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Roger Malvin's Burial
ThetaleofReuben’scourageandfidelitylostnothingwhenshecommunicatedittoherfriends;andthepooryouth,totteringfromhissickchambertobreathethesunnyair,experiencedfromeverytonguethemiserableandhumiliatingtortureofunmeritedpraise.Allacknowledgedthathemightworthilydemandthehandofthefairmaidentowhosefatherhehadbeen"faithfuluntodeath;"and,asmytaleisnotoflove,itshallsufficetosaythatinthespaceofafewmonthsReubenbecamethehusbandofDorcasMalvin.Duringthemarriageceremonythebridewascoveredwithblushes,butthebridegroom’sfacewaspale.
TherewasnowinthebreastofReubenBourneanincommunicablethought—somethingwhichhewastoconcealmostheedfullyfromherwhomhemostlovedandtrusted.Heregretted,deeplyandbitterly,themoralcowardicethathadrestrainedhiswordswhenhewasabouttodisclosethetruthtoDorcas;butpride,thefearoflosingheraffection,thedreadofuniversalscorn,forbadehimtorectifythisfalsehood.HefeltthatforleavingRogerMalvinhedeservednocensure.Hispresence,thegratuitoussacrificeofhisownlife,wouldhaveaddedonlyanotherandaneedlessagonytothelastmomentsofthedyingman;butconcealmenthadimpartedtoajustifiableactmuchofthesecreteffectofguilt;andReuben,whilereasontoldhimthathehaddoneright,experiencedinnosmalldegreethementalhorrorswhichpunishtheperpetratorofundiscoveredcrime.Byacertainassociationofideas,heattimesalmostimaginedhimselfamurderer.
