I say , Amy , is n't this quite an adventure ? '' At last the plate was dry , and I printed two proofs . We wrapped them up carefully and marched down to Mr. Carroll 's . You never saw people so overcome with astonishment as the Carrolls were when Cecil , with the air of a statesman unfolding the evidence of some dreadful conspiracy against the peace and welfare of the nation , produced the plate and the proofs , and held them out before them . Mr. Carroll and Cecil took the proofs and went over to the Brooke shanty . They found only Ned and his mother at home . At first Ned , when taxed with his guilt , denied it , but when Mr. Carroll confronted him with the proofs , he broke down in a spasm of terror and confessed all . His mother produced the pocketbook and the money -- they had not dared to spend a single cent of it -- and Mr. Carroll went home in triumph . Perhaps Ned Brooke ought not to have been let off so easily as he was , but his mother cried and pleaded , and Mr. Carroll was too kind-hearted to resist . So he did not punish them at all , save by utterly discarding the whole family and their concerns . The place got too hot for them after the story came out , and in less than a month all moved away -- much to the benefit of Mapleton . In Spite of Myself My trunk was packed and I had arranged with my senior partner -- I was the junior member of a law firm -- for a month 's vacation . Aunt Lucy had written that her husband had gone on a sea trip and she wished me to superintend the business of his farm and mills in his absence , if I could arrange to do so . She added that `` Gussie '' thought it was a pity to trouble me , and wanted to do the overseeing herself , but that she -- Aunt Lucy -- preferred to have a man at the head of affairs . I had never seen my step-cousin , Augusta Ashley , but I knew , from Aunt Lucy 's remarks concerning her , pretty much what sort of person she was -- just the precise kind I disliked immeasurably . I had no idea what her age was , but doubtless she was over thirty , tall , determined , aggressive , with a `` faculty '' for managing , a sharp , probing nose , and a y-formation between her eyebrows . I knew the type , and I was assured that the period of sojourn with my respected aunt would be one of strife between Miss Ashley and myself . I wrote to Aunt Lucy to expect me , made all necessary arrangements , and went to bid Nellie goodbye . I had made up my mind to marry Nellie . I had never openly avowed myself her suitor , but we were cousins , and had grown up together , so that I knew her well enough to be sure of my ground .
I liked her so well XXXXX it was easy to persuade myself that I was in love with her .
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