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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Capitola's Peril, by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Capitola's Peril
+       A Sequel to 'The Hidden Hand'
+
+Author: Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth
+
+Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24337]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPITOLA'S PERIL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was not in the original text
+and has been generated for the convenience of the reader of this E-Book.
+
+
+
+
+_CAPITOLA'S PERIL_
+
+A Sequel to "The Hidden Hand"
+
+
+
+By
+
+MRS. E.D.E.N. SOUTHWORTH
+
+Author of
+
+"Ishmael," "Self-Raised," "Cruel as the Grave,"
+"Tried for Her Life," Etc.
+
+
+
+    "And such a night "she" took the road in
+    As ne'er poor sinner was abroad in.
+
+         *     *     *     *     *
+
+    That night a child might understand
+    The de'il had business on his hand."
+
+                          --_Burns._
+
+
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY, Publishers
+NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+Chapter
+     I.  THE ORPHAN'S TRIAL.
+    II.  OLD HURRICANE STORMS.
+   III.  CAP'S VISIT TO THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+    IV.  THE HIDDEN HOLLOW.
+     V.  THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+    VI.  THE INMATE OF THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+   VII.  CAP'S RETURN.
+  VIII.  ANOTHER MYSTERY AT THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+    IX.  CAP FREES THE CAPTIVE.
+     X.  CAP IN CAPTIVITY.
+    XI.  AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR AT MARAH'S COTTAGE.
+   XII.  CAP "RESTS ON HER LAURELS" AND "SPOILS FOR A FIGHT."
+  XIII.  BLACK DONALD.
+  XIV.  GLORY.
+    XV.  CAP CAPTIVATES A CRAVEN.
+   XVI.  CAP'S RAGE.
+  XVII.  CAPITOLA CAPS THE CLIMAX.
+ XVIII.  BLACK DONALD'S LAST ATTEMPT.
+   XIX.  THE AWFUL PERIL OF CAPITOLA.
+    XX.  THE NEXT MORNING.
+   XXI.  A FATAL HATRED.
+  XXII.  THE COURT-MARTIAL.
+ XXIII.  THE VERDICT.
+  XXIV.  THE END OF THE WAR.
+   XXV.  THE FORTUNATE BATH.
+  XXVI.  THE MYSTERIOUS MANIAC.
+ XXVII.  THE MANIAC'S STORY.
+XXVIII.  END OF THE LADY'S STORY.
+  XXIX.  PROSPECTS BRIGHTEN.
+   XXX.  CAPITOLA A CAPITALIST.
+  XXXI.  "THERE SHALL BE LIGHT AT THE EVENTIDE."
+
+
+
+
+CAPITOLA'S PERIL.
+
+A Sequel to THE HIDDEN HAND.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE ORPHAN'S TRIAL.
+
+    "We met ere yet the world had come
+      To wither up the springs of youth,
+    Amid the holy joys of home,
+      And in the first warm blush of youth.
+    We parted as they never part,
+      Whose tears are doomed to be forgot;
+    Oh, by what agony of heart
+      Forget me not!--forget me not!"
+
+                          --_Anonymous._
+
+
+At nine o'clock the next morning Traverse went to the library to keep
+his tryst with Colonel Le Noir.
+
+Seated in the doctor's leathern chair, with his head thrown back, his
+nose erect and his white and jeweled hand caressing his mustached chin,
+the colonel awaited the young man's communication.
+
+With a slight bow Traverse took a chair and drew it up to the table,
+seated himself and, after a little hesitation, commenced, and in a
+modest and self-respectful manner announced that he was charged with
+the last verbal instructions from the doctor to the executor of his
+will.
+
+Colonel Le Noir left off caressing his chin for an instant, and, with a
+wave of his dainty hand, silently intimated that the young man should
+proceed.
+
+Traverse then began and delivered the dying directions of the late
+doctor, to the effect that his daughter Clara Day should not be removed
+from the paternal mansion, but that she should be suffered to remain
+there, retaining as a matronly companion her old friend Mrs. Marah
+Rocke.
+
+"Umm! umm! very ingenious, upon my word!" commented the colonel, still
+caressing his chin.
+
+"I have now delivered my whole message, sir, and have only to add that
+I hope, for Miss Day's sake, there will be no difficulty thrown in the
+way of the execution of her father's last wishes, which are also, sir,
+very decidedly her own," said Traverse.
+
+"Umm! doubtless they are--and also yours and your worthy mother's."
+
+"Sir, Miss Day's will in this matter is certainly mine. Apart from the
+consideration of her pleasure, my wishes need not be consulted. As soon
+as I have seen Miss Day made comfortable I leave for the far West,"
+said Traverse, with much dignity.
+
+"Umm! and leave mama here to guard the golden prize until your return,
+eh?" sneered the colonel.
+
+"Sir, I do not--wish to understand you," said Traverse with a flushed
+brow.
+
+"Possibly not, my excellent young friend," said the colonel,
+ironically; then, rising from his chair and elevating his voice, he
+cried, "but I, sir, understand you and your mother and your pretty
+scheme perfectly! Very ingenious invention, these 'last verbal
+instructions.' Very pretty plan to entrap an heiress; but it shall not
+avail you, adventurers that you are! This afternoon Sauter, the
+confidential attorney of my late brother-in-law, will be here with the
+will, which shall be read in the presence of the assembled household.
+If these last verbal directions are also to be found duplicated in the
+will, very good, they shall be obeyed; if not, they shall be
+discredited."
+
+During this speech Traverse stood with kindling eyes and blazing
+cheeks, scarcely able to master his indignation; yet, to his credit be
+it spoken, he did "rule his own spirit" and replied with dignity and
+calmness:
+
+"Colonel Le Noir, my testimony in regard to the last wishes of Doctor
+Day can, if necessary, be supported by other evidence--though I do not
+believe that any man who did not himself act in habitual disregard of
+truth would wantonly question the veracity of another."
+
+"Sir! this to me!" exclaimed Le Noir, growing white with rage and
+making a step toward the young man.
+
+"Yes, Colonel Le Noir, that to you! And this in addition; You have
+presumed to charge my mother, in connection with myself, with being an
+adventuress; with forming dishonorable 'schemes,' and in so charging
+her, Colonel Le Noir, you utter a falsehood!"
+
+"Sirrah!" cried Le Noir, striding toward Traverse and raising his hand
+over his head, with a fearful oath, "retract your words or----"
+
+Traverse calmly drew himself up, folded his arms and replied coolly:
+
+"I am no brawler, Colonel Le Noir; the pistol and the bowie-knife are
+as strange to my hands as abusive epithets and profane language are to
+my lips; nevertheless, instead of retracting my words, I repeat and
+reiterate them. If you charge my mother with conspiracy you utter a
+falsehood. As her son I am in duty bound to say as much."
+
+"Villain!" gasped Le Noir, shaking his fist and choking with rage;
+"villain! you shall repent this in every vein of your body!"
+
+Then, seizing his hat, he strode from the room.
+
+"Boaster!" said Traverse to himself, as he also left the library by
+another door.
+
+Clara was waiting for him in the little parlor below.
+
+"Well, well, dear Traverse," she said, as he entered. "You have had the
+explanation with my guardian, and--he makes no objection to carrying
+out the last directions of my father and our own wishes--he is willing
+to leave me here?"
+
+"My dear girl, Colonel Le Noir defers all decision until the reading of
+the will, which is to take place this afternoon," said Traverse,
+unwilling to add to her distress by recounting the disgraceful scene
+that had just taken place in the library.
+
+"Oh! these delays! these delays! Heaven give me patience! Yet I do not
+know why I should be so uneasy. It is only a form; of course he will
+regard my father's wishes."
+
+"I do not see well how he can avoid doing so, especially as Doctor
+Williams is another witness to them, and I shall request the doctor's
+attendance here this afternoon. Dear Clara, keep up your spirits! A few
+hours now and all will be well," said Traverse, as he drew on his
+gloves and took his hat to go on his morning round of calls.
+
+An early dinner was ordered, for the purpose of giving ample time in
+the afternoon for the reading of the will.
+
+Owing to the kind forbearance of each member of this little family,
+their meeting with their guest at the table was not so awkward as it
+might have been rendered. Mrs. Rocke had concealed the insults that had
+been offered her; Traverse had said nothing of the affronts put upon
+him. So that each, having only their own private injuries to resent,
+felt free in forbearing. Nothing but this sort of prudence on the part
+of individuals rendered their meeting around one board possible.
+
+While they were still at the table the attorney, Mr. Sauter, with
+Doctors Williams and Dawson, arrived, and was shown into the library.
+
+And very soon after the dessert was put upon the table the family left
+it and, accompanied by Colonel Le Noir, adjourned to the library. After
+the usual salutations they arranged themselves along each side of an
+extension table, at the head of which the attorney placed himself.
+
+In the midst of a profound silence the will was opened and read. It was
+dated three years before.
+
+The bulk of his estate, after the paying a few legacies, was left to
+his esteemed brother-in-law, Gabriel Le Noir, in trust for his only
+daughter, Clara Day, until the latter should attain the age of
+twenty-one, at which period she was to come into possession of the
+property. Then followed the distribution of the legacies. Among the
+rest the sum of a thousand dollars was left to his young friend
+Traverse Rocke, and another thousand to his esteemed neighbor Marah
+Rocke. Gabriel Le Noir was appointed sole executor of the will, trustee
+of the property and guardian of the heiress.
+
+At the conclusion of the reading Mr. Sauter folded the document and
+laid it upon the table.
+
+Colonel Le Noir arose and said:
+
+"The will of the late Doctor Day has been read in your presence. I
+presume you all heard it, and that there can be no mistake as to its
+purport. All that remains now is to act upon it. I shall claim the
+usual privilege of twelve months before administering upon the estate
+or paying the legacies. In the mean time, I shall assume the charge of
+my ward's person, and convey her to my own residence, known as the
+Hidden House. Mrs. Rocke," he said, turning toward the latter, "your
+presence and that of your young charge is no longer required here. Be
+so good as to prepare Miss Day's traveling trunks, as we set out from
+this place to-morrow morning."
+
+Mrs. Rocke started, looked wistfully in the face of the speaker and,
+seeing that he was in determined earnest, turned her appealing glances
+toward Traverse and Doctor Williams.
+
+As for Clara, her face, previously blanched with grief, was now flushed
+with indignation. In her sudden distress and perplexity she knew not at
+once what to do--whether to utter a protest or continue silent; whether
+to leave the room or remain. Her embarrassment was perceived by
+Traverse, who, stooping, whispered to her:
+
+"Be calm, love; all shall be well. Doctor Williams is about to speak."
+
+And at that moment, indeed, Doctor Williams arose and said:
+
+"I have, Colonel Le Noir to endorse a dying message from Doctor Day
+entrusted to my young friend here to be delivered to you, to the effect
+that it was his last desire and request that his daughter, Miss Clara
+Day, should be permitted to reside during the term of her minority in
+this her patrimonial home, under the care of her present matronly
+friend, Mrs. Marah Rocke, Doctor Rocke and myself are here to bear
+testimony to these, the last wishes of the departed, which wishes, I
+believe, also express the desires of his heiress."
+
+"Oh, yes, yes!" said Clara, earnestly. "I do very much desire to remain
+in my own home, among my old familiar friends. My dear father only
+consulted my comfort and happiness when he left these instructions."
+
+"There can be, therefore, no reason why Miss Day should be disturbed in
+her present home," said Traverse.
+
+Colonel Le Noir smiled grimly, saying:
+
+"I am sorry, Doctor Williams, to differ with you or to distress Miss
+Day. But if, as she says, her lamented father consulted her pleasure in
+those last instructions, he certainly consulted nothing else--not the
+proprieties of conventionalism, the opinion of the world, nor the
+future welfare of his daughter. Therefore, as a man of Doctor Day's
+high position and character in his sane moments never could have made
+such a singular arrangement, I am forced to the conclusion that he
+could not, at the time of giving those instructions, have been in his
+right mind. Consequently, I cannot venture to act upon any 'verbal
+instructions,' however well attested, but shall be guided in every
+respect by the will, executed while yet the testator was in sound body
+and mind."
+
+"Doctor Rocke and myself are both physicians competent to certify that,
+at the time of leaving these directions, our respected friend was
+perfectly sound in mind at least," said Doctor Williams.
+
+"That, sir, I repeat, I contest. And, acting upon the authority of the
+will, I shall proceed to take charge of my ward as well as of her
+estate. And as I think this house, under all the circumstances, a very
+improper place for her to remain, I shall convey her without delay to
+my own home. Mrs. Rocke, I believe I requested you to see to the
+packing of Miss Day's trunks."
+
+"Oh, heaven! shall this wrong be permitted?" ejaculated Marah.
+
+"Mrs. Rocke, I will not go unless absolutely forced to do so by a
+decree of the court. I shall get Doctor Williams to make an appeal for
+me to the Orphans' Court," said Clara, by way of encouraging her
+friend.
+
+"My dear Miss Day, that, I hope, will not be required. Colonel Le Noir
+acts under a misapprehension of the circumstances. We must enter into
+more explanations with him. In the mean time, my dear young lady, it is
+better that you should obey him for the present, at least so far as
+retiring from the room," said Doctor Williams.
+
+Clara immediately rose and, requesting Mrs. Rocke to accompany her,
+withdrew from the library.
+
+Doctor Williams then said:
+
+"I advised the retirement of the young lady, having a communication to
+make the hearing of which in a mixed company might have cost her an
+innocent blush. But first I would ask you, Colonel Le Noir, what are
+those circumstances to which you allude which render Miss Day's
+residence here, in her patrimonial mansion, with her old and faithful
+friends, so improper?" inquired Doctor Williams, courteously.
+
+"The growing intimacy, sir, between herself and a very objectionable
+party--this young man Rocke!" replied Colonel Le Noir.
+
+"Ah! and is that all?"
+
+"It is enough, sir," said Colonel Le Noir, loftily.
+
+"Then suppose I should inform you, sir, that this young man, Doctor
+Rocke, was brought up and educated at Doctor Day's cost and under his
+own immediate eye?"
+
+"Then, sir, you would only inform me that an eccentric gentleman of
+fortune had done--what eccentric gentlemen of fortune will sometimes
+do--educated a pauper."
+
+At this opprobrious epithet Traverse, with a flushed face, started to
+his feet.
+
+"Sit down, my boy, sit down; leave me to deal with this man," said
+Doctor Williams, forcing Traverse back into his seat. Then, turning to
+Colonel Le Noir, he said:
+
+"But suppose, sir, that such was the estimation in which Doctor Day
+held the moral and intellectual worth of his young protégé that he
+actually gave him his daughter?"
+
+"I cannot suppose an impossibility, Doctor Williams," replied Colonel
+Le Noir, haughtily.
+
+"Then, sir, I have the pleasure of startling you a little by a prodigy
+that you denominate an impossibility! Clara Day and Traverse Rocke were
+betrothed with full knowledge and cordial approbation of the young
+lady's father."
+
+"Impossible! preposterous! I shall countenance no such ridiculous
+absurdity!" said Colonel Le Noir, growing red in the face.
+
+"Miss Day, Doctor Rocke, Mrs. Rocke, and myself are witnesses to that
+fact."
+
+"The young lady and the young man are parties immediately concerned--they
+cannot be received as witnesses in their own case; Mrs. Rocke is too much
+in their interest for her evidence to be taken; you, sir, I consider the
+dupe of these cunning conspirators--mother and son," replied Colonel Le
+Noir, firmly.
+
+"Tut!" said Doctor Williams, almost out of patience. "I do not depend
+upon the words of Miss Day and her friends, although I hold their
+veracity to be above question; I had Doctor Day's dying words to the
+same effect. And he mentioned the existing betrothal as the very reason
+why Clara should remain here in the care of her future mother-in-law."
+
+"Then, sir, that the doctor should have spoken and acted thus, is only
+another and a stronger reason for believing him to have been deranged
+in his last moments! You need give yourself no farther trouble! I shall
+act upon the authority of this instrument which I hold in my hand,"
+replied Colonel Le Noir, haughtily.
+
+"Then, as the depository of the dying man's last wishes and as the next
+friend of his injured daughter, I shall make an appeal to the Orphans'
+Court," said Doctor Williams, coldly.
+
+"You can do as you please about that; but in the mean time, acting upon
+the authority of the will, I shall to-morrow morning set out with my
+ward for my own home."
+
+"There may be time to arrest that journey," said Doctor Williams,
+arising and taking his hat to go.
+
+In the passage he met Mrs. Rocke.
+
+"Dear Doctor Williams," said Mrs. Rocke, earnestly, "pray come up to
+poor Clara's room and speak to her, if you can possibly say anything to
+comfort her; she is weeping herself into a fit of illness at the bare
+thought of being, so soon after her dreadful bereavement, torn away
+from her home and friends."
+
+"Tut! tut! no use in weeping! all will yet be right."
+
+"You have persuaded that man to permit her to remain here, then?" said
+Marah, gladly.
+
+"Persuaded him! no, nor even undertaken to do so! I never saw him
+before to-day, yet I would venture to say, from what I have now seen of
+him, that he never was persuaded by any agent except his own passions
+and interests, to any act whatever. No, I have endeavored to show him
+that we have law as well as justice on our side, and even now I am
+afraid I shall have to take the case before the Orphans' Court before I
+can convince him. He purposes removing Clara to-morrow morning. I will
+endeavor to see the Judge of the Orphans' Court to-night, take out a
+habeas corpus, ordering Le Noir to bring his ward into court, and serve
+it on him as he passes through Staunton on his way home."
+
+"But is there no way of preventing him from taking Clara away from the
+house to-morrow morning."
+
+"No good way. No, madam, it is best that all things should be done
+decently and in order. I advise you, as I shall also advise my young
+friends, Traverse and Clara, not to injure their own cause by unwise
+impatience or opposition. We should go before the Orphans' Court with
+the very best aspect."
+
+"Come, then, and talk to Clara. She has the most painful antipathy to
+the man who claims the custody of her person, as well as the most
+distressing reluctance to leaving her dear home and friends; and all
+this, in addition to her recent heavy affliction, almost overwhelms the
+poor child," said Mrs. Rocke, weeping.
+
+"I will go at once and do what I can to soothe her," said Doctor
+Williams, following Mrs. Rocke, who led him up to Clara's room.
+
+They found her prostrate upon her bed, crushed with grief.
+
+"Come, come, my dear girl, this is too bad! It is not like the usual
+noble fortitude of our Clara," said the old man, kindly taking her
+hand.
+
+"Oh, Doctor, forgive--forgive me! but my courage must have been very
+small, for I fear it is all gone. But then, indeed, everything comes on
+me at once. My dear, dear father's death; then the approaching
+departure and expected long absence of Traverse! All that was grievous
+enough to bear; and now to be torn away from the home of my childhood,
+and from the friend that has always been a mother to me, and by a man,
+from whom every true, good instinct of my nature teaches me to shrink.
+I, who have always had full liberty in the house of my dear father, to
+be forced away against my will by this man, as if I were his slave!"
+exclaimed Clara, bursting into fresh tears of indignation and grief.
+
+"Clara, my dear, dear girl, this impatience and rebellion is so unlike
+your gentle nature that I can scarcely recognize you for the mild and
+dignified daughter of my old friend. Clara, if the saints in heaven
+could grieve at anything, I should think your dear father would be
+grieved to see you thus!" said the old man in gentle rebuke that
+immediately took effect upon the meek and conscientious maiden.
+
+"Oh! I feel--I feel that I am doing very wrong, but I cannot help it. I
+scarcely know myself in this agony of mingled grief, indignation and
+terror--yes, terror--for every instinct of my nature teaches me to
+distrust and fear that man, in whom my father must have been greatly
+deceived before he could have entrusted him with the guardianship of
+his only child."
+
+"I think that quite likely," said the old man; "yet, my dear, even in
+respect to your dear father's memory, you must try to bear this trial
+patiently."
+
+"Oh, yes, I know I must. Dear father, if you can look down and see me
+now, forgive your poor Clara, her anger and her impatience. She will
+try to be worthy of the rearing you have given her and to bear even
+this great trial with the spirit worthy of your daughter!" said Clara
+within her own heart; then, speaking up, she said: "You shall have no
+more reason to reprove me, Doctor Williams."
+
+"That is my brave girl! That is my dear Clara Day! And now, when your
+guardian directs you to prepare yourself for your journey, obey him--go
+with him without making any objection. I purpose to arrest your journey
+at Staunton with a habeas corpus that he dare not resist, and which
+shall compel him to bring you into the Orphans' Court. There our side
+shall be heard, and the decision will rest with the judge."
+
+"And all will be well! Oh, say that, sir! to give me the courage to act
+with becoming docility," pleaded Clara.
+
+"I have not a doubt in this world that it will all be right, for,
+however Colonel Le Noir may choose to disregard the last wishes of your
+father, as attested by myself and young Rocke, I have not the least
+idea that the judge will pass them over. On the contrary, I feel
+persuaded that he will confirm them by sending you back here to your
+beloved home."
+
+"Oh, may heaven grant it!" said Clara. "You do, indeed, give me new
+life."
+
+"Yes, yes, be cheerful, my dear; trust in Providence and expect nothing
+short of the best! And now I dare not tarry longer with you, for I must
+see the Judge at his house this night. Good-by, my dear; keep up a good
+heart!" said the old man cheerfully, pressing her hand and taking his
+leave.
+
+Mrs. Rocke accompanied him to the hall door.
+
+"My dear madam, keep up your spirits also for the sake of your young
+charge! Make her go to bed early! To-morrow, when she thinks she is
+about to be torn from you forever, remind her in her ear that I shall
+meet the carriage at Staunton with a power that shall turn the horses'
+heads."
+
+And so saying, the worthy old gentleman departed.
+
+As Marah Rocke looked after him, she also saw with alarm that Colonel
+Le Noir had mounted his horse and galloped off in the direction of
+Staunton, as if impelled by the most urgent haste.
+
+She returned to the bedside of Clara, and left her no more that night.
+As the colonel did not return to supper, they, the family party, had
+their tea in Clara's room.
+
+Late at night Mrs. Rocke heard Colonel Le Noir come into the house and
+enter his chamber.
+
+Poor Clara slept no more that night; anxiety, despite of all her
+efforts, kept her wide awake. Yet, though anxious and wakeful, yet by
+prayer and endeavor she had brought her mind into a patient and
+submissive mood, so that when a servant knocked at her door in the
+morning with a message from Colonel Le Noir that she should be ready to
+set forth immediately after breakfast, she replied that she should obey
+him, and without delay she arose and commenced her toilet.
+
+All the family met for the last time around the board. The party was
+constrained. The meal was a gloomy one. On rising from the table
+Colonel Le Noir informed his ward that his traveling carriage was
+waiting, and that her baggage was already on, and requested her to put
+on her bonnet and mantle, and take leave of her servants.
+
+Clara turned to obey--Traverse went to her side and whispered:
+
+"Take courage, dear love. My horse is saddled. I shall ride in
+attendance upon the carriage whether that man likes it or not; nor lose
+sight of you for one moment until we meet Williams with his habeas
+corpus."
+
+"Nor even then, dear Traverse, nor even then! You will attend me to the
+court and be ready to take me back to this dear, dear home!" murmured
+Clara in reply.
+
+"Yes, yes, dear girl! There, be cheerful," whispered the young man, as
+he pressed her hand and released it.
+
+Colonel Le Noir had been a silent but frowning spectator of this little
+scene, and now that Clara was leaving the room, attended by Mrs. Rocke,
+he called the latter back, saying:
+
+"You will be so kind as to stop here a moment, Mrs. Rocke and you also,
+young man."
+
+The mother and son paused to hear what he should have to say.
+
+"I believe it is the custom here in discharging domestics to give a
+month's warning, or in lieu of that, to pay a month's wages in advance.
+There, woman, is the money. You will oblige me by leaving the house
+to-day, together with your son and all your other trumpery, as the
+premises are put in charge of an agent, who will be here this
+afternoon, clothed with authority to eject all loiterers and
+intruders."
+
+While the colonel spoke Marah Rocke gazed at him in a panic from which
+she seemed unable to rouse herself, until Traverse gravely took her
+hand, saying:
+
+"My dear mother, let me conduct you from the presence of this man, who
+does not know how to behave himself toward women. Leave me to talk with
+him, and do you, dear mother, go to Miss Day, who I know is waiting for
+you."
+
+Marah Rocke mechanically complied and allowed Traverse to lead her from
+the room.
+
+When he returned he went up to Colonel Le Noir, and, standing before
+him and looking him full and sternly in the face, said, as sternly:
+
+"Colonel Le Noir, my mother will remain here and abide the decision of
+the Orphans' Court; until that has been pronounced, she does not stir
+at your or any man's bidding!"
+
+"Villain, out of my way!" sneered Le Noir, endeavoring to pass him.
+
+Traverse prevented him, saying:
+
+"Sir, in consideration of your age, which should be venerable, your
+position which should prove you honorable, and of this sacred house of
+mourning in which you stand, I have endeavored to meet all the insults
+you have offered me with forbearance. But, sir, I am here to defend my
+mother's rights and to protect her from insult! And I tell you plainly
+that you have affronted her for the very last time! One more word or
+look of insult leveled at Marah Rocke and neither your age, position
+nor this sacred roof shall protect you from personal chastisement at
+the hands of her son!"
+
+Le Noir, who had listened in angry scorn, with many an ejaculation of
+contempt, now at the conclusion which so galled his pride, broke out
+furiously, with:
+
+"Sir, you are a bully! If you were a gentleman I would call you out!"
+
+"And I should not come if you did, sir! Dueling is unchristian,
+barbarous and abominable in the sight of God and all good men. For the
+rest you may call me anything you please; but do not again insult my
+mother, for if you do I shall hold it a Christian duty to teach you
+better manners," said Traverse, coolly taking his hat and walking from
+the room. He mounted his horse and stood ready to attend Clara to
+Staunton.
+
+Colonel Le Noir ground his teeth in impotent rage, muttering:
+
+"Take care, young man! I shall live to be revenged upon you yet for
+these affronts!" and his dastard heart burned with the fiercer
+malignity that he had not dared to meet the eagle eye, or encounter the
+strong arm of the upright and stalwart young man. Gnashing his teeth
+with ill-suppressed fury, he strode into the hall just as Mrs. Rocke
+and Clara, in her traveling dress, descended the stairs.
+
+Clara threw her arms around Mrs. Rocke's neck, and, weeping, said:
+
+"Good-by, dear, best friend--good-by! Heaven grant it may not be for
+long! Oh, pray for me, that I may be sent back to you!"
+
+"May the Lord have you in His holy keeping, my child! I shall pray
+until I hear from you!" said Marah, kissing and releasing her.
+
+Colonel Le Noir then took her by the hand, led her out, and put her
+into the carriage.
+
+Just before entering Clara had turned to take a last look at her old
+home--all, friends and servants, noticed the sorrowful, anxious, almost
+despairing look of her pale face, which seemed to ask:
+
+"Ah, shall I ever, ever return to you, dear old home, and dear,
+familiar friends?"
+
+In another instant she had disappeared within the carriage, which
+immediately rolled off.
+
+As the carriage was heavily laden, and the road was in a very bad
+condition, it was a full hour before they reached the town of Staunton.
+As the carriage drew up for a few moments before the door of the
+principal hotel, and Colonel Le Noir was in the act of stepping out, a
+sheriff's officer, accompanied by Dr. Williams, approached, and served
+upon the colonel a writ of habeas corpus, commanding him to bring his
+ward, Clara Day, into court.
+
+Colonel Le Noir laughed scornfully, saying:
+
+"And do any of you imagine this will serve your purposes? Ha, ha! The
+most that it can do will be to delay my journey for a few hours until
+the decision of the judge, which will only serve to confirm my
+authority beyond all future possibility of questioning."
+
+"We will see to that," said Doctor Williams.
+
+"Drive to the Court House!" ordered Colonel Le Noir.
+
+And the carriage, attended by Traverse Rocke, Doctor Williams and the
+Sheriff's officer, each on horseback, drove thither.
+
+And now, reader, I will not trouble you with a detailed account of this
+trial. Clara, clothed in deep mourning, and looking pale and terrified,
+was led into the court room on the arm of her guardian. She was
+followed closely by her friends, Traverse Rocke and Doctor Williams,
+each of whom whispered encouraging words to the orphan.
+
+As the court had no pressing business on its hands, the case was
+immediately taken up, the will was read and attested by the attorney
+who had drawn it up and the witnesses who had signed it. Then the
+evidence of Doctor Williams and Doctor Rocke was taken concerning the
+last verbal instructions of the deceased. The case occupied about three
+hours, at the end of which the judge gave a decision in favor of
+Colonel Le Noir.
+
+This judgment carried consternation to the heart of Clara and of all
+her friends.
+
+Clara herself sank fainting in the arms of her old friend, the
+venerable Doctor Williams.
+
+Traverse, in bitterness of spirit, approached and bent over her.
+
+Colonel Le Noir spoke to the judge.
+
+"I deeply thank your honor for the prompt hearing and equally prompt
+decision of this case, and I will beg your honor to order the Sheriff
+and his officers to see your judgment carried into effect, as I foresee
+violent opposition, and wish to prevent trouble."
+
+"Certainly. Mr. Sheriff, you will see that Colonel Le Noir is put in
+possession of his ward, and protected in that right until he shall have
+placed her in security," said the judge.
+
+Clara, on hearing these words, lifted her head from the old man's
+bosom, nerved her gentle heart, and in a clear, sweet, steady voice
+said:
+
+"It is needless precaution, your honor; my friends are no law-breakers,
+and since the court has given me into the custody of my guardian, I do
+not dispute its judgment. I yield myself up to Colonel Le Noir."
+
+"You do well, young lady," said the judge.
+
+"I am pleased, Miss Day, to see that you understand and perform your
+duty; believe me, I shall do all that I can to make you happy," said
+Colonel Le Noir.
+
+Clara replied by a gentle nod, and then, with a slight blush mantling
+her pure cheeks she advanced a step and placed herself immediately in
+front of the judge, saying:
+
+"But there is a word that I would speak to your honor."
+
+"Say on, young lady," said the judge.
+
+And as she stood there in her deep mourning dress, with her fair hair
+unbound and floating softly around her pale, sweet face, every eye in
+that court was spellbound by her almost unearthly beauty. Before
+proceeding with what she was about to say, she turned upon Traverse a
+look that brought him immediately to her side.
+
+"Your honor," she began, in a low, sweet, clear tone, "I owe it to
+Doctor Rocke here present, who has been sadly misrepresented to you, to
+say (what, under less serious circumstances, my girl's heart would
+shrink from avowing so publicly) that I am his betrothed wife--sacredly
+betrothed to him by almost the last act of my dear father's life. I
+hold this engagement to be so holy that no earthly tribunal can break
+or disturb it. And while I bend to your honor's decision, and yield
+myself to the custody of my legal guardian for the period of my
+minority, I here declare to all who may be interested, that I hold my
+hand and heart irrevocably pledged to Doctor Rocke, and that, as his
+betrothed wife, I shall consider myself bound to correspond with him
+regularly, and to receive him as often as he shall seek my society,
+until my majority, when I and all that I possess will become his own.
+And these words I force myself to speak, your honor, both in justice to
+my dear lost father and his friend, Traverse Rocke, and also to myself,
+that hereafter no one may venture to accuse me of clandestine
+proceedings, or distort my actions into improprieties, or in any manner
+call in question the conduct of my father's daughter." And, with
+another gentle bow, Clara retired to the side of her old friend.
+
+"You are likely to have a troublesome charge in your ward," said the
+sheriff apart to the colonel, who shrugged his shoulders by way of
+reply.
+
+The heart of Traverse was torn by many conflicting passions, emotions
+and impulses; there was indignation at the decision of the court; grief
+for the loss of Clara, and dread for her future!
+
+One instant he felt a temptation to denounce the guardian as a villain
+and to charge the judge with being a corrupt politician, whose
+decisions were swayed by party interests!
+
+The next moment he felt an impulse to catch Clara up in his arms, fight
+his way through the crowd and carry her off! But all these wild
+emotions, passions and impulses he succeeded in controlling.
+
+Too well he knew that to rage, do violence, or commit extravagance as
+he might, the law would take its course all the same.
+
+While his heart was torn in this manner, Colonel Le Noire was urging
+the departure of his ward. And Clara came to her lover's side and said,
+gravely and sweetly:
+
+"The law, you see, has decided against us, dear Traverse. Let us bend
+gracefully to a decree that we cannot annul! It cannot, at least, alter
+our sacred relations; nor can anything on earth shake our steadfast
+faith in each other; let us take comfort in that, and in the thought
+that the years will surely roll round at length and bring the time that
+shall reunite us."
+
+"Oh, my angel-girl! My angel-girl! Your patient heroism puts me to the
+blush, for my heart is crushed in my bosom and my firmness quite gone!"
+said Traverse, in a broken voice.
+
+"You will gain firmness, dear Traverse. 'Patient!' I patient! You
+should have heard me last night! I was so impatient that Doctor
+Williams had to lecture me. But it would be strange if one did not
+learn something by suffering. I have been trying all night and day to
+school my heart to submission, and I hope I have succeeded, Traverse.
+Bless me and bid me good-by."
+
+"The Lord forever bless and keep you, my own dear angel, Clara!" burst
+from the lips of Traverse. "The Lord abundantly bless you!"
+
+"And you," said Clara.
+
+"Good-by!--good-by!"
+
+"Good-by!"
+
+And thus they parted.
+
+Clara was hurried away and put into the carriage by her guardian.
+
+Ah, no one but the Lord knew how much it had cost that poor girl to
+maintain her fortitude during that trying scene. She had controlled
+herself for the sake of her friends. But now, when she found herself in
+the carriage, her long strained nerves gave way--she sank exhausted and
+prostrated into the corner of her seat, in the utter collapse of woe!
+
+But leaving the travelers to pursue their journey, we must go back to
+Traverse.
+
+Almost broken-hearted, Traverse returned to Willow Heights to convey
+the sad tidings of his disappointment to his mother's ear.
+
+Marah Rocke was so overwhelmed with grief at the news that she was for
+several hours incapable of action.
+
+The arrival of the house agent was the first event that recalled her to
+her senses.
+
+She aroused herself to action, and, assisted by Traverse, set to work
+to pack up her own and his wardrobe and other personal effects.
+
+And the next morning Marah Rocke was re-established in her cottage.
+
+And the next week, having equally divided their little capital, the
+mother and son parted--Traverse, by her express desire, keeping to his
+original plan, set out for the far West.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+OLD HURRICANE STORMS.
+
+    "At this sir knight flamed up with ire!
+    His great chest heaved! his eyes flashed fire.
+    The crimson that suffused his face
+    To deepest purple now gave place."
+
+
+Who can describe the frenzy of Old Hurricane upon discovering the fraud
+that had been practised upon him by Black Donald?
+
+It was told him the next morning in his tent, at his breakfast table,
+in the presence of his assembled family, by the Rev. Mr. Goodwin.
+
+Upon first hearing it, he was incapable of anything but blank staring,
+until it seemed as though his eyes must start from their sockets!
+
+Then his passion, "not loud but deep," found utterance only in emphatic
+thumps of his walking stick upon the ground!
+
+Then, as the huge emotion worked upward, it broke out in grunts, groans
+and inarticulate exclamations!
+
+Finally it burst forth as follows:
+
+"Ugh! ugh! ugh! Fool! dolt! blockhead! Brute that I've been! I wish
+somebody would punch my wooden head! I didn't think the demon himself
+could have deceived me so! Ugh! Nobody but the demon could have done
+it! and he is the demon! The very demon himself! He does not
+disguise--he transforms himself! Ugh! ugh! ugh! that I should have been
+such a donkey!"
+
+"Sir, compose yourself! We are all liable to suffer deception," said
+Mr. Goodwin.
+
+"Sir," broke forth Old Hurricane, in fury, "that wretch has eaten at my
+table! Has drunk wine with me!! Has slept in my bed!!! Ugh! ugh!!
+ugh!!!"
+
+"Believing him to be what he seemed, sir, you extended to him the
+rights of hospitality; you have nothing to blame yourself with!"
+
+"Demmy, sir, I did more than that! I've coddled him up with negusses!
+I've pampered him up with possets and put him to sleep in my own bed!
+Yes, sir--and more! Look there at Mrs. Condiment, sir! The way in which
+she worshiped that villain was a sight to behold!" said Old Hurricane,
+jumping up and stamping around the tent in fury.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Goodwin, sir, how could I help it when I thought he was such a
+precious saint?" whimpered the old lady.
+
+"Yes, sir! when 'his reverence' would be tired with delivering a
+long-winded mid-day discourse, Mrs. Condiment, sir, would take him into
+her own tent--make him lie down on her own sacred cot, and set my niece
+to bathing his head with cologne and her maid to fanning him, while she
+herself prepared an iced sherry cobbler for his reverence! Aren't you
+ashamed of yourself, Mrs. Condiment, mum!" said Old Hurricane, suddenly
+stopping before the poor old woman, in angry scorn.
+
+"Indeed, I'm sure if I'd known it was Black Donald, I'd no more have
+suffered him inside of my tent than I would Satan!"
+
+"Demmy, mum, you had Satan there as well! Who but Satan could have
+tempted you all to disregard me, your lawful lord and master, as you
+every one of you did for that wretch's sake! Hang it, parson, I wasn't
+the master of my own house, nor head of my own family! Precious Father
+Gray was! Black Donald was! Oh, you shall hear!" cried Old Hurricane,
+in a frenzy.
+
+"Pray, sir, be patient and do not blame the women for being no wiser
+than you were yourself," said Mr. Goodwin.
+
+"Tah! tah! tah! One act of folly is a contingency to which any man may
+for once in his life be liable; but folly is the women's normal condition!
+You shall hear! You shall hear! Hang it, sir, everybody had to give way
+to Father Gray! Everything was for Father Gray! Precious Father Gray!
+Excellent Father Gray! Saintly Father Gray! It was Father Gray here and
+Father Gray there, and Father Gray everywhere and always! He ate with
+us all day and slept with us all night! The coolest cot in the dryest
+nook of the tent at night--the shadiest seat at the table by day--were
+always for his reverence! The nicest tit-bits of the choicest dishes--the
+middle slices of the fish, the breast of the young ducks, and the wings
+of the chickens, the mealiest potatoes, the juiciest tomatoes, the
+tenderest roasting ear, the most delicate custard, and freshest fruit
+always for his reverence! I had to put up with the necks of poultry,
+and the tails of fishes, watery potatoes, specked apples and scorched
+custards--and if I dared to touch anything better before his precious
+reverence had eaten and was filled, Mrs. Condiment--there--would look
+as sour as if she had bitten an unripe lemon--and Cap would tread on my
+gouty toe! Mrs. Condiment, mum, I don't know how you can look me in the
+face!" said Old Hurricane, savagely. A very unnecessary reproach, since
+poor Mrs. Condiment had not ventured to look any one in the face since
+the discovery of the fraud of which she, as well as others, had been an
+innocent victim.
+
+"Come, come, my dear major, there is no harm done to you or your
+family; therefore, take patience!" said Mr. Goodwin.
+
+"Demmy, sir, I beg you pardon, parson, I won't take patience! You don't
+know! Hang it, man, at last they got me to give up one-half of my own
+blessed bed to his precious reverence--the best half which the fellow
+always took right out of the middle, leaving me to sleep on both sides
+of him, if I could! Think of it--me, Ira Warfield--sleeping between the
+sheets--night after night--with Black Donald! Ugh! ugh! ugh! Oh, for
+some lethean draught that I might drink and forget! Sir, I won't be
+patient! Patience would be a sin! Mrs. Condiment, mum, I desire that
+you will send in your account and supply yourself with a new situation!
+You and I cannot agree any longer. You'll be putting me to bed with
+Beelzebub next!" exclaimed Old Hurricane, besides himself with
+indignation.
+
+Mrs. Condiment sighed and wiped her eyes under her spectacles.
+
+The worthy minister, now seriously alarmed, came to him and said:
+
+"My dear, dear major, do not be unjust--consider. She is an old
+faithful domestic, who has been in your service forty years--whom you
+could not live without! I say it under advisement--whom you could not
+live without!"
+
+"Hang it, sir, nor live with! Think of her helping to free the
+prisoners! Actually taking Black Donald--precious Father Gray!--into
+their cell and leaving them together to hatch their--beg you
+pardon--horrid plots!"
+
+"But, sir, instead of punishing the innocent victim of his deception,
+let us be merciful and thank the Lord, that since those men were
+delivered from prison, they were freed without bloodshed; for remember
+that neither the warden nor any of his men, nor any one else has been
+personally injured."
+
+"Hang it, sir, I wish they had cut all our throats to teach us more
+discretion!" broke forth Old Hurricane.
+
+"I am afraid that the lesson so taught would have come too late to be
+useful!" smiled the pastor.
+
+"Well, it hasn't come too late now! Mrs. Condiment, mum, mind what I
+tell you! As soon as we return to Hurricane Hall, send in your accounts
+and seek a new home! I am not going to suffer myself to be set at
+naught any longer!" exclaimed Old Hurricane, bringing down his cane
+with an emphatic thump.
+
+The sorely troubled minister was again about to interfere, when, as the
+worm if trodden upon, will turn, Mrs. Condiment herself spoke up,
+saying:
+
+"Lor, Major Warfield, sir, there were others deceived besides me, and
+as for myself, I never can think of the risk I've run without growing
+cold all over!"
+
+"Serves you right, mum, for your officiousness, and obsequiousness and
+toadying to--precious Mr. Gray!--serves you doubly right for famishing
+me at my own table!"
+
+"Uncle!" said Capitola, "'Honor bright! Fair play is a jewel!' If you
+and I, who have seen Black Donald before, failed to recognize that
+stalwart athlete in a seemingly old and sickly man, how could you
+expect Mrs. Condiment to do so, who never saw him but once in her life,
+and then was so much frightened that she instantly fainted?"
+
+"Pah! pah! pah! Cap, hush! You, all of you, disgust me, except Black
+Donald! I begin to respect him! Confound if I don't take in all the
+offers I have made for his apprehension, and at the very next
+convention of our party I'll nominate him to represent us in the
+National Congress; for, of all the fools that ever I have met in my
+life, the people of this county are the greatest! And fools should at
+least be represented by one clever man--and Black Donald is the very
+fellow! He is decidedly the ablest man in this congressional district."
+
+"Except yourself, dear uncle!" said Capitola.
+
+"Except nobody, Miss Impudence!--least of all me! The experience of the
+last week has convinced me that I ought to have a cap and bells awarded
+me by public acclamation!" said Old Hurricane, stamping about in fury.
+
+The good minister finding that he could make no sort of impression upon
+the irate old man, soon took his leave, telling Mrs. Condiment that if
+he could be of any service to her in her trouble she must be sure to
+let him know.
+
+At this Capitola and Mrs. Condiment exchanged looks, and the old lady,
+thanking him for his kindness, said that if it should become necessary,
+she should gratefully avail herself of it.
+
+That day the camp meeting broke up.
+
+Major Warfield struck tents and with his family and baggage returned to
+Hurricane Hall.
+
+On their arrival, each member of the party went about his or her own
+particular business.
+
+Capitola hurried to her own room to take off her bonnet and shawl.
+Pitapat, before attending her young mistress, lingered below to
+astonish the housemaids with accounts of "Brack Donel, dress up like an
+ole parson, an' 'ceiving everybody, even ole Marse!"
+
+Mrs. Condiment went to her store room to inspect the condition of her
+newly put up preserves and pickles, lest any of them should have
+"worked" during her absence.
+
+And Old Hurricane, attended by Wool, walked down to his kennels and his
+stables to look after the well-being of his favorite hounds and horses.
+It was while going through this interesting investigation that Major
+Warfield was informed--principally by overhearing the gossip of the
+grooms with Wool--of the appearance of a new inmate of the Hidden
+House--a young girl, who, according to their description, must have
+been the very pearl of beauty.
+
+Old Hurricane pricked up his ears! Anything relating to the "Hidden
+House" possessed immense interest for him.
+
+"Who is she, John?" he inquired of the groom.
+
+"'Deed I dunno, sir, only they say she's a bootiful young creature,
+fair as any lily, and dressed in deep mourning."
+
+"Humph! humph! humph! another victim! Ten thousand chances to one,
+another victim! who told you this, John?"
+
+"Why, Marse, you see Tom Griffith, the Rev. Mr. Goodwin's man, he's
+very thick long of Davy Hughs, Colonel Le Noir's coachman. And Davy he
+told Tom how one day last month his marse ordered the carriage, and
+went two or three days' journey up the country beyant Staunton, there
+he stayed a week and then came home, fetching along with him in the
+carriage this lovely young lady, who was dressed in the deepest
+mourning, and wept all the way. They 'spects how she's an orphan, and
+has lost all her friends, by the way she takes on."
+
+"Another victim! My life on it--another victim! Poor child! She had
+better be dead than in the power of that atrocious villain and
+consummate hypocrite!" said Old Hurricane, passing on to the
+examination of his favorite horses, one of which, the swiftest in the
+stud, he found galled on the shoulders. Whereupon he flew into a
+towering passion, abusing his unfortunate groom by every opprobrious
+epithet blind fury could suggest, ordering him, as he valued whole
+bones, to vacate the stable instantly, and never dare to set foot on
+his premises again as he valued his life, an order which the man meekly
+accepted and immediately disobeyed, muttered to himself:
+
+"Humph! If we took ole marse at his word, there'd never be man or 'oman
+left on the 'state," knowing full well that his tempestuous old master
+would probably forget all about it, as soon as he got comfortably
+seated at the supper table of Hurricane Hall, toward which the old man
+now trotted off.
+
+Not a word did Major Warfield say at supper in regard to the new inmate
+of the Hidden House, for he had particular reasons for keeping Cap in
+ignorance of a neighbor, lest she should insist upon exchanging visits
+and being "sociable."
+
+But it was destined that Capitola should not remain a day in ignorance
+of the interesting fact.
+
+That night, when she retired to her chamber, Pitapat lingered behind,
+but presently appeared at her young mistress's room door with a large
+waiter on her head, laden with meat, pastry, jelly and fruit, which she
+brought in and placed upon the work stand.
+
+"Why, what on the face of earth do you mean by bringing all that load
+of victuals into my room to-night? Do you think I am an ostrich or a
+cormorant, or that I am going to entertain a party of friends?" asked
+Capitola, in astonishment, turning from the wash stand, where she stood
+bathing her face.
+
+"'Deed I dunno, Miss, whedder you'se an ostrizant or not, but I knows I
+don't 'tend for to be 'bused any more 'bout wittels, arter findin' out
+how cross empty people can be! Dar dey is! You can eat um or leab um
+alone, Miss Caterpillar!" said little Pitapat, firmly.
+
+Capitola laughed. "Patty" she said, "you are worthy to be called my
+waiting maid!"
+
+"And Lors knows, Miss Caterpillar, if it was de wittels you was
+a-frettin' arter, you ought to a-told me before! Lors knows dere's
+wittels enough!"
+
+"Yes, I'm much obliged to you, Patty, but now I am not hungry, and I do
+not like the smell of food in my bedroom, so take the waiter out and
+set it on the passage table until morning."
+
+Patty obeyed, and came back smiling and saying:
+
+"Miss Caterpillar, has you hern de news?"
+
+"What news, Pat?"
+
+"How us has got a new neighbor--a bootiful young gal--as bootiful as a
+picter in a gilt-edged Christmas book--wid a snowy skin, and sky-blue
+eyes and glistenin' goldy hair, like the princess you was a readin' me
+about, all in deep mournin' and a weepin' and a weepin' all alone down
+there in that wicked, lonesome, onlawful ole haunted place, the Hidden
+House, along of old Colonel Le Noir and old Dorkey Knight, and the
+ghost as draws people's curtains of a night, just for all de worl' like
+dat same princess in de ogre's castle!"
+
+"What on earth is all this rigmarole about? Are you dreaming or
+romancing?"
+
+"I'm a-telling on you de bressed trufe! Dere's a young lady a-livin at
+de Hidden House!"
+
+"Eh? Is that really true, Patty?"
+
+"True as preaching, miss."
+
+"Then, I am very glad of it! I shall certainly ride over and call on
+the stranger," said Capitola, gaily.
+
+"Oh, Miss Cap! Oh, miss, don't you do no sich thing! Ole Marse kill me!
+I heerd him t'reaten all de men and maids how if dey telled you
+anything 'bout de new neighbor, how he'd skin dem alive!"
+
+"Won't he skin you?" asked Cap.
+
+"No, miss, not 'less you 'form ag'in me, 'case he didn't tell me not to
+tell you, 'case you see he didn't think how I knowed! But, leastways, I
+know from what I heard, ole marse wouldn't have you to know nothin'
+about it, no, not for de whole worl'."
+
+"He does not want me to call at the Hidden House! That's it! Now why
+doesn't he wish me to call there? I shall have to go in order to find
+out, and so I will," thought Cap.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+CAP'S VISIT TO THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+
+    And such a night "she" took the road in
+    As ne'er poor sinner was abroad in.
+    The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last
+    The rattling showers rose on the blast;
+    The speedy gleams the darkness swallowed;
+    Loud, deep and long the thunder bellowed;
+    That night a child might understand
+    The de'il had business on his hand.
+
+                          --Burns.
+
+
+A week passed before Capitola carried her resolution of calling upon
+the inmate of the Hidden House into effect. It was in fact a hot, dry,
+oppressive season, the last few days of August, when all people, even
+the restless Capitola, preferred the coolness and repose of indoors.
+But that she should stay at home more than a week was a moral and
+physical impossibility. So on Thursday afternoon, when Major Warfield
+set out on horseback to visit his mill, Capitola ordered her horse
+saddled and brought up that she might take an afternoon's ride.
+
+"Now please, my dear child, don't go far," said Mrs. Condiment, "for
+besides that your uncle does not approve of your riding alone, you must
+hurry back to avoid the storm."
+
+"Storm, Mrs. Condiment, why bless your dear old heart, there has not
+been a storm these four weeks!" said Capitola, almost indignant that
+such an absurd objection to a long ride should be raised.
+
+"The more reason, my child, that we should have a very severe one when
+it does come, and I think it will be upon us before sunset; so I advise
+you to hurry home."
+
+"Why, Mrs. Condiment, there's not a cloud in the sky."
+
+"So much the worse, my dear! The blackest cloud that ever gathered is
+not so ominous of mischief as this dull, coppery sky and still
+atmosphere! And if forty years' observation of weather signs goes for
+anything, I tell you that we are going to have the awfulest storm that
+ever gathered in the heavens! Why, look out of that window--the very
+birds and beasts know it, and instinctively seek shelter--look at that
+flock of crows flying home! See how the dumb beasts come trooping
+toward their sheds! Capitola, you had better give up going altogether,
+my dear!"
+
+"There! I thought all this talk tended to keeping me within doors, but
+I can't stay, Mrs. Condiment! Good Mrs. Condiment, I can't!"
+
+"But, my dear, if you should be caught out in the storm!"
+
+"Why, I don't know but I should like it! What harm could it do? I'm not
+soluble in water--rain won't melt me away! I think upon the whole I
+rather prefer being caught in the storm," said Cap, perversely.
+
+"Well, well, there is no need of that! You may ride as far as the
+river's bank and back again in time to escape, if you choose!" said
+Mrs. Condiment, who saw that her troublesome charge was bent upon the
+frolic.
+
+And Cap, seeing her horse approach, led by one of the grooms, ran
+up-stairs, donned her riding habit, hat and gloves, ran down again,
+sprang into her saddle and was off, galloping away toward the river
+before Mrs. Condiment could add another word of warning.
+
+She had been gone about an hour, when the sky suddenly darkened, the
+wind rose and the thunder rolled in prelude to the storm.
+
+Major Warfield came skurrying home from the mill, grasping his bridle
+with one hand and holding his hat on with the other.
+
+Meeting poor old Ezy in the shrubbery, he stormed out upon him with:
+
+"What are you lounging there for, you old idiot! You old sky-gazing
+lunatic! Don't you see that we are going to have an awful blow! Begone
+with you and see that the cattle are all under shelter! Off, I say,
+or," he rode toward Bill Ezy, but the old man, exclaiming:
+
+"Yes, sir--yes, sir! In coorse, sir!" ducked his head and ran off in
+good time.
+
+Major Warfield quickened his horse's steps and rode to the house,
+dismounted and threw the reins to the stable boy, exclaiming:
+
+"My beast is dripping with perspiration--rub him down well, you knave,
+or I'll impale you!"
+
+Striding into the hall, he threw down his riding whip, pulled off his
+gloves and called:
+
+"Wool! Wool, you scoundrel, close every door and window in the house!
+Call all the servants together in the dining-room; we're going to have
+one of the worst tempests that ever raised!"
+
+Wool flew to do his bidding.
+
+"Mrs. Condiment, mum," said the old man, striding into the
+sitting-room, "Mrs. Condiment, mum, tell Miss Black to come down from
+her room until the storm is over; the upper chambers of this old house
+are not safe in a tempest. Well, mum, why don't you go, or send
+Pitapat?"
+
+"Major Warfield, sir, I'm very sorry, but Miss Black has not come in
+yet," said Mrs. Condiment, who for the last half hour had suffered
+extreme anxiety upon account of Capitola.
+
+"Not come in yet! Demmy, mum! Do you tell me she has gone out?" cried
+Old Hurricane, in a voice of thunder, gathering his brows into a dark
+frown, and striking his cane angrily upon the floor.
+
+"Yes, sir, I am sorry to say she rode out about an hour ago and has not
+returned," said Mrs. Condiment, summoning all her firmness to meet Old
+Hurricane's 'roused wrath."
+
+"Ma'am! You venture to stand there before my face and tell me
+composedly that you permitted Miss Black to go off alone in the face of
+such a storm as this?" roared Old Hurricane.
+
+"Sir, I could not help it!" said the old lady.
+
+"Demmy, mum! You should have helped it! A woman of your age to stand
+there and tell me that she could not prevent a young creature like
+Capitola from going out alone in the storm!"
+
+"Major Warfield, could you have done it?"
+
+"Me? Demmy, I should think so; but that is not the question! You----"
+
+He was interrupted by a blinding flash of lightning, followed
+immediately by an awful peal of thunder and a sudden fall of rain.
+
+Old Hurricane sprang up as though he had been shot off his chair and
+trotted up and down the floor exclaiming:
+
+"And she--she out in all this storm! Mrs. Condiment, mum, you deserve
+to be ducked! Yes, mum, you do! Wool! Wool! you diabolical villain!"
+
+"Yes, marse, yes, sir, here I is!" exclaimed that officer, in
+trepidation, as he appeared in the doorway. "De windows and doors, sir,
+is all fastened close and de maids are all in the dining-room as you
+ordered, and----"
+
+"Hang the maids and the doors and windows, too! Who the demon cares
+about them? How dared you, you knave, permit your young mistress to
+ride, unattended, in the face of such a storm, too! Why didn't you go
+with her, sir?"
+
+"'Deed, marse----"
+
+"Don't ''deed marse' me you atrocious villain! Saddle a horse quickly,
+inquire which road your mistress took and follow and attend her home
+safely--after which I intend to break every bone in your skin, sirrah!
+So----"
+
+Again he was interrupted by a dazzling flash of lightning, accompanied
+by a deafening roll of thunder, and followed by a flood of rain.
+
+Wool stood appalled at the prospect of turning out in such a storm upon
+such a fruitless errand.
+
+"Oh, you may stare and roll up your eyes, but I mean it, you varlet! So
+be off with you! Go! I don't care if you should be drowned in the rain,
+or blown off the horse, or struck by lightning. I hope you may be, you
+knave, and I shall be rid of one villain! Off, you varlet, or----" Old
+Hurricane lifted a bronze statuette to hurl at Wool's delinquent head,
+but that functionary dodged and ran out in time to escape a blow that
+might have put a period to his mortal career.
+
+But let no one suppose that honest Wool took the road that night! He
+simply ran down-stairs and hid himself comfortably in the lowest
+regions of the house, there to tarry until the storms, social and
+atmospheric, should be over.
+
+Meanwhile the night deepened, the storm raged without and Old Hurricane
+raged within!
+
+The lightning flashed, blaze upon blaze, with blinding glare! The
+thunder broke, crash upon crash, with deafening roar! The wind
+gathering all its force cannonaded the old walls as though it would
+batter down the house! The rain fell in floods! In the midst of all the
+Demon's Run, swollen to a torrent, was heard like the voice of a
+"roaring lion, seeking whom he might devour!"
+
+Old Hurricane strode up and down the floor, groaning, swearing,
+threatening, and at every fresh blast of the storm without, breaking
+forth into fury!
+
+Mrs. Condiment sat crouched in a corner, praying fervently every time
+the lightning blazed into the room, longing to go and join the men and
+maids in the next apartment, yet fearful to stir from her seat lest she
+should attract Old Hurricane's attention, and draw down upon herself
+the more terrible thunder and lightning of his wrath. But to escape Old
+Hurricane's violence was not in the power of mortal man or woman. Soon
+her very stillness exasperated him and he broke forth upon her with:
+
+"Mrs. Condiment, mum, I don't know how you can bear to sit there so
+quietly and listen to this storm, knowing that the poor child is
+exposed to it?"
+
+"Major Warfield, would it do any good for me to jump up and trot up and
+down the floor and go on as you do, even supposing I had the strength?"
+inquired the meek old lady, thoroughly provoked at his injustice!
+
+"I'd like to see you show a little more feeling! You are a perfect
+barbarian! Oh, Cap! my darling, where are you now? Heavens! what a
+blast was that! Enough to shake the house about our ears! I wish it
+would! blamed if I don't!"
+
+"Oh, Major! Major! don't say such awful things, nor make such awful
+wishes!" said the appalled old lady--"you don't know what you might
+bring down upon us!"
+
+"No, nor care! If the old house should tumble in, it would bury under
+its ruins a precious lot of good-for-nothing people, unfit to live!
+Heavens! what a flash of lightning! Oh, Cap, Cap, my darling, where are
+you in this storm? Mrs. Condiment, mum! if any harm comes to Capitola
+this night, I'll have you indicted for manslaughter!"
+
+"Major Warfield, if it is all on Miss Black's account that you are
+raving and raging so, I think it is quite vain of you! for any young
+woman caught out in a storm would know enough to get into shelter;
+especially would Miss Black, who is a young lady of great courage and
+presence of mind, as we know. She has surely gone into some house, to
+remain until the storm is over," said Mrs. Condiment, soothingly.
+
+This speech, so well intended, exasperated Old Hurricane more than all
+the rest; stopping and striking his cane upon the floor, he roared
+forth:
+
+"Hang it, mum! hold your foolish old tongue! You know nothing about it!
+Capitola is exposed to more serious dangers than the elements! Perils
+of all sorts surround her! She should never, rain or shine, go out
+alone! Oh, the little villain! the little wretch! the little demon! if
+ever I get her safe in this house again, won't I lock her up and keep
+her on bread and water until she learns to behave herself!"
+
+Here again a blinding flash of lightning, a deafening peal of thunder,
+a terrific blast of wind and flood of rain suddenly arrested his
+speech.
+
+"Oh, my Cap! my dear Cap! I needn't threaten you! I shall never have
+the chance to be cruel to you again--never! You'll perish in this
+terrible storm and then--and then my tough old heart will break! It
+will--it will, Cap! But demmy, before it does, I'll break the necks of
+every man and woman, in this house, old and young! Hear it, heaven and
+earth, for I'll do it!"
+
+All things must have an end. So, as the hours passed on, the storm
+having spent all its fury, gradually grumbled itself into silence.
+
+Old Hurricane also raged himself into a state of exhaustion so complete
+that when the midnight hour struck he could only drop into a chair and
+murmur:
+
+"Twelve o'clock and no news of her yet!"
+
+And then unwillingly he went to bed, attended by Mrs. Condiment and
+Pitapat instead of Wool, who was supposed to be out in search of
+Capitola, but who was, in fact, fast asleep on the floor of a dry
+cellar.
+
+Meanwhile, where did this midnight hour find Capitola?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE HIDDEN HOLLOW.
+
+    On every side the aspect was the same,
+      All ruined, desolate, forlorn and savage,
+    No hand or foot within the precinct came
+      To rectify or ravage!
+    Here Echo never mocked the human tongue;
+      Some weighty crime that Heaven could not pardon.
+    A secret curse on that old Building hung
+      And its deserted garden!
+
+                          --_Hood's Haunted House._
+
+
+Cap was a bit of a Don Quixote! The stirring incidents of the last few
+months had spoiled her; the monotony of the last few weeks had bored
+her; and now she had just rode out in quest of adventures.
+
+The Old Hidden House, with its mysterious traditions, its gloomy
+surroundings and its haunted reputation, had always possessed a
+powerful attraction for one of Cap's adventurous spirit. To seek and
+gaze upon the somber house, of which, and of whose inmates, such
+terrible stories had been told or hinted, had always been a secret
+desire and purpose of Capitola.
+
+And now the presence there of a beautiful girl near her own age was the
+one last item that tipped the balance, making the temptation to ride
+thither outweigh every other consideration of duty, prudence and
+safety. And having once started on the adventure, Cap felt the
+attraction drawing her toward the frightful hollow of the Hidden House
+growing stronger with every step taken thitherward.
+
+She reached the banks of the "Demon's Run," and took the left-hand road
+down the stream until she reached the left point of the Horse-Shoe
+Mountain, and then going up around the point, she kept close under the
+back of the range until she had got immediately in the rear of the
+round bend of the "Horse Shoe," behind Hurricane Hall.
+
+"Well," said Cap, as she drew rein here, and looked up at the lofty
+ascent of gray rocks that concealed Hurricane Hall, "to have had to
+come such a circuit around the outside of the 'Horse Shoe,' to find
+myself just at the back of our old house, and no farther from home than
+this! There's as many doubles and twists in these mountains as there
+are in a lawyer's discourse! There, Gyp, you needn't turn back again
+and pull at the bridle, to tell me that there is a storm coming up and
+that you want to go home! I have no more respect for your opinion than
+I have for Mrs. Condiment's. Besides, you carry a damsel-errant in
+quest of adventures, Gyp, and so you must on, Gyp--you must on!" said
+Capitola, forcibly pulling her horse's head around, and then taking a
+survey of the downward path.
+
+It was a scene fascinating from its very excess of gloom and terror!
+
+It was a valley so deep and dark as to merit the name of the hollow, or
+hole, but for its great extent and its thick growth of forest, through
+which spectral-looking rocks gleamed, and moaning waters could be heard
+but not seen.
+
+"Now, somewhere in that thick forest in the bottom of that vale, stands
+the house--well called the Hidden House, since not a chimney of it can
+be seen even from this commanding height! But I suppose this path that
+leads down into the valley may conduct me to the building! Come along,
+Gyp! You needn't turn up your head and pull at the bit! You've got to
+go! I am bound this night to see the outside of the Hidden House, and
+the window of the haunted chamber at the very least!" said Cap,
+throwing her eyes up defiantly toward the darkening sky, and putting
+whip to her unwilling horse.
+
+As the path wound down into the valley the woods were found deeper,
+thicker and darker. It occupied all Cap's faculties to push her way
+through the overhanging and interlacing branches of the trees.
+
+"Good gracious," she said, as she used her left arm rather vigorously
+to push aside the obstructions to her path, "one would think this were
+the enchanted forest containing the castle of the sleeping beauty, and
+I was the knight destined to deliver her! I'm sure it wouldn't have
+been more difficult."
+
+Still deeper fell the path, thicker grew the forest and darker the way.
+
+"Gyp, I'm under the impression that we shall have to turn back yet!"
+said Cap, dolefully stopping in the midst of a thicket so dense that it
+completely blockaded her farther progress in the same direction. Just
+as she came to this very disagreeable conclusion she spied an opening
+on her left, from which a bridle-path struck out. With an exclamation
+of joy she immediately turned her horse's head and struck into it. This
+path was very rocky, but in some degree clearer than the other, and she
+went on quickly, singing to herself, until gradually her voice began to
+be lost in the sound of many rushing waters.
+
+"It must be the Devil's Punch Bowl! I am approaching!" she said to
+herself, as she went on.
+
+She was right. The roaring of the waters grew deafening and the path
+became so rugged with jagged and irregularly piled rocks, that Cap
+could scarcely keep her horse upon his feet in climbing over them. And
+suddenly, when she least looked for it, the great natural
+curiosity--the Devil's Punch Bowl--burst upon her view!
+
+It was an awful abyss, scooped out as it were from the very bowels of
+the earth, with its steep sides rent open in dreadful chasms, and far
+down in its fearful depths a boiling whirlpool of black waters.
+
+Urging her reluctant steed through a thicket of stunted thorns and over
+a chaos of shattered rocks, Capitola approached as near as she safely
+could to the brink of this awful pit. So absorbed was she in gazing
+upon this terrible phenomenon of natural scenery that she had not
+noticed, in the thicket on her right, a low hut that, with its
+brown-green moldering colors, fell so naturally in with the hue of the
+surrounding scenery as easily to escape observation. She did not even
+observe that the sky was entirely overcast, and the thunder was
+muttering in the distance. She was aroused from her profound reverie by
+a voice near her asking:
+
+"Who are you, that dares to come without a guide to the Devil's Punch
+Bowl?"
+
+Capitola looked around and came nearer screaming than she ever had been
+in her life, upon seeing the apparition that stood before her. Was it
+man, woman, beast or demon? She could not tell! It was a very tall,
+spare form, with a black cloth petticoat tied around the waist, a blue
+coat buttoned over the breast, and a black felt hat tied down with a
+red handkerchief, shading the darkest old face she had ever seen in her
+life.
+
+"Who are you, I say, who comes to the Devil's Punch Bowl without leave
+or license?" repeated the frightful creature, shifting her cane from
+one hand to the other.
+
+"I? I am Capitola Black, from Hurricane Hall; but who, in the name of
+all the fates and furies, are you?" inquired Capitola, who, in getting
+over the shock, had recovered her courage.
+
+"I am Harriet the Seeress of Hidden Hollow!" replied the apparition, in
+a melodramatic manner that would not have discredited the queen of
+tragedy herself. "You have heard of me?"
+
+"Yes, but I always heard you called Old Hat, the Witch," said Cap.
+
+"The world is profane--give me your hand!" said the beldame, reaching
+out her own to take that of Capitola.
+
+"Stop! Is your hand clean? It looks very black!"
+
+"Cleaner than yours will be when it is stained with blood, young
+maiden!"
+
+"Tut! If you insist on telling my fortune, tell me a pleasant one, and
+I will pay you double," laughed Capitola.
+
+"The fates are not to be mocked. Your destiny will be that which the
+stars decree. To prove to you that I know this, I tell you that you are
+not what you have been!"
+
+"You've hit it this time, old lady, for I was a baby once and now I am
+a young girl!" said Cap, laughing.
+
+"You will not continue to be that which you are now!" pursued the hag,
+still attentively reading the lines of her subject's hand.
+
+"Right again; for if I live long enough I shall be an old woman."
+
+"You bear a name that you will not bear long!"
+
+"I think that quite a safe prophecy, as I haven't the most distant idea
+of being an old maid!"
+
+"This little hand of yours--this dainty woman's hand--will be--red with
+blood!"
+
+"Now, do you know, I don't doubt that either? I believe it altogether
+probable that I shall have to cook my husband's dinner and kill the
+chickens for his soup!"
+
+"Girl, beware! You deride the holy stars--and already they are adverse
+to you!" said the hag, with a threatening glare.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! I love the beautiful stars but did not fear them! I fear
+only Him who made the stars!"
+
+"Poor butterfly, listen and beware! You are destined to imbrue that
+little hand in the life current of one who loves you the most of all on
+earth! You are destined to rise by the destruction of one who would
+shed his heart's best blood for you!" said the beldame, in an awful
+voice.
+
+Capitola's eyes flashed! She advanced her horse a step or two nearer
+the witch and raised her riding whip, saying:
+
+"I protest! If you were only a man I should lay this lash over your
+wicked shoulders until my arms ached! How dare you? Faith, I don't
+wonder that in the honest old times such pests as you were cooled in
+the ducking pond! Good gracious, that must have made a hissing and
+spluttering in the water, though!"
+
+"Blasphemer, pay me and begone!"
+
+"Pay you? I tell you I would if you were only a man; but it would be
+sinful to pay a wretched old witch in the only way you deserve to be
+paid!" said Cap, flourishing her riding whip before a creature tall
+enough and strong enough to have doubled up her slight form together
+and hurled it into the abyss.
+
+"Gold! gold!" said the hag curtly, holding out black and talon-like
+fingers, which she worked convulsively.
+
+"Gold! gold, indeed! for such a wicked fortune! Not a penny!" said Cap.
+
+"Ho! you're stingy; you do not like to part with the yellow demon that
+has bought the souls of all your house!"
+
+"Don't I? You shall see! There! If you want gold, go fish it from the
+depth of the whirlpool," said Cap, taking her purse and casting it over
+the precipice.
+
+This exasperated the crone to frenzy.
+
+"Away! Begone!" she cried, shaking her long arm at the girl. "Away!
+Begone! The fate pursues you! The badge of blood is stamped upon your
+palm!"
+
+"'Fee--faw--fum'" said Cap.
+
+"Scorner! Beware! The curse of the crimson hand is upon you!"
+
+--"'I smell the blood of an Englishman'"--continued Cap.
+
+"Derider of the fates, you are foredoomed to crime!"
+
+--"'Be he alive or be he dead, I'll have his brains to butter my
+bread!'" concluded Cap.
+
+"Be silent!" shrieked the beldame.
+
+"I won't!" said Cap. "Because you see, if we are in for the horrible, I
+can beat you hollow at that!
+
+    "'Avaunt! and quit my sight!
+    Let the earth hide thee!
+    Thy bones are marrowless! Thy blood is cold!
+    Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
+    Which thou dost glare with?'"
+
+"Begone! You're doomed! doomed! doomed!" shrieked the witch, retreating
+into her hut.
+
+Cap laughed and stroked the neck of her horse, saying:
+
+"Gyp, my son, that was old Nick's wife, who was with us just this
+instant, and now, indeed, Gyp, if we are to see the Hidden House this
+afternoon, we must get on!"
+
+And so saying she followed the path that wound half-way around the
+Punch Bowl and then along the side of a little mountain torrent called
+the Spout, which, rising in an opposite mountain, leaped from rock to
+rock, with many a sinuous turn, as it wound through the thicket that
+immediately surrounded the Hidden House until it finally jetted through
+a subterranean channel into the Devil's Punch Bowl.
+
+Capitola was now, unconsciously, upon the very spot, where, seventeen
+years before, the old nurse had been forcibly stopped and compelled to
+attend the unknown lady.
+
+As Capitola pursued the path that wound lower and lower into the dark
+valley the gloom of the thicket deepened. Her thoughts ran on all the
+horrible traditions connected with the Hidden House and Hollow--the
+murder and robbery of the poor peddler--the mysterious assassination of
+Eugene Le Noir; the sudden disappearance of his youthful widow; the
+strange sights and sounds reported to be heard and seen about the
+mansion; the spectral light at the upper gable window; the white form
+seen flitting through the chamber; the pale lady that in the dead of
+night drew the curtains of a guest that once had slept there; and above
+all Capitola thought of the beautiful, strange girl, who was now an
+inmate of that sinful and accursed house! And while these thoughts
+absorbed her mind, suddenly, in a turning of the path, she came full
+upon the gloomy building.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+
+    The very stains and fractures on the wall
+    Assuming features solemn and terrific,
+    Hinted some tragedy of that old hall
+    Locked up in hieroglyphic!
+    Prophetic hints that filled the soul with dread;
+    But to one gloomy window pointing mostly,
+    The while some secret inspiration said,
+    That chamber is the ghostly!
+
+                          --Hood.
+
+
+The Hidden House was a large, irregular edifice of dark red sandstone
+with its walls covered closely with the clinging ivy, that had been
+clipped away only from a few of the doors and windows, and its roof
+over-shadowed by the top branches of gigantic oaks and elms that
+clustered around and nearly concealed the building.
+
+It might have been a long-forsaken house, for any sign of human
+habitation that was to be seen about it. All was silent, solitary and
+gloomy.
+
+As Capitola drew up her horse to gaze upon its somber walls she
+wondered which was the window at which the spectral light and ghostly
+face had been seen. She soon believed that she had found it.
+
+At the highest point of the building, immediately under the sharp angle
+of the roof, in the gable and nearest to view, was a solitary window.
+The ivy that clung tightly to the stone, covering every portion of the
+wall at this end, was clipped away from that high placed, dark and
+lonely window by which Capitola's eyes were strangely fascinated.
+
+While thus she gazed in wonder, interest and curiosity, though without
+the least degree of superstitious dread, a vision flashed upon her
+sight that sent the blood from her ruddy cheek to her brave heart, and
+shook the foundations of her unbelief!
+
+For while she gazed, suddenly that dark window was illumed by a
+strange, unearthly light that streamed forth into the gloomy evening
+air, and touched with blue flame the quivering leaves of every tree in
+its brilliant line! In the midst of this lighted window appeared a
+white female face wild with woe! And then the face suddenly vanished
+and the light was swallowed up in darkness!
+
+Capitola remained transfixed!
+
+"Great heaven!" she thought, "can these things really be! Have the
+ghostly traditions of this world truth in them at last? When I heard
+this story of the haunted window I thought some one had surely imagined
+or invented it! Now I have seen for myself; but if I were to tell what
+I have seen not one in a hundred would believe me!"
+
+While these startling thoughts disturbed her usual well-balanced mind,
+a vivid flash of lightning, accompanied by a tremendous peal of thunder
+and a heavy fall of rain, roused her into renewed activity.
+
+"Gyp, my boy, the storm is upon us sure enough! We shall catch it all
+around, get well drowned, beaten and buffeted here and well abused when
+we get home! Meantime, Gyp, which is the worst, the full fury of the
+tempest or the mysterious terrors of the Haunted House!"
+
+Another blinding flash of lightning, a stunning crash of thunder, a
+flood of rain and tornado of wind decided her.
+
+"We'll take the Haunted House, Gyp, my friend! That spectral lady of
+the lighted window looked rather in sorrow than in anger, and who knows
+but the ghosts may be hospitable? So gee up, Dobbin!" said Capitola,
+and, urging her horse with one hand and holding on her cap with the
+other, she went on against wind and rain until she reached the front of
+the old house.
+
+Not a creature was to be seen; every door and window was closely shut.
+Dismounting, Capitola led her horse under the shelter of a thickly
+leaved oak tree, secured him, and then holding up her saturated skirt
+with one hand and holding on her cap with the other, she went up some
+moldering stone steps to an old stone portico and, seizing the heavy
+iron knocker of a great black oak double door, she knocked loudly
+enough to awaken all the mountain echoes.
+
+She waited a few minutes for an answer, but receiving none, she knocked
+again, more loudly than before. Still there was no reply. And growing
+impatient, she seized the knocker with both hands and exerting all her
+strength, made the welkin ring again!
+
+This brought a response. The door was unlocked and angrily jerked open
+by a short, squarely formed, beetle-browed, stern-looking woman,
+clothed in a black stuff gown and having a stiff muslin cap upon her
+head.
+
+"Who are you? What do you want here?" harshly demanded this woman, whom
+Capitola instinctively recognized as Dorkey Knight, the morose
+housekeeper of the Hidden House.
+
+"Who am I? What do I want? Old Nick fly away with you! It's plain
+enough to be seen who I am and what I want. I am a young woman caught
+out in the storm and I want shelter!" said Cap, indignantly. And her
+words were endorsed by a terrific burst of the tempest in lightning,
+thunder, wind and rain!
+
+"Come in then and when you ask favors learn to keep a civil tongue in
+your head!" said the woman sternly, taking the guest by the hand and
+pulling her in and shutting and locking the door.
+
+"Favors! Plague on you for a bearess! I asked no favor! Every
+storm-beaten traveler has a right to shelter under the first roof that
+offers, and none but a curmudgeon would think of calling it a favor!
+And as for keeping a civil tongue in my head, I'll do it when you set
+me the example!" said Cap.
+
+"Who are you?" again demanded the woman.
+
+"Oh, I see you are no Arabian in your notions of hospitality! Those
+pagans entertain a guest without asking him a single question; and
+though he were their bitterest foe, they consider him while he rests
+beneath their tent sacred from intrusion."
+
+"That's because they were pagans!" said Dorkey. "But as I am a
+Christian, I'd thank you to let me know who it is that I have received
+under this roof."
+
+"My name," said our heroine, impatiently, "is Capitola Black! I live
+with my uncle, Major Warfield, at Hurricane Hall! And now, I should
+thank your ladyship to send some one to put away my horse, while you
+yourself accommodate me with dry clothes."
+
+While our saucy little heroine spoke the whole aspect of the
+dark-browed woman changed.
+
+"Capitola--Capitola," she muttered, gazing earnestly upon the face of
+the unwelcome guest.
+
+"Yes, Capitola! That is my name! You never heard anything against it,
+did you?"
+
+For all answer the woman seized her hand, and while the lightning
+flashed and the thunder rolled, and the wind and rain beat down, she
+drew her the whole length of the hall before a back window that
+overlooked the neglected garden, and, regardless of the electric fluid
+that incessantly blazed upon them, she held her there and scrutinized
+her features.
+
+"Well, I like this! Upon my word, I do!" said Cap, composedly.
+
+Without replying, the strange woman seized her right hand, forcibly
+opened it, gazed upon the palm and then, flinging it back with a
+shudder, exclaimed:
+
+"Capitola, what brought you under this roof? Away! Begone! Mount your
+horse and fly while there is yet time!"
+
+"What! expose myself again to the storm? I won't, and that's flat!"
+said Cap.
+
+"Girl! girl! there are worse dangers in the world than any to be feared
+from thunder, lightning, rain or wind!"
+
+"Very well, then, when I meet them it will be time enough to deal with
+them! Meanwhile the stormy night and my soaked clothing are very
+palpable evils, and as I see no good end to be gained by my longer
+enduring them, I will just beg you to stop soothsaying--(as I have had
+enough of that from another old witch)--and be as good as to permit me
+to change my clothes!"
+
+"It is madness! You shall not stay here!" cried the woman, in a harsh
+voice.
+
+"And I tell you I will! You are not the head of the family, and I do
+not intend to be turned out by you!"
+
+While she spoke a servant crossed the hall and the woman, whisking
+Capitola around until her back was turned and her face concealed, went
+to speak to the newcomer.
+
+"When will your master be here?" Capitola heard her inquire.
+
+"Not to-night; he saw the storm rising and did not wish to expose
+himself. He sent me on to say that he would not be here until morning.
+I was caught, as you see! I am dripping wet," replied the man.
+
+"Go, change your clothes at once then, Davy."
+
+"Who is that stranger?" asked the man, pointing to Capitola.
+
+"Some young woman of the neighborhood, who has been caught out in the
+tempest. But you had better go and change your clothes than to stand
+here gossiping," said the woman, harshly.
+
+"I say," said the man, "the young woman is a God-send to Miss Clara;
+nobody has been to see her yet; nobody ever visits this house unless
+they are driven to it. I don't wonder the colonel and our young master
+pass as much as ten months in the year away from home, spending all the
+summer at the watering places, and all the winter in New York or
+Washington!"
+
+"Hold your tongue! What right have you to complain? You always attend
+them in their travels!"
+
+"True, but you see for this last season they have both been staying
+here, old master to watch the heiress, young master to court her, and
+as I have no interest in that game, I find the time hangs heavy on my
+hands," complained the man.
+
+"It will hang heavier if you take a long fit of illness by standing in
+wet clothes," muttered the woman.
+
+"Why, so 'twill, missus! So here goes," assented the man, hurrying
+across the hall and passing out through the door opposite that by which
+he entered.
+
+Dorcas returned to her guest.
+
+Eying her closely for a while, she at length inquired:
+
+"Capitola, how long have you lived at Hurricane Hall?"
+
+"So long," replied Cap, "that you must have heard of me! I, at least,
+have often heard of Mother Dorkey Knight."
+
+"And heard no good of her!"
+
+"Well, no--to be candid with you, I never did," said Cap.
+
+"And much harm of her?" continued the woman, keeping her stern black
+eyes fixed upon those of her guest.
+
+"Well, yes--since you ask me, I have heard pretty considerable harm!"
+answered Cap, nothing daunted.
+
+"Where did you live before you came to Hurricane Hall?" asked Dorcas.
+
+"Where I learned to fear God, to speak the truth and to shame the
+devil!" replied Cap.
+
+--"And to force yourself into people's houses against their will!"
+
+"There you are again! I tell you that when I learn from the head of
+this household that I am unwelcome, then I will retreat, and not until
+then! And now I demand to be presented to the master."
+
+"To Colonel Le Noir?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I cannot curse you with 'the curse of a granted prayer!' Colonel Le
+Noir is away."
+
+"Why do you talk so strangely?" inquired Capitola.
+
+"It is my whim. Perhaps my head is light."
+
+"I should think it was, excessively so! Well--as the master of the
+house is away, be good enough to present me to the mistress?"
+
+"What mistress? There is no mistress here!" replied Dorcas, looking
+around in strange trepidation.
+
+"I mean the young lady, Colonel Le Noir's ward. In lieu of any other
+lady, she, I suppose, may be considered the mistress of the house!"
+
+"Humph! Well, young girl, as you are fully resolved to stand your
+ground. I suppose there is nothing to do but to put up with you!" said
+Dorcas.
+
+"And put up my horse," added Cap.
+
+"He shall be taken care of! But mind, you must depart early in the
+morning!" said Dorcas, sternly.
+
+"Once more, and for the last, Mother Cerberus, I assure you I do not
+acknowledge your authority to dismiss me!" retorted Capitola. "So show
+me to the presence of your mistress!"
+
+"Perverse, like all the rest! Follow me!" said the housekeeper, leading
+the way from the hall toward a back parlor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE INMATE OF THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+
+    There is a light around her brow,
+      A holiness in those dark eyes,
+    That show, though wandering earthward now,
+      Her spirit's home is in the skies.
+
+                          --Moore.
+
+
+Pushing open the door, Dorcas Knight exclaimed:
+
+"Here is a young lady, Miss Black, from Hurricane Hall, come to see
+you, Miss Day."
+
+And having made this announcement, the woman retired and shut the door
+behind her.
+
+And Capitola found herself in a large, dark, gloomy, wainscoted room,
+whose tall, narrow windows afforded but little light, and whose immense
+fireplace and blackened furniture seemed to belong to a past century.
+
+The only occupant of this somber apartment was a young girl, seated in
+pensive thought beside the central table. She was clothed in deep
+mourning, which only served to throw into fairer relief the beauty of
+her pearly skin, golden hair and violet eyes.
+
+The vision of her mourning robes and melancholy beauty so deeply
+impressed Capitola that, almost for the first time in her life, she
+hesitated from a feeling of diffidence, and said gently:
+
+"Indeed, I fear that this is an unwarranted intrusion on my part, Miss
+Day."
+
+"You are very welcome," replied the sweetest voice Capitola had ever
+heard, as the young girl arose and advanced to meet her. "But you have
+been exposed to the storm. Please come into my room and change your
+clothes," continued the young hostess, as she took Cap's hand and led
+her into an adjoining room.
+
+The storm was still raging, but these apartments being in the central
+portion of the strong old house, were but little exposed to the sight
+or sound of its fury.
+
+There was a lamp burning upon the mantelpiece, by the light of which
+the young girl furnished her visitor with dry clothing and assisted her
+to change, saying as she did so:
+
+"I think we are about the same size, and that my clothes will fit you;
+but I will not offer you mourning habiliments--you shall have this
+lilac silk."
+
+"I am very sorry to see you in mourning," said Capitola, earnestly.
+
+"It is for my father," replied Clara, very softly.
+
+As they spoke the eyes of the two young girls met. They were both good
+physiognomists and intuitive judges of character. Consequently in the
+full meeting of their eyes they read, understood and appreciated each
+other.
+
+The pure, grave, and gentle expression of Clara's countenance touched
+the heart of Capitola.
+
+The bright, frank, honest face of Cap recommended her to Clara.
+
+The very opposite traits of their equally truthful characters attracted
+them to each other.
+
+Clara conducted her guest back into the wainscoted parlor, where a
+cheerful fire had been kindled to correct the dampness of the air. And
+here they sat down unmindful of the storm that came much subdued
+through the thickness of the walls. And, as young creatures, however
+tried and sorrowful, will do, they entered into a friendly chat. And
+before an hour had passed Capitola thought herself well repaid for her
+sufferings from the storm and the rebuff, in having formed the
+acquaintance of Clara Day.
+
+She resolved, let Old Hurricane rage as he might, henceforth she would
+be a frequent visitor to the Hidden House.
+
+And Clara, for her part, felt that in Capitola she had found a frank,
+spirited, faithful neighbor who might become an estimable friend.
+
+While they were thus growing into each other's favor, the door opened
+and admitted a gentleman of tall and thin figure and white and
+emaciated face, shaded by a luxuriant growth of glossy black hair and
+beard. He could not have been more than twenty-six, but, prematurely
+broken by vice, he seemed forty years of age. He advanced bowing toward
+the young women.
+
+As Capitola's eyes fell upon this newcomer it required all her presence
+of mind and powers of self-control to prevent her from staring or
+otherwise betraying herself--for in this stranger she recognized the
+very man who had stopped her upon her night ride. She did, however,
+succeed in banishing from her face every expression of consciousness.
+And when Miss Day courteously presented him to her guest, saying
+merely, "My cousin, Mr. Craven Le Noir, Miss Black," Capitola arose and
+curtsied as composedly as if she had never set eyes upon his face
+before.
+
+He on his part evidently remembered her, and sent one stealthy, keen
+and scrutinizing glance into her face; but, finding that imperturbable,
+he bowed with stately politeness and seemed satisfied that she had not
+identified him as her assailant.
+
+Craven Le Noir drew his chair to the fire, seated himself and entered
+into an easy conversation with Clara and her guest. Whenever he
+addressed Clara there was a deference and tenderness in his tone and
+glance that seemed very displeasing to the fair girl, who received all
+these delicate attentions with coldness and reserve. These things did
+not escape the notice of Capitola, who mentally concluded that Craven
+Le Noir was a lover of Clara Day, but a most unacceptable lover.
+
+When supper was announced it was evidently hailed by Clara as a great
+relief. And after the meal was over she arose and excused herself to
+her cousin by saying that her guest, Miss Black, had been exposed to
+the storm and was doubtless very much fatigued and that she would show
+her to her chamber.
+
+Then, taking a night lamp, she invited Capitola to come and conducted
+her to an old-fashioned upper chamber, where a cheerful fire was
+burning on the hearth. Here the young girls sat down before the fire
+and improved their acquaintance by an hour's conversation. After which
+Clara arose, and saying, "I sleep immediately below your room, Miss
+Black; if you should want anything rap on the floor and I shall hear
+you and get up," she wished her guest a good night's rest and retired
+from the room.
+
+Cap was disinclined to sleep; a strange superstitious feeling which she
+could neither understand nor throw off had fallen upon her spirits.
+
+She took the night lamp in her hand and got up to examine her chamber.
+It was a large, dark, oak-paneled room, with a dark carpet on the floor
+and dark-green curtains on the windows and the bedstead. Over the
+mantelpiece hung the portrait of a most beautiful black-haired and
+black-eyed girl of about fourteen years of age, but upon whose
+infantile brow fell the shadow of some fearful woe. There was something
+awful in the despair "on that face so young" that bound the gazer in an
+irresistible and most painful spell. And Capitola remained standing
+before it transfixed, until the striking of the hall clock aroused her
+from her enchantment. Wondering who the young creature could have been,
+what had been her history and, above all, what had been the nature of
+that fearful woe that darkened like a curse her angel brow, Capitola
+turned almost sorrowfully away and began to prepare for bed.
+
+She undressed, put on the delicate nightclothes Clara had provided for
+her use, said her evening prayers, looked under the bed--a precaution
+taken ever since the night upon which she had discovered the
+burglars--and, finding all right, she blew out her candle and lay down.
+She could not sleep--many persons of nervous or mercurial temperaments
+cannot do so the first night in a strange bed. Cap was very mercurial,
+and the bed and room in which she lay were very strange; for the first
+time since she had had a home to call her own she was unexpectedly
+staying all night away from her friends, and without their having any
+knowledge of her whereabouts. She was conjecturing, half in fear and
+half in fun, how Old Hurricane was taking her escapade and what he
+would say to her in the morning. She was wondering to find herself in
+such an unforeseen position as that of a night guest in the mysterious
+Hidden House--wondering whether this was the guest chamber in which the
+ghost appeared to the officer and these were the very curtains that the
+pale lady drew at night. While her thoughts were thus running over the
+whole range of circumstances around her singular position, sleep
+overtook Capitola and speculation was lost in brighter visions.
+
+How long she had slept and dreamed she did not know, when something
+gently awakened her. She opened her eyes calmly--to meet a vision that
+brave as she was, nearly froze the blood in her warm veins.
+
+Her chamber was illumined with an intense blue flame that lighted up
+every portion of the apartment with a radiance bright as day, and in
+the midst of this effulgence moved a figure clothed in white--a
+beautiful, pale, spectral woman, whose large, motionless black eyes,
+deeply set in her death-like face, and whose long unbound black hair,
+fallen upon her white raiment, were the only marks of color about her
+marble form.
+
+Paralyzed with wonder, Capitola watched this figure as it glided about
+the chamber. The apparition approached the dressing-table, seemed to
+take something thence, and then gliding toward the bed, to Capitola's
+inexpressible horror, drew back the curtains and bent down and gazed
+upon her! Capitola had no power to scream, to move or to avert her gaze
+from those awful eyes that met her own, until at length, as the
+spectral head bent lower, she felt the pressure of a pair of icy lips
+upon her brow and closed her eyes!
+
+When she opened them again the vision had departed and the room was
+dark and quiet.
+
+There was no more sleep for Capitola. She heard the clock strike four,
+and was pleased to find that it was so near day. Still the time seemed
+very long to her, who lay there wondering, conjecturing and speculating
+on the strange adventure of the night.
+
+When the sun arose she left her restless bed, bathed her excited head
+and proceeded to dress herself. When she had finished her toilet, with
+the exception of putting on her trinkets, she suddenly missed a ring
+that she prized more than she did all her possessions put together--it
+was a plain gold band, bearing the inscription Capitola-Eugene, and
+which she had been enjoined by her old nurse never to part from but
+with life. She had, in her days of destitution suffered the extremes of
+cold and hunger; had been upon the very brink of death from starvation
+or freezing, but without ever dreaming of sacrificing her ring. And now
+for the first time it was missing. While she was still looking
+anxiously for the lost jewel the door opened and Dorcas Knight entered
+the room, bearing on her arm Capitola's riding dress, which had been
+well dried and ironed.
+
+"Miss Capitola, here is your habit; you had better put it on at once,
+as I have ordered breakfast an hour sooner than usual, so that you may
+have an early start."
+
+"Upon my word, you are very anxious to get rid of me, but not more so
+than I am to depart," said Capitola, still pursuing her search.
+
+"Your friends, who do not know where you are, must be very uneasy about
+you. But what are you looking for?"
+
+"A ring, a plain gold circle, with my name and that of another
+inscribed on it, and which I would not lose for the world. I hung it on
+a pin in this pin-cushion last night before I went to bed. I would
+swear I did, and now it is missing," answered Cap, still pursuing her
+search.
+
+"If you lost it in this room it will certainly be found," said Dorcas
+Knight putting down the habit and helping in the search.
+
+"I am not so sure of that. There was some one in my room last night."
+
+"Some one in your room!" exclaimed Dorcas in dismay.
+
+"Yes; a dark-haired woman, all dressed in white!"
+
+Dorcas Knight gave two or three angry grunts and then harshly
+exclaimed:
+
+"Nonsense! woman, indeed! there is no such woman about the house! There
+are no females here except Miss Day, myself and you--not even a
+waiting-maid or cook."
+
+"Well," said Cap, "if it was not a woman it was a ghost; for I was wide
+awake, and I saw it with my own eyes!"
+
+"Fudge! you've heard that foolish story of the haunted room, and you
+have dreamed the whole thing!"
+
+"I tell you I didn't! I saw it! Don't I know?"
+
+"I say you dreamed it! There is no such living woman here; and as for a
+ghost, that is all folly. And I must beg, Miss Black, that you will not
+distress Miss Day by telling her this strange dream of yours. She has
+never heard the ridiculous story of the haunted room, and, as she lives
+here in solitude, I would not like her to hear of it."
+
+"Oh, I will say nothing to disquiet Miss Day; but it was no dream. It
+was real, if there is any reality in this world."
+
+There was no more said. They continued to look for the ring, but in
+vain. Dorcas Knight, however, assured her guest that it should be found
+and returned, and that--breakfast waited. Whereupon Capitola went down
+to the parlor, where she found Clara awaiting her presence to give her
+a kindly greeting.
+
+"Mr. Le Noir never gets up until very late, and so we do not wait for
+him," said Dorcas Knight, as she took her seat at the head of the table
+and signed to the young girls to gather around it.
+
+After breakfast Capitola, promising to come again soon, and inviting
+Clara to return her visit, took leave of her entertainers and set out
+for home.
+
+"Thank heaven! I have got her off in time and safety!" muttered Dorcas
+Knight, in triumph.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+CAP'S RETURN.
+
+    Must I give way and room for your rash choler?
+    Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
+    Go show your slaves how choleric you are!
+    And make your bondsmen tremble! I'll not blench!
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+It happened that about sunrise that morning Wool awoke in the cellar,
+and remembered that on the night previous his master had commanded him
+to sally forth in the storm and seek his young mistress, and had
+forbidden him, on pain of broken bones, to return without bringing her
+safe. Therefore, what did the honest soul do but steal out to the
+stables, saddle and mount a horse and ride back to the house just as
+Mrs. Condiment had come out into the poultry yard to get eggs for
+breakfast.
+
+"Missus Compliment, ma'am, I'se been out all night in search of Miss
+Caterpillar, without finding of her. Is she come back, ma'am?"
+
+"Lor', no, indeed, Wool! I'm very anxious, and the major is taking on
+dreadful! But I hope she is safe in some house. But, poor Wool, you
+must have had a dreadful time out all night in the storm looking for
+her!"
+
+"Awful! Missus Compliment, ma'am, awful!" said Wool.
+
+"Indeed, I know you had, poor creature, come in and get some warm
+breakfast," said the kind old lady.
+
+"I daren't, Missus Compliment. Old marse forbid me to show my face to
+him until I fetch Miss Caterpillar home safe," said Wool, turning his
+horse's head as if to go. In doing so he saw Capitola galloping toward
+the house, and with an exclamation of joy pointed her out to the old
+lady and rode on to meet her.
+
+"Oh, Miss Caterpillar, I'se so glad I've found you! I'se done been out
+looking for you all night long!" exclaimed Wool, as he met her.
+
+Capitola pulled up her horse and surveyed the speaker with a comical
+expression, saying:
+
+"Been out all night looking for me! Well, I must say you seem in a fine
+state of preservation for a man who has been exposed to the storm all
+night. You have not a wet thread on you."
+
+"Lor', miss, it rained till one o'clock, and then the wind riz and
+blowed till six and blowed me dry," said Wool, as he sprang off his
+horse and helped his young mistress to alight.
+
+Then, instead of taking the beasts to the stable, he tied them to the
+tree and hurried into the house and upstairs to his master's room, to
+apprise him of the return of the lost sheep, Capitola.
+
+Old Hurricane was lying awake, tossing, groaning and grumbling with
+anxiety.
+
+On seeing Wool enter he deliberately raised up and seized a heavy iron
+candlestick and held it ready to hurl at the head of that worthy, whom
+he thus addressed:
+
+"Ah, you have come, you atrocious villain! You know the conditions. If
+you have dared to show your face without bringing your young
+mistress----"
+
+"Please, marse, I wur out looking for her all night."
+
+"Have you brought her?" thundered Old Hurricane, rising up.
+
+"Please, marse, yes, sir; I done found her and brought her home safe."
+
+"Send her up to me," said Old Hurricane, sinking back with a sigh of
+infinite relief.
+
+Wool flew to do his bidding.
+
+In five minutes Capitola entered her uncle's chamber.
+
+Now, Old Hurricane had spent a night of almost intolerable anxiety upon
+his favorite's account, bewailing her danger and praying for her
+safety; but no sooner did he see her enter his chamber safe and sound
+and smiling than indignation quite mastered him, and jumping out of his
+bed in his nightgown, he made a dash straight at Capitola.
+
+Now, had Capitola run there is little doubt but that, in the blindness
+of his fury, he would have caught and beat her then and there. But Cap
+saw him coming, drew up her tiny form, folded her arms and looked him
+directly in the face.
+
+This stopped him; but, like a mettlesome old horse suddenly pulled up
+in full career, he stamped and reared and plunged with fury, and foamed
+and spluttered and stuttered before he could get words out.
+
+"What do you mean, you vixen, by standing there and popping your great
+eyes out at me? Are you going to bite, you tigress? What do you mean by
+facing me at all?" he roared, shaking his fist within an inch of
+Capitola's little pug nose.
+
+"I am here because you sent for me, sir," was Cap's unanswerable
+rejoinder.
+
+"Here because I sent for you! humph! humph! humph! and come dancing and
+smiling into my room as if you had not kept me awake all the live-long
+night--yes, driven me within an inch of brain fever! Not that I cared
+for you, you limb of Old Nick! not that I cared for you, except to wish
+with all my heart and soul that something or other had happened to you,
+you vagrant! Where did you spend the night, you lunatic?"
+
+"At the old Hidden House, where I went to make a call on my new
+neighbor, Miss Day, and where I was caught in the storm."
+
+"I wish to heaven you had been caught in a man-trap and had all your
+limbs broken, you--you--you--Oh!" ejaculated Old Hurricane, turning
+short and trotting up and down the room. Presently he stopped before
+Capitola and rapping his cane upon the floor, demanded:
+
+"Who did you see at that accursed place, you--you--infatuated maniac?"
+
+"Miss Day, Mr. Le Noir, Mrs. Knight and a man servant, name unknown,"
+coolly replied Cap.
+
+"And the head demon, where was he?"
+
+"Uncle, if by the 'head demon' you mean Old Nick, I think it quite
+likely, from present appearances, that he passed the night at Hurricane
+Hall."
+
+"I mean--Colonel Le Noir!" exclaimed Old Hurricane, as if the name
+choked him.
+
+"Oh! I understood that he had that day left home."
+
+"Umph! Oh! Ah! That accounts for it; that accounts for it," muttered
+Old Hurricane to himself; then, seeing that Cap was wistfully regarding
+his face and attending to his muttered phrases, he broke out upon her
+with:
+
+"Get out of this--this--this----" He meant to say "get out of this
+house," but a sure instinct warned him that if he should speak thus
+Capitola, unlike the other members of his household, would take him at
+his word.
+
+"Get out of this room, you vagabond!" he vociferated.
+
+And Cap, with a curtsey and a kiss of her hand, danced away.
+
+Old Hurricane stamped up and down the floor, gesticulating like a
+demoniac and vociferating:
+
+"She'll get herself burked, kidnapped, murdered or what not! I'm sure
+she will! I know it! I feel it! It's no use to order her not to go; she
+will be sure to disobey, and go ten times as often for the very reason
+that she was forbidden. What the demon shall I do? Wool! Wool! you
+brimstone villain, come here!" he roared, going to the bell-rope and
+pulling it until he broke it down.
+
+Wool ran in with his hair bristling, his teeth chattering and his eyes
+starting.
+
+"Come here to me, you varlet! Now, listen: You are to keep a sharp
+look-out after your young mistress. Whenever she rides abroad you are
+to mount a horse and ride after her, and keep your eyes open, for if
+you once lose sight of her, you knave, do you know what I shall do to
+you, eh?"
+
+"N--no, marse," stammered Wool, pale with apprehension.
+
+"I should cut your eyelids off to improve your vision! Look to it, sir,
+for I shall keep my word! And now come and help me to dress," concluded
+Old Hurricane.
+
+Wool, with chattering teeth, shaking knees and trembling fingers,
+assisted his master in his morning toilet, meditating the while whether
+it were not better to avoid impending dangers by running away.
+
+And, in fact, between his master and his mistress, Wool had a hot time
+of it. The weather, after the storm had cleared the atmosphere, was
+delightful, and Cap rode out that very day. Poor Wool kept his eyeballs
+metaphorically "skinned," for fear they should be treated literally
+so--held his eyes wide open, lest Old Hurricane should keep his word
+and make it impossible for him ever to shut them.
+
+When Cap stole out, mounted her horse and rode away, in five minutes
+from the moment of starting she heard a horse's hoofs behind her, and
+presently saw Wool gallop to her side.
+
+At first Cap bore this good-humoredly enough, only saying:
+
+"Go home, Wool, I don't want you; I had much rather ride alone."
+
+To which the groom replied:
+
+"It is old marse's orders, miss, as I should wait on you."
+
+Capitola's spirit rebelled against this; and, suddenly turning upon her
+attendant, she indignantly exclaimed:
+
+"Wool, I don't want you, sir; I insist upon being left alone, and I
+order you to go home, sir!"
+
+Upon this Wool burst into tears and roared.
+
+Much surprised, Capitola inquired of him what the matter was.
+
+For some time Wool could only reply by sobbing, but when he was able to
+articulate he blubbered forth:
+
+"It's nuf to make anybody go put his head under a meat-ax, so it is!"
+
+"What is the matter, Wool?" again inquired Capitola.
+
+"How'd you like to have your eyelids cut off?" howled Wool,
+indignantly.
+
+"What?" inquired Capitola.
+
+"Yes; I axes how'd you like to have your eyelids cut off? Case that's
+what ole marse t'reatens to do long o' me, if I don't follow arter you
+and keep you in sight. And now you forbids of me to do it, and--and--and
+I'll go and put my neck right underneaf a meat-ax!"
+
+Now, Capitola was really kind-hearted, and, well knowing the despotic
+temper of her guardian, she pitied Wool, and after a little hesitation
+she said:
+
+"Wool, so your old master says if you don't keep your eyes on me he'll
+cut your eyelids off?"
+
+"Ye--ye--yes, miss," sobbed Wool.
+
+"Did he say if you didn't listen to me he'd cut your ears off?"
+
+"N--n--no, miss."
+
+"Did he swear if you didn't talk to me he'd cut your tongue out?"
+
+"N--n--no, miss."
+
+"Well, now, stop howling and listen to me! Since, at the peril of your
+eyelids, you are obliged to keep me in sight, I give you leave to ride
+just within view of me, but no nearer, and you are never to let me see
+or hear you, if you can help it for I like to be alone."
+
+"I'll do anything in this world for peace, Miss Caterpillar," said poor
+Wool.
+
+And upon this basis the affair was finally settled. And no doubt
+Capitola owed much of her personal safety to the fact that Wool kept
+his eyes open.
+
+While these scenes were going on at Hurricane Hall, momentous events
+were taking place elsewhere, which require another chapter for their
+development.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ANOTHER MYSTERY AT THE HIDDEN HOUSE.
+
+    "Hark! what a shriek was that of fear intense,
+    Of horror and amazement!
+    What fearful struggle to the door and thence
+    With mazy doubles to the grated casement!"
+
+
+An hour after the departure of Capitola, Colonel Le Noir returned to
+the Hidden House and learned from his man David that upon the preceding
+evening a young girl of whose name he was ignorant had sought shelter
+from the storm and passed the night at the mansion.
+
+Now, Colonel Le Noir was extremely jealous of receiving strangers under
+his roof, never, during his short stay at the Hidden House, going out
+into company, lest he should be obliged in return to entertain
+visitors. And when he learned that a strange girl had spent the night
+beneath his roof, he frowningly directed that Dorcas should be sent to
+him.
+
+When his morose manager made her appearance he harshly demanded the
+name of the young woman she had dared to receive beneath his roof.
+
+Now, whether there is any truth in the theory of magnetism or not, it
+is certain that Dorcas Knight--stern, harsh, resolute woman that she
+was toward all others--became as submissive as a child in the presence
+of Colonel Le Noir.
+
+At his command she gave him all the information he required, not even
+withholding the fact of Capitola's strange story of having seen the
+apparition of the pale-faced lady in her chamber, together with the
+subsequent discovery of the loss of her ring.
+
+Colonel Le Noir sternly reprimanded his domestic manager for her
+neglect of his orders and dismissed her from his presence.
+
+The remainder of the day was passed by him in moody thought. That
+evening he summoned his son to a private conference in the parlor--an
+event that happily delivered poor Clara Day from their presence at her
+fireside.
+
+That night Clara, dreading lest at the end of their interview they
+might return to her society, retired early to her chamber where she sat
+reading until a late hour, when she went to bed and found transient
+forgetfulness of trouble in sleep.
+
+She did not know how long she had slept when she was suddenly and
+terribly awakened by a woman's shriek sounding from the room
+immediately overhead, in which, upon the night previous, Capitola had
+slept.
+
+Starting up in bed, Clara listened.
+
+The shriek was repeated--prolonged and piercing--and was accompanied by
+a muffled sound of struggling that shook the ceiling overhead.
+
+Instinctively springing from her bed, Clara threw on her dressing-gown
+and flew to the door; but just as she turned the latch to open it she
+heard a bolt slipped on the outside and found herself a prisoner in her
+own chamber.
+
+Appalled, she stood and listened.
+
+Presently there came a sound of footsteps on the stairs and a heavy
+muffled noise as of some dead weight being dragged down the staircase
+and along the passage. Then she heard the hall door cautiously opened
+and shut. And, finally, she distinguished the sound of wheels rolling
+away from the house.
+
+Unable longer to restrain herself, she rapped and beat upon her own
+door, crying aloud for deliverance.
+
+Presently the bolt was withdrawn, the door jerked open and Dorcas
+Knight, with a face of horror, stood before her.
+
+"What is the matter! Who was that screaming? In the name of mercy, what
+has happened?" cried Clara, shrinking in abhorrence from the ghastly
+woman.
+
+"Hush! it is nothing! There were two tomcats screaming and fighting in
+the attic, and they fought all the way downstairs, rolling over and
+over each other. I've just turned them out," faltered the woman,
+shivering as with an ague fit.
+
+"What--what was that--that went away in the carriage?" asked Clara
+shuddering.
+
+"The colonel, gone to meet the early stage at Tip-Top, to take him to
+Washington. He would have taken leave of you last night, but when he
+came to your parlor you had left it."
+
+"But--but--there is blood upon your hand, Dorcas Knight!" cried Clara,
+shaking with horror.
+
+"I--I know; the cats scratched me as I put them out," stammered the
+stern woman, trembling almost as much as Clara herself.
+
+These answers failed to satisfy the young girl, who shrank in terror
+and loathing from that woman's presence, and sought the privacy of her
+own chamber, murmuring:
+
+"What has happened? What has been done? Oh, heaven! oh, heaven! have
+mercy on us! some dreadful deed has been done in this house to-night!"
+
+There was no more sleep for Clara. She heard the clock strike every
+hour from one to six in the morning, when she arose and dressed herself
+and went from her room, expecting to see upon the floor and walls and
+upon the faces of the household signs of some dreadful tragedy enacted
+upon the previous night.
+
+But all things were as usual--the same dark, gloomy and neglected
+magnificence about the rooms and passages, the same reserved, sullen
+and silent aspect about the persons.
+
+Dorcas Knight presided as usual at the head of the breakfast table, and
+Craven Le Noir at the foot. Clara sat in her accustomed seat at the
+side, midway between them.
+
+Clara shuddered in taking her cup of coffee from the hand of Dorcas,
+and declined the wing of fowl that Craven Le Noir would have put upon
+her plate.
+
+Not a word was said upon the subject of the mystery of the preceding
+night until Craven Le Noir, without venturing to meet the eyes of the
+young girl, said:
+
+"You look very pale, Clara."
+
+"Miss Day was frightened by the cats last night," said Dorcas.
+
+Clara answered never a word. The ridiculous story essayed to be palmed
+off upon her credulity in explanation of the night's mystery had not
+gained an instant's belief.
+
+She knew that the cry that had startled her from sleep had burst in
+strong agony from human lips!
+
+That the helpless weight she had heard dragged down the stairs and
+along the whole length of the passage was some dead or insensible human
+form!
+
+That the blood she had seen upon the hand of Dorcas Knight was--oh,
+heaven! her mind shrank back appalled with horror at the thought which
+she dare not entertain! She could only shudder, pray and trust in God.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CAP FREES THE CAPTIVE.
+
+    Hold, daughter! I do spy a kind of hope,
+    Which craves as desperate an execution
+    As that is desperate, which we would prevent
+    And if thou darest, I'll give thee remedy!
+    Hold, then! go home, be merry, give consent
+    To marry Paris! Wednesday is to-morrow!
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+As the autumn weather was now very pleasant, Capitola continued her
+rides, and, without standing on ceremony, repeated her visit to the
+Hidden House. She was, as usual, followed by Wool, who kept at a
+respectful distance, and who, during his mistress' visit, remained
+outside in attendance upon the horses.
+
+Capitola luckily was in no danger of encountering Colonel Le Noir, who,
+since the night of the mysterious tragedy, had not returned home, but
+had gone to and settled in his winter quarters in Washington city.
+
+But she again met Craven Le Noir, who, contrary to his usual custom of
+accompanying his father upon his annual migrations to the metropolis,
+had, upon this occasion, remained home in close attendance upon his
+cousin, the wealthy orphan.
+
+Capitola found Clara the same sweet, gentle and patient girl, with this
+difference only, that her youthful brow was now overshadowed by a heavy
+trouble which could not wholly be explained by her state of orphanage
+or her sorrow for the dead--it was too full of anxiety, gloom and
+terror to have reference to the past alone.
+
+Capitola saw all this and, trusting in her own powers, would have
+sought the confidence of the poor girl, with the view of soothing her
+sorrows and helping her out of her difficulties; but Miss Day, candid
+upon all other topics, was strangely reserved upon this subject, and
+Capitola, with all her eccentricity, was too delicate to seek to
+intrude upon the young mourner's sanctuary of grief.
+
+But a crisis was fast approaching which rendered further concealment
+difficult and dangerous, and which threw Clara for protection upon the
+courage, presence of mind and address of Capitola.
+
+Since Clara Day had parted with her betrothed and had taken up her
+residence beneath her guardian's roof, she had regularly written both
+to Traverse at St. Louis and to his mother at Staunton. But she had
+received no reply from either mother or son. And months had passed,
+filling the mind of Clara with anxiety upon their account.
+
+She did not for one moment doubt their constancy. Alas! it required but
+little perspicacity on her part to perceive that the letters on either
+side must have been intercepted by the Le Noirs--father and son.
+
+Her greatest anxiety was lest Mrs. Rocke and Traverse, failing to hear
+from her, should imagine that she had forgotten them. She longed to
+assure them that she had not; but how should she do this? It was
+perfectly useless to write and send the letter to the post-office by
+any servant at the Hidden House, for such a letter was sure to find its
+way--not into the mail bags, but into the pocket of Colonel Le Noir.
+
+Finally, Clara resolved to entrust honest Cap with so much of her story
+as would engage her interest and co-operation, and then confide to her
+care a letter to be placed in the post-office. Clara had scarcely come
+to this resolution ere, as we said, an imminent crisis obliged her to
+seek the further aid of Capitola.
+
+Craven Le Noir had never abated his unacceptable attentions to the
+orphan heiress. Day by day, on the contrary, to Clara's unspeakable
+distress, these attentions grew more pointed and alarming.
+
+At first she had received them coldly and repulsed them gently; but as
+they grew more ardent and devoted she became colder and more reserved,
+until at length, by maintaining a freezing hauteur at variance with her
+usually sweet temper, she sought to repel the declaration that was ever
+ready to fall from his lips.
+
+But, notwithstanding her evident abhorrence of his suit, Craven Le Noir
+persisted in his purpose.
+
+And so one morning he entered the parlor and, finding Clara alone, he
+closed the door, seated himself beside her, took her hand and made a
+formal declaration of love and proposal of marriage, urging his suit
+with all the eloquence of which he was master.
+
+Now, Clara Day, a Christian maiden, a recently bereaved orphan and an
+affianced bride, had too profound a regard for her duties toward God,
+her father's will and her betrothed husband's rights to treat this
+attempted invasion of her faith in any other than the most deliberate,
+serious and dignified manner.
+
+"I am very sorry, Mr. Le Noir, that it has at length come to this. I
+thought I had conducted myself in such a manner as totally to
+discourage any such purpose as this which you have just honored me by
+disclosing. Now, however, that the subject may be set at rest forever,
+I feel bound to announce to you that my hand is already plighted," said
+Clara, gravely.
+
+"But, my fairest and dearest love, your little hand cannot be plighted
+without the consent of your guardian, who would never countenance the
+impudent pretensions which I understand to be made by the low-born
+young man to whom I presume you allude. That engagement was a very
+foolish affair, my dear girl, and only to be palliated on the ground of
+your extreme childishness at the time of its being made. You must
+forget the whole matter, my sweetest love, and prepare yourself to
+listen to a suit more worthy of your social position," said Craven Le
+Noir, attempting to steal his arm around her waist.
+
+Clara coldly repelled him, saying:
+
+"I am at a loss to understand, Mr. Le Noir, what act of levity on my
+part has given you the assurance to offer me this affront!"
+
+"Do you call it an affront, fair cousin, that I lay my hand and heart
+and fortune at your feet?"
+
+"I have called your act, sir, by its gentlest name. Under the
+circumstances I might well have called it an outrage!"
+
+"And what may be those circumstances that convert an act
+of--adoration--into an outrage, my sweet cousin?"
+
+"Sir, you know them well. I have not concealed from you or my guardian
+that I am the affianced bride of Doctor Rocke, nor that our troth was
+plighted with the full consent of my dear father," said Clara, gravely.
+
+"Tut, tut, tut, my charming cousin, that was mere child's play--a
+school-girl's romantic whim. Do not dream that your guardian will ever
+permit you to throw yourself away upon that low-bred fellow."
+
+"Mr. Le Noir, if you permit yourself to address me in this manner, I
+shall feel compelled to retire. I cannot remain here to have my honored
+father's will and memory, and the rights of my betrothed, insulted in
+my person!" said Clara, rising to leave the room.
+
+"No--stay! forgive me, Clara! pardon me, gentlest girl, if, in my great
+love for you, I grow impatient of any other claim upon your heart,
+especially from such an unworthy quarter. Clara, you are a mere child,
+full of generous but romantic sentiments and dangerous impulses. You
+require extra vigilance and firm exercise of authority on the part of
+your guardian to save you from certain self-destruction. And some day,
+sweet girl, you will thank us for preserving you from the horrors of
+such a mésalliance," said Craven Le Noir, gently detaining her.
+
+"I tell you, Mr. Le Noir, that your manner of speaking of my betrothal
+is equally insulting to myself, Doctor Rocke and my dear father, who
+never would have plighted our hands had he considered our prospective
+marriage a mésalliance."
+
+"Nor do I suppose he ever did plight your hands--while in his right
+senses!"
+
+"Oh, sir, this has been discussed before. I beg of you to let the
+subject drop forever, remembering that I hold myself sacredly betrothed
+to Traverse Rocke, and ready--when, at my legal majority, he shall
+claim me--to redeem my plighted faith by becoming his wife."
+
+"Clara, this is madness! It must not be endured, nor shall not! I have
+hitherto sought to win your hand by showing you the great extent of my
+love; but be careful how you scorn that love or continue to taunt me
+with the mention of an unworthy rival. For, though I use gentle means,
+should I find them fail of their purpose, I shall know how to avail
+myself of harsher ones."
+
+Clara disdained reply, except by permitting her clear eye to pass over
+him from head to foot with an expression of consuming scorn that
+scathed him to the quick.
+
+"I tell you to be careful, Clara Day! I come to you armed with the
+authority of your legal guardian, my father, Colonel Le Noir, who will
+forestall your foolish purpose of throwing yourself and your fortune
+away upon a beggar, even though to do so he strain his authority and
+coerce you into taking a more suitable companion," said Craven Le Noir,
+rising impatiently and pacing the floor. But no sooner had he spoken
+these words than he saw how greatly he had injured his cause and
+repented them. Going to Clara and intercepting her as she was about to
+leave the room, he gently took her hand and, dropping his eyes to the
+floor with a look of humility and penitence, he said:
+
+"Clara, my sweet cousin, I know not how sufficiently to express my
+sorrow at having been hurried into harshness toward you--toward you
+whom I love more than my own soul, and whom it is the fondest wish of
+my heart to call wife. I can only excuse myself for this or any future
+extravagance of manner by my excessive love for you and the jealousy
+that maddens my brain at the bare mention of my rival. That is it,
+sweet girl. Can you forgive one whom love and jealousy have hurried
+into frenzy?"
+
+"Mr. Le Noir, the Bible enjoins me to forgive injuries. I shall
+endeavor, when I can, to forgive you, though for the present my heart
+is still burning under the sense of wrongs done toward myself and those
+whom I love and esteem, and the only way in which you can make me
+forget what has just passed will be--never to repeat the offence." And
+with these words Clara bent her head and passed from the room.
+
+Could she have seen the malignant scowl and gesture with which Craven
+Le Noir followed her departure, she would scarcely have trusted his
+expressions of penitence.
+
+Lifting his arm above his head he fiercely shook his fist after her and
+exclaimed:
+
+"Go on, insolent girl, and imagine that you have humbled me; but the
+tune shall be changed by this day month, for before that time whatever
+power the law gives the husband over his wife and her property shall be
+mine over you and your possessions. Then we will see who shall be
+insolent; then we shall see whose proud blue eye shall day after day
+dare to look up and rebuke me. Oh! to get you in my power, my girl! Not
+that I love you, moon-faced creature, but I want your possessions,
+which is quite as strong an incentive."
+
+Then he fell into thought. He had an ugly way of scowling and biting
+his nails when deeply brooding over any subject, and now he walked
+slowly up and down the floor with his head upon his breast, his brows
+drawn over his nose and his four fingers between his teeth, gnawing
+away like a wild beast, while he muttered:
+
+"She is not like the other one; she has more sense and strength; she
+will give us more trouble. We must continue to try fair means a little
+longer. It will be difficult, for I am not accustomed to control my
+passions, even for a purpose--yet, penitence and love are the only
+cards to be played to this insolent girl for the present.
+Afterwards!--" Here his soliloquy muttered itself into silence, his
+head sank deeper upon his breast, his brows gathered lower over his
+nose and he walked and gnawed his nails like a hungry wolf.
+
+The immediate result of this cogitation was that he went into the
+library and wrote off a letter to his father, telling him all that had
+transpired between himself and Clara, and asking his further counsel.
+
+He dispatched this letter and waited an answer.
+
+During the week that ensued before he could hope to hear from Colonel
+Le Noir, he treated Clara with marked deference and respect.
+
+And Clara, on her part, did not tax his forbearance by appearing in his
+presence oftener than she could possibly avoid.
+
+At the end of the week the expected letter came. It was short and to
+the purpose. It ran thus:
+
+                                        Washington, Dec. 14, 18--
+
+    MY DEAR CRAVEN--You are losing time. Do not hope to win the girl by
+    the means you propose. She is too acute to be deceived, and too
+    firm to be persuaded. We must not hesitate to use the only possible
+    means by which we can coerce her into compliance. I shall follow
+    this letter by the first stage coach, and before the beginning of
+    the next month Clara Day shall be your wife. Your Affectionate
+    Father,
+
+                                        GABRIEL LE NOIR,
+
+    C. LE NOIR, ESQ., Hidden House.
+
+When Craven Le Noir read this letter his thin, white face and deep-set
+eyes lighted up with triumph. But Craven Le Noir huzzaed before he was
+out of the woods. He had not calculated upon Capitola.
+
+The next day Colonel Le Noir came to the Hidden House. He arrived late
+in the afternoon.
+
+After refreshing himself with a bath, a change of clothing and a light
+luncheon, he went to the library, where he passed the remainder of the
+evening in a confidential conference with his son. Their supper was
+ordered to be served up to them there; and for that evening Clara had
+the comfort of taking her tea alone.
+
+The result of this conference was that the next morning, after
+breakfast, Colonel Le Noir sent for Miss Day to come to him in the
+library.
+
+When Clara, nerving her gentle heart to resist a sinful tyranny,
+entered the library, Colonel Le Noir arose and courteously handed her
+to a chair, and then, seating himself beside her, said:
+
+"My dear Clara, the responsibilities of a guardian are always very
+onerous, and his duties not always very agreeable, especially when his
+ward is the sole heiress of a large property and the object of pursuit
+by fortune hunters and maneuverers, male and female. When such is the
+case, the duties and responsibilities of the guardian are augmented a
+hundredfold."
+
+"Sir, this cannot be so in my case, since you are perfectly aware that
+my destiny is, humanly speaking, already decided," replied Clara, with
+gentle firmness.
+
+"As--how, I pray you, my fair ward?"
+
+"You cannot possibly be at a loss to understand, sir. You have been
+already advised that I am betrothed to Doctor Rocke, who will claim me
+as his wife upon the day that I shall complete my twenty-first year."
+
+"Miss Clara Day! no more of that, I beseech you! It is folly, perversity,
+frenzy! But, thanks to the wisdom of legislators, the law very properly
+invests the guardian with great latitude of discretionary power of the
+person and property of his ward--to be used, of course, for that ward's
+best interest. And thus, my dear Clara, it is my duty, while holding
+this power over you, to exercise it for preventing the possibility of
+your ever--either now or at any future time, throwing yourself away
+upon a mere adventurer. To do this, I must provide you with a suitable
+husband. My son, Mr. Craven Le Noir, has long loved and wooed you. He
+is a young man of good reputation and fair prospects. I entirely
+approve his suit, and as your guardian I command you to receive him for
+your destined husband."
+
+"Colonel Le Noir, this is no time 'for bated breath and whispered
+humbleness.' I am but a simple girl of seventeen, but I understand your
+purpose and that of your son just as well as though I were an old man
+of the world. You are the fortune hunters and maneuverers! It is the
+fortune of the wealthy heiress and friendless orphan that you are in
+pursuit of! But that fortune, like my hand and heart, is already
+promised to one I love; and, to speak very plainly to you, I would die
+ere I would disappoint him or wed your son," said Clara, with
+invincible firmness.
+
+"Die, girl! There are worse things than death in the world!" said
+Colonel Le Noir, with a threatening glare.
+
+"I know it! and one of the worst things in the world would be a union
+with a man I could neither esteem nor even endure!" exclaimed Clara.
+
+Colonel Le Noir saw that there was no use in further disguise. Throwing
+off, then, the last restraints of good breeding, he said:
+
+"And there are still more terrible evils for a woman than to be the
+wife of one she 'can neither esteem nor endure!'"
+
+Clara shook her head in proud scorn.
+
+"There are evils to escape which such a woman would go down upon her
+bended knees to be made the wife of such a man."
+
+Clara's gentle eyes flashed with indignation.
+
+"Infamous!" she cried. "You slander all womanhood in my person!"
+
+"The evils to which I allude are--comprised in--a life of dishonor!"
+hissed Le Noir through his set teeth.
+
+"This to my father's daughter!" exclaimed Clara, growing white as death
+at the insult.
+
+"Aye, my girl! It is time we understood each other. You are in my
+power, and I intend to coerce you to my will!"
+
+These words, accompanied as they were by a look that left no doubt upon
+her mind that he would carry out his purpose to any extremity, so
+appalled the maiden's soul that she stood like one suddenly struck with
+catalepsy.
+
+The unscrupulous wretch then approached her and said:
+
+"I am now going to the county seat to take out a marriage license for
+you and my son. I shall have the carriage at the door by six o'clock
+this evening, when I desire that you shall be ready to accompany us to
+church, where a clerical friend will be in attendance to perform the
+marriage ceremony. Clara Day, if you would save your honor, look to
+this!"
+
+All this time Clara had neither moved nor spoken nor breathed. She had
+stood cold, white and still as if turned to stone.
+
+"Let no vain hope of escape delude your mind. The doors will be kept
+locked; the servants are all warned not to suffer you to leave the
+house. Look to it, Clara, for the rising of another sun shall see my
+purpose accomplished!"
+
+And with these words the atrocious wretch left the room. His departure
+took off the dreadful spell that had paralyzed Clara's life; her blood
+began to circulate again; breath came to her lungs and speech to her
+lips.
+
+"Oh, Lord," she cried, "oh, Lord, who delivered the children from the
+fiery furnace, deliver thy poor handmaiden now from her terrible foes!"
+
+While she thus prayed she saw upon the writing table before her a small
+penknife. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes brightened as she seized it.
+
+"This! this!" she said, "this small instrument is sufficient to save
+me! Should the worst ensue, I know where to find the carotid artery,
+and even such a slight puncture as my timorous hand could make would
+set my spirit free! Oh, my father! oh, my father! you little thought
+when you taught your Clara the mysteries of anatomy to what a fearful
+use she would put your lessons! And would it be right? Oh, would it be
+right? One may desire death, but can anything justify suicide? Oh,
+Father in heaven, guide me! guide me!" cried Clara, falling upon her
+knees and sobbing forth this prayer of agony.
+
+Soon approaching footsteps drew her attention. And she had only time to
+rise and put back her damp, disheveled hair from her tear-stained face
+before the door opened and Dorcas Knight appeared and said:
+
+"Here is this young woman come again."
+
+"I declare, Miss Day," said Cap, laughing, "you have the most
+accomplished, polite and agreeable servants here that I ever met with!
+Think with what a courteous welcome this woman received me--'Here you
+are again!' she said. 'You'll come once too often for your own good,
+and that I tell you.' I answered that every time I came it appeared to
+be once too often for her liking. She rejoined, 'The colonel has come
+home, and he don't like company, so I advise you to make your call a
+short one.' I assured her that I should measure the length of my visit
+by the breadth of my will---- But good angels, Clara! what is the matter?
+You look worse than death!" exclaimed Capitola, noticing for the first
+time the pale, wild, despairing face of her companion.
+
+Clara clasped her hands as if in prayer and raised her eyes with an
+appealing gaze into Capitola's face.
+
+"Tell me, dear Clara, what is the matter? How can I help you? What
+shall I do for you?" said our heroine.
+
+Before trusting herself to reply, Clara gazed wistfully into Capitola's
+eyes, as though she would have read her soul.
+
+Cap did not blanch nor for an instant avert her own honest, gray orbs;
+she let Clara gaze straight down through those clear windows of the
+soul into the very soul itself, where she found only truth, honesty and
+courage.
+
+The scrutiny seemed to be satisfactory for Clara soon took the hand of
+her visitor and said:
+
+"Capitola, I will tell you. It is a horrid, horrid story, but you shall
+know all. Come with me to my chamber."
+
+Cap pressed the hand that was so confidingly placed in hers and
+accompanied Clara to her room, where, after the latter had taken the
+precaution to lock the door, the two girls sat down for a confidential
+talk.
+
+Clara, like the author of Robin Hood's Barn, "began at the beginning"
+of her story, and told everything--her betrothal to Traverse Rocke; the
+sudden death of her father; the decision of the Orphans' Court; the
+departure of Traverse for the far West; her arrival at the Hidden
+House; the interruption of all her epistolary correspondence with her
+betrothed and his mother; the awful and mysterious occurrences of that
+dreadful night when she suspected some heinous crime had been
+committed; and finally of the long, unwelcome suit of Craven Le Noir
+and the present attempt to force him upon her as a husband.
+
+Cap listened very calmly to this story, showing very little sympathy,
+for there was not a bit of sentimentality about our Cap.
+
+"And now," whispered Clara, while the pallor of horror overspread her
+face, "by threatening me with a fate worse than death, they would drive
+me to marry Craven Le Noir!"
+
+"Yes, I know I would!" said Cap, as if speaking to herself, but by her
+tone and manner clothing these simple words in the very keenest
+sarcasm.
+
+"What would you do, Capitola?" asked Clara, raising her tearful eyes to
+the last speaker.
+
+"Marry Mr. Craven Le Noir and thank him, too!" said Cap. Then, suddenly
+changing her tone, she exclaimed:
+
+"I wish--oh! how I wish it was only me in your place--that it was only
+me they were trying to marry against my will!"
+
+"What would you do?" asked Clara, earnestly.
+
+"What would I do? Oh! wouldn't I make them know the difference between
+their Sovereign Lady and Sam the Lackey? If I had been in your place
+and that dastard Le Noir had said to me what he said to you, I do
+believe I should have stricken him dead with the lightning of my eyes!
+But what shall you do, my poor Clara?"
+
+"Alas! alas! see here! this is my last resort!" replied the unhappy
+girl, showing the little pen-knife.
+
+"Put it away from you! put it away from you!" exclaimed Capitola
+earnestly, "suicide is never, never, never justifiable! God is the Lord
+of life and death! He is the only judge whether a mortal's sorrows are
+to be relieved by death, and when He does not Himself release you, He
+means that you shall live and endure! That proves that suicide is never
+right, let the Roman pagans have said and done what they pleased. So no
+more of that! There are enough other ways of escape for you!"
+
+"Ah! what are they? You would give me life by teaching me how to
+escape!" said Clara, fervently.
+
+"The first and most obvious means that suggests itself to my mind,"
+said Cap, "is to--run away!"
+
+"Ah! that is impossible. The servants are warned; the doors are all
+locked; I am watched!"
+
+"Then the next plan is equally obvious. Consent to go with them to the
+church, and when you get there, denounce them and claim the protection
+of the clergyman!"
+
+"Ah! dear girl, that is still more impracticable. The officiating
+clergyman is their friend, and even if I could consent to act a
+deceitful part, and should go to church as if to marry Craven and upon
+getting there denounce him, instead of receiving the protection of the
+clergyman I should be restored to the hands of my legal guardian and be
+brought back here to meet a fate worse than death," said Clara, in a
+tone of despair.
+
+Capitola did not at once reply, but fell into deep thought, which
+lasted many minutes. Then, speaking more gravely than she had spoken
+before, she said:
+
+"There is but one plan of escape left, your only remaining chance, and
+that full of danger!"
+
+"Oh, why should I fear danger? What evil can befall me so great as that
+which now threatens me?" said Clara.
+
+"This plan requires on your part great courage, self-control and
+presence of mind."
+
+"Teach me! teach me, dear Capitola. I will be an apt pupil!"
+
+"I have thought it all out, and will tell you my plan. It is now eleven
+o'clock in the forenoon, and the carriage is to come for you at six
+this evening, I believe?"
+
+"Yes! yes!"
+
+"Then you have seven hours in which to save yourself! And this is my
+plan: First, Clara, you must change clothes with me, giving me your
+suit of mourning and putting on my riding habit, hat and veil! Then,
+leaving me here in your place, you are to pull the veil down closely
+over your face and walk right out of the house! No one will speak to
+you, for they never do to me. When you have reached the park, spring
+upon my horse and put whip to him for the village of Tip Top. My
+servant, Wool, will ride after you, but not speak to you or approach
+near enough to discover your identity--for he has been ordered by his
+master to keep me in sight, and he has been forbidden by his mistress
+to intrude upon her privacy. You will reach Tip Top by three o'clock,
+when the Staunton stage passes through. You may then reveal yourself to
+Wool, give my horse into his charge, get into the coach and start for
+Staunton. Upon reaching that place, put yourself under the protection
+of your friends, the two old physicians, and get them to prosecute your
+guardian for cruelty and flagrant abuse of authority. Be cool, firm and
+alert, and all will be well!"
+
+Clara, who had listened to this little Napoleon in petticoats with
+breathless interest, now clasped her hands in a wild ecstasy of joy and
+exclaimed:
+
+"I will try it! Oh, Capitola, I will try it! Heaven bless you for the
+counsel!"
+
+"Be quick, then; change your dress! provide yourself with a purse of
+money, and I will give you particular directions how to make a short
+cut for Tip Top. Ha, ha, ha! when they come for the bride she will be
+already rolling on the turnpike between Tip Top and Staunton!"
+
+"But you! Oh, you, my generous deliverer?"
+
+"I shall dress myself in your clothes and stay here in your place to
+keep you from being missed, so as to give you full time to make your
+escape."
+
+"But--you will place yourself in the enraged lion's jaws! You will
+remain in the power of two men who know neither justice nor mercy! Who,
+in their love or their hate, fear neither God nor man! Oh, Capitola!
+how can I take an advantage of your generosity, and leave you here in
+such extreme peril? Capitola, I cannot do it!"
+
+"Well, then, I believe, you must be anxious to marry Craven Le Noir!"
+
+"Oh, Capitola!"
+
+"Well, if you are not, hurry and get ready; there is no time to be
+lost!"
+
+"But you! but you, my generous friend!"
+
+"Never mind me. I shall be safe enough! I am not afraid of the Le
+Noirs. Bless their wigs; I should like to see them make me blanch. On
+the contrary, I desire above all things to be pitted against these two!
+How I shall enjoy their disappointment and rage! Oh, it will be a rare
+frolic!"
+
+While Capitola was speaking she was also busily engaged doing. She went
+softly to the door and turned the key in the lock, to prevent any one
+from looking through the keyhole, murmuring as she did it:
+
+"I wasn't brought up among the detective policemen for nothing!"
+
+Then she began to take off her riding-habit. Quickly she dressed Clara,
+superintending all the details of her disguise as carefully as though
+she were the costumer of a new debutante. When Clara was dressed she
+was so nearly of the same size and shape of Capitola that from behind
+no one would have suspected her identity.
+
+"There, Clara! tuck your light hair out of the way; pull your cap over
+your eyes; gather your veil down close; draw up your figure; throw back
+your head; walk with a little springy sway and swagger, as if you
+didn't care a damson for anybody, and--there! I declare no one could
+tell you from me!" exclaimed Capitola in delight, as she completed the
+disguise and the instructions of Clara.
+
+Then Capitola dressed herself in Clara's deep mourning robes. And then
+the two girls sat down to compose themselves for a few minutes, while
+Capitola gave new and particular directions for Clara's course and
+conduct, so as to insure as far as human foresight could do it, the
+safe termination of her perilous adventure. By the time they had ended
+their talk the hall clock struck twelve.
+
+"There! it is full time you should be off! Be calm, be cool, be firm,
+and God bless you, Clara! Dear girl! if I were only a young man I would
+deliver you by the strength of my own arms, without subjecting you to
+inconvenience or danger!" said Cap, gallantly, as she led Clara to the
+chamber door and carefully gathered her thick veil in close folds over
+her face, so as entirely to conceal it.
+
+"Oh, may the Lord in heaven bless and preserve and reward you, my
+brave, my noble, my heroic Capitola!" said Clara, fervently, with the
+tears rushing to her eyes.
+
+"Bosh!" said Cap. "If you go doing the sentimental you won't look like
+me a bit, and that will spoil all. There! keep your veil close, for
+it's windy, you know; throw back your head and fling yourself along
+with a swagger, as if you didn't care, ahem! for anybody, and--there
+you are!" said Cap, pushing Clara out and shutting the door behind her.
+
+Clara paused an instant to offer up one short, fervent prayer for her
+success and Capitola's safety, and then following her instructions,
+went on.
+
+Nearly all girls are clever imitators, and Clara readily adopted
+Capitola's light, springy, swaying walk, and met old Dorcas Knight in
+the hall, without exciting the slightest suspicion of her identity.
+
+"Humph!" said the woman; "so you are going! I advise you not to come
+back again!"
+
+Clara threw up her head with a swagger, and went on.
+
+"Very well, you may scorn my words, but if you know your own good
+you'll follow my advice!" said Dorcas Knight, harshly.
+
+Clara flung up her head and passed out.
+
+Before the door Wool was waiting with the horses. Keeping her face
+closely muffled, Clara went to Capitola's pony. Wool came and helped
+her into the saddle, saying:
+
+"Yer does right, Miss Cap, to keep your face kivered; it's awful windy,
+ain't it, though? I kin scarcely keep the har from blowing offen my
+head."
+
+With an impatient jerk after the manner of Capitola, Clara signified
+that she did not wish to converse. Wool dropped obediently behind,
+mounted his horse and followed at a respectful distance until Clara
+turned her horse's head and took the bridle-path toward Tip Top. This
+move filled poor Wool with dismay. Riding toward her, he exclaimed:
+
+"'Deed, Miss Cap, yer mus' scuse me for speakin' now! Whar de muschief
+is yer a-goin' to?"
+
+For all answer Clara, feigning the temper of Capitola, suddenly wheeled
+her horse, elevated her riding whip and galloped upon Wool in a
+threatening manner.
+
+Wool dodged and backed his horse with all possible expedition,
+exclaiming in consternation:
+
+"Dar! dar! Miss Cap, I won't go for to ax you any more questions--no--not
+if yer rides straight to Old Nick or Black Donald!"
+
+Whereupon, receiving this apology in good part, Clara again turned her
+horse's head and rode on her way.
+
+Wool followed, bemoaning the destiny that kept him between the two
+fierce fires of his old master's despotism and his young mistress's
+caprice, and muttering:
+
+"I know old marse and dis young gal am goin' to be the death of me! I
+knows it jes' as well as nuffin at all! I 'clare to man, if it ain't
+nuf to make anybody go heave themselves right into a grist mill and be
+ground up at once."
+
+Wool spoke no more until they got to Tip Top, when Clara still closely
+veiled, rode up to the stage office just as the coach, half filled with
+passengers, was about to start. Springing from her horse, she went up
+to Wool and said:
+
+"Here, man, take this horse back to Hurricane Hall! Tell Major Warfield
+that Miss Black remains at the Hidden House in imminent danger! Ask him
+to ride there and bring her home! Tell Miss Black when you see her that
+I reached Tip Top safe and in time to take the coach. Tell her I will
+never cease to be grateful! And now, here is a half eagle for your
+trouble! Good-by, and God bless you!" And she put the piece in his hand
+and took her place in the coach, which immediately started.
+
+As for Wool! From the time that Clara had thrown aside her veil and
+began to speak to him he had stood staring and staring--his consternation
+growing and growing--until it had seemed to have turned him into
+stone--from which state of petrefaction he did not recover until he saw
+the stage coach roll rapidly away, carrying off--whom?--Capitola, Clara
+or the evil one?--Wool could not have told which! He presently
+astounded the people about the stage office by leaving his horses and
+taking to his heels after the stage coach, vociferating:
+
+"Murder! murder! help! help! stop thief! stop thief! stop the coach!
+stop the coach!"
+
+"What is the matter, man?" said a constable, trying to head him.
+
+But Wool incontinently ran over that officer, throwing him down and
+keeping on his headlong course, hat off, coat-tail streaming and legs
+and arms flying like the sails of a windmill, as he tried to overtake
+the coach, crying:
+
+"Help! murder! head the horses! Stop the coach! Old marse told me not
+to lose sight of her! Oh, for hebben's sake, good people, stop the
+coach!"
+
+When he got to a gate, instead of taking time to open it, he rolled
+himself somersault-like right over it! When he met man or woman,
+instead of turning from his straight course, he knocked them over and
+passed on, garments flying and legs and arms circulating with the
+velocity of a wheel.
+
+The people whom he had successively met and overthrown in his course,
+picking themselves up and getting into the village, reported that there
+was a furious madman broke loose, who attacked every one he met.
+
+And soon every man and boy in the village who could mount a horse
+started in pursuit. Only race horses would have beaten the speed with
+which Wool ran, urged on by fear. It was nine miles on the turnpike
+road from Tip Top that the horsemen overtook and surrounded Wool, who,
+seeing himself hopelessly environed, fell down upon the ground and
+rolled and kicked, swearing that he would not be taken alive to have
+his eyelids cut off!
+
+It was not until after a desperate resistance that he was finally
+taken, bound, put in a wagon and carried back to the village, where he
+was recognized as Major Warfield's man and a messenger was despatched
+for his master.
+
+And not until he had been repeatedly assured that no harm should befall
+him did Wool gain composure enough to say, amid tears of cruel grief
+and fear:
+
+"Oh, marsers! my young missus, Miss Black, done been captured and
+bewitched and turned into somebody else, right afore my own two looking
+eyes and gone off in dat coach! 'deed she is! and ole marse kill me!
+'deed he will, gemmen! He went and ordered me not to take my eyes offen
+her, and no more I didn't! But what good that do, when she turned to
+somebody else, and went off right afore my two looking eyes? But ole
+marse won't listen to reason. He kill me, I know he will!" whimpered
+Wool, refusing to be comforted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+CAP IN CAPTIVITY.
+
+    I lingered here and rescue planned
+    For Clara and for me.
+
+                          --Scott.
+
+
+Meanwhile how fared it with Capitola in the Hidden House?
+
+"I am in for it now!" said Cap, as she closed the door behind Clara; "I
+am in for it now! This is a jolly imprudent adventure! What will Wool
+do when he discovers that he has 'lost sight' of me? What will uncle
+say when he finds out what I've done? Whe--ew! Uncle will explode! I
+wonder if the walls at Hurricane Hall will be strong enough to stand
+it! Wool will go mad! I doubt if he will ever do a bit more good in
+this world!
+
+"But above all, I wonder what the Le Noirs, father and son, will say
+when they find that the heiress is flown and a 'beggar,' as uncle
+flatters me by calling me, will be here in her place! Whe--ew--ew--ew!
+There will be a tornado! Cap, child, they'll murder you! That's just
+what they'll do! They'll kill and eat you, Cap, without any salt! or
+they may lock you up in the haunted room to live with the ghost, Cap,
+and that would be worse!
+
+"Hush! here comes Dorcas Knight! Now I must make believe I'm Clara, and
+do the sentimental up brown!" concluded Capitola, as she seated herself
+near the door where she could be heard, and began to sob softly.
+
+Dorcas rapped.
+
+Cap sobbed in response.
+
+"Are you coming to luncheon, Miss Day?" inquired the woman.
+
+"Ee--hee! Ee--hee! Ee--hee! I do not want to eat," sobbed Cap, in a low
+and smothered voice. Any one would have thought she was drowned in
+tears.
+
+"Very well; just as you like," said the woman harshly, as she went
+away.
+
+"Well, I declare," laughed Cap, "I did that quite as well as an actress
+could! But now what am I to do? How long can I keep this up? Heigh-ho
+'let the world slide!' I'll not reveal myself until I'm driven to it,
+for when I do----! Cap, child, you'll get chawed right up!"
+
+A little later in the day Dorcas Knight came again and rapped at the
+door.
+
+"Ee--hee! Eeh--hee! Ee--hee!" sobbed Cap.
+
+"Miss Day, your cousin, Craven Le Noir, wishes to speak with you
+alone."
+
+"Ee--hee! Ee--hee! Ee--hee! I cannot see him!" sobbed Cap, in a low and
+suffocating voice.
+
+The woman went away, and Cap suffered no other interruption until six
+o'clock, when Dorcas Knight once more rapped saying:
+
+"Miss Day, your uncle is at the front door with the carriage, and he
+wishes to know if you are ready to obey him.
+
+"Ee--hee! Ee--hee! Ee--hee!--te--te--tell him yes!" sobbed Cap, as if
+her heart would break.
+
+The woman went off with this answer, and Capitola hastily enveloped her
+form in Clara's large, black shawl, put on Clara's black bonnet and
+tied her thick mourning veil closely over her face.
+
+"A pretty bridal dress, this; but, however, I suppose these men are no
+more particular about my costume than they are about their own
+conduct," said Cap.
+
+She had just drawn on her gloves when she heard the footsteps of two
+men approaching. They rapped at the door.
+
+"Come in," she sobbed, in a low, broken voice, that might have belonged
+to any girl in deep distress, and she put a white cambric handkerchief
+up to her eyes and drew her thick veil closely over her face.
+
+The two Le Noirs immediately entered the room. Craven approached her
+and whispered, softly:
+
+"You will forgive me this, my share in these proceedings after awhile,
+sweet Clara! The Sabine women did not love the Roman youths the less
+that they were forcibly made wives by them."
+
+"Ee--hee! Ee--hee! Ee--hee!" sobbed Cap, entirely concealing her white
+cambric handkerchief under her impenetrable veil.
+
+"Come, come! we lose time!" said the elder Le Noir. "Draw her arm
+within yours, Craven, and lead her out."
+
+The young man did as he was directed and led Cap from the room. It was
+now quite dark--the long, dreary passage was only dimly lighted by a
+hanging lamp, so that with the care she took there was scarcely a
+possibility of Capitola's being discovered. They went on, Craven Le
+Noir whispering hypocritical apologies and Cap replying only by low
+sobs.
+
+When they reached the outer door they found a close carriage drawn up
+before the house.
+
+To this Craven Le Noir led Capitola, placed her within and took the
+seat by her side. Colonel Le Noir followed and placed himself in the
+front seat opposite them. And the carriage was driven rapidly off.
+
+An hour's ride brought the party to an obscure church in the depths of
+the forest, which Capitola recognized by the cross on its top to be a
+Roman Catholic chapel.
+
+Here the carriage drew up and the two Le Noirs got out and assisted
+Capitola to alight.
+
+They then led her into the church, which was dimly illumined by a pair
+of wax candles burning before the altar. A priest in his sacerdotal
+robes was in attendance. A few country people were scattered thinly
+about among the pews, at their private devotions.
+
+Guarded by Craven Le Noir on the right and Colonel Le Noir on the left,
+Capitola was marched up the aisle and placed before the altar.
+
+Colonel Le Noir then went and spoke apart to the officiating priest,
+saying, in a tone of dissatisfaction:
+
+"I told you, sir, that as our bride was an orphan, recently bereaved,
+and still in deep mourning, we wished the marriage ceremony to be
+strictly private, and you gave me to understand, sir, that at this hour
+the chapel was most likely to be vacant. Yet, here I find a half a
+score of people! How is this?"
+
+"Sir," replied the priest, "it is true that at this hour of the evening
+the chapel is most likely to be vacant, but it is not therefore certain
+to be so! nor did I promise as much! Our chapel is, as you know, open
+at all hours of the day and night, that all who please may come and
+pray. These people that you see are hard-working farm laborers, who
+have no time to come in the day, and who are now here to offer up their
+evening prayers, and also, some of them, to examine their consciences
+preparatory to confession! They can certainly be no interruption to
+this ceremony."
+
+"Egad, I don't know that!" muttered Colonel Le Noir between his teeth.
+
+As for Cap, the sight of other persons present in the chapel filled her
+heart with joy and exultation, inasmuch as it insured her final safety.
+And so she just abandoned herself to the spirit of frolic that
+possessed her, and anticipated with the keenest relish the dénouement
+of her strange adventure.
+
+"Well, what are we waiting for? Proceed, sir, proceed!" said Colonel Le
+Noir as he took Cap by the shoulders and placed her on the left side of
+his son, while he himself stood behind ready to "give the bride away."
+
+The ceremony immediately commenced.
+
+The prologue beginning, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together
+here," etc., etc., etc., was read.
+
+The solemn exhortation to the contracting parties, commencing "I
+require and charge ye both, as ye shall answer in the dreadful day of
+judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if
+either of you know any just cause or impediment why ye may not lawfully
+be joined together," etc., etc., etc., followed.
+
+Capitola listened to all this with the deepest attention, saying to
+herself: "Well, I declare, this getting married is really awfully
+interesting! If it were not for Herbert Greyson, I'd just let it go
+right straight on to the end and see what would happen next!"
+
+While Cap was making these mental comments the priest was asking the
+bridegroom:
+
+"Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife," etc., etc., etc.,
+"so long as ye both shall live?"
+
+To which Craven Le Noir, in a sonorous voice responded:
+
+"I will."
+
+"Indeed you will? We'll see that presently!" said Cap to herself.
+
+The priest then turning toward the bride, inquired:
+
+"Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, etc., etc., etc.,
+so long as ye both shall live?"
+
+To which the bride, throwing aside her veil, answered, firmly:
+
+"No! not if he were the last man and I the last woman on the face of
+the earth and the human race was about to become extinct and the angel
+of Gabriel came down from above to ask it of me as a personal favor."
+
+The effect of this outburst, this revelation, this explosion, may be
+imagined but can never be adequately described.
+
+The priest dropped his book and stood with lifted hands and open mouth
+and staring eyes as though he had raised a ghost!
+
+The two Le Noirs simultaneously sprang forward, astonishment,
+disappointment and rage contending in their blanched faces.
+
+"Who are you, girl?" exclaimed Colonel Le Noir.
+
+"Capitola Black, your honor's glory!" she replied, making a deep
+curtsey.
+
+"What the foul fiend is the meaning of all this?" in the same breath
+inquired the father and son.
+
+Cap put her thumb on the side of her nose, and, whirling her four
+fingers, replied:
+
+"It means, your worships' excellencies, that--you--can't come it! it's
+no go! this chicken won't fight. It means that the fat's in the fire,
+and the cat's out of the bag! It means confusion! distraction!
+perdition! and a tearing off of our wigs! It means the game's up, the
+play's over, villainy is about to be hanged and virtue about to be
+married, and the curtain is going to drop and the principal
+performer--that's I--is going to be called out amid the applause of the
+audience!" Then, suddenly changing her mocking tone to one of great
+severity, she said:
+
+"It means that you have been outwitted by a girl! It means that your
+purposed victim has fled, and is by this time in safety! It means that
+you two, precious father and son, would be a pair of knaves if you had
+sense enough; but, failing in that, you are only a pair of fools!"
+
+By this time the attention of the few persons in the church was
+aroused. They all arose to their feet to look and listen, and some of
+them left their places and approached the altar. And to these latter
+Capitola now suddenly turned and said, aloud:
+
+"Good people, I am Capitola Black, the niece and ward of Major Ira
+Warfield, of Hurricane Hall, whom you all know, and now I claim your
+protection while I shall tell you the meaning of my presence here!"
+
+"Don't listen to her. She is a maniac!" cried Colonel Le Noir.
+
+"Stop her mouth!" cried Craven, springing upon Capitola and holding her
+tightly in the grasp of his right arm, while he covered her lips and
+nostrils with his large left hand.
+
+Capitola struggled so fiercely to free herself that Craven had enough
+to do to hold her, and so was not aware of a ringing footstep coming up
+the aisle, until a stunning blow dealt from a strong arm covered his
+face with blood and stretched him out at Capitola's feet.
+
+Cap flushed, breathless and confused, looked up and was caught to the
+bosom of Herbert Greyson, who, pale with concentrated rage, held her
+closely and inquired:
+
+"Capitola! What violence is this which has been done you? Explain! who
+is the aggressor?"
+
+"Wai--wai--wait until I get my breath! There! that was good! That
+villain has all but strangled me to death? Oh, Herbert, I'm so
+delighted you've come! How is it that you always drop right down at the
+right time and on the right spot?" said Cap, while gasping for breath.
+
+"I will tell you another time! Now I want an explanation."
+
+"Yes, Herbert; I also wish to explain--not only to you but to these
+gaping, good people! Let me have a hearing!" said Cap.
+
+"She is mad! absolutely mad!" cried Colonel Le Noir, who was assisting
+his son to rise.
+
+"Silence, sir!" thundered Herbert Greyson, advancing toward him with
+uplifted and threatening hand.
+
+"Gentlemen! gentlemen! pray remember that you are within the walls of a
+church!" said the distressed priest.
+
+"Craven, this is no place for us; let us go and pursue our fugitive
+ward," whispered Colonel Le Noir to his son.
+
+"We might as well; for it is clear that all is over here!" replied
+Craven. And the two baffled villains turned to leave the place. But
+Herbert Greyson, speaking up, said:
+
+"Good people, prevent the escape of those men until we hear what this
+young lady has to say! that we may judge whether to let them go or to
+take them before a magistrate."
+
+The people flew to the doors and windows and secured them, and then
+surrounded the two Le Noirs, who found themselves prisoners.
+
+"Now, Capitola, tell us how it is that you are here!" said Herbert
+Greyson.
+
+"Well, that elder man," said Cap, "is the guardian of a young heiress
+who was betrothed to a worthy young man, one Doctor Traverse Rocke."
+
+"My friend!" interrupted Herbert.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Greyson, your friend! Their engagement was approved by the
+young lady's father, who gave them his dying blessing. Nevertheless, in
+the face of all this, this 'guardian' here, appointed by the Orphans'
+Court to take charge of the heiress and her fortune, undertakes, for
+his own ends, to compel the young lady to break her engagement and
+marry his own son! To drive her to this measure, he does not hesitate
+to use every species of cruelty. This night he was to have forced her
+to this altar! But in the interval, to-day, I chanced to visit her at
+the house where she was confined. Being informed by her of her
+distressing situation, and having no time to help her in any better
+way, I just changed clothes with her. She escaped unsuspected in my
+dress. And those two heroes there, mistaking me for her, forced me into
+a carriage and dragged me hither to be married against my will. And
+instead of catching an heiress, they caught a Tartar, that's all! And
+now, Herbert, let the two poor wretches go hide their mortification,
+and do you take me home, for I am immensely tired of doing the
+sentimental, making speeches and piling up the agonies!"
+
+While Cap was delivering this long oration, the two Le Noirs had made
+several essays to interrupt and contradict her, but were effectually
+prevented by the people, whose sympathies were all with the speaker.
+Now, at Herbert Greyson's command, they released the culprits, who,
+threatening loudly took their departure.
+
+Herbert then led Capitola out and placed her upon her own pony, Gyp,
+which, to her unbounded astonishment, she found there in charge of
+Wool, who was also mounted upon his own hack.
+
+Herbert Greyson threw himself into the saddle of a third horse, and the
+three took the road to Hurricane Hall.
+
+"And now," said Capitola, as Herbert rode up to her side, "for mercy
+sake tell me, before I go crazy with conjecture, how it happened that
+you dropped down from the sky at the very moment and on the very spot
+where you were needed? and where did you light upon Wool and the
+horses?"
+
+"It is very simple when you come to understand it," said Herbert,
+smiling. "In the first place, you know, I graduated at the last
+commencement."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I have just received a lieutenant's commission in a regiment
+that is ordered to join General Scott in Mexico."
+
+"Oh, Herbert, that is news, and I don't know whether to be in despair
+or in ecstasy!" said Cap, ready to laugh or cry, as a feather's weight
+might tip the scales in which she balanced Herbert's new honors with
+his approaching perils.
+
+"If there's any doubt about it, I decidedly recommend the latter
+emotion," said Herbert, laughing.
+
+"When do you go?" inquired Cap.
+
+"Our regiment embarks from Baltimore on the first of next month.
+Meanwhile I got leave of absence to come and spend a week with my
+friends at home!"
+
+"Oh, Herbert, I--I am in a quandary! But you haven't told me yet how
+you happened to meet Wool and to come here just in the nick of time!"
+
+"I am just going to do so. Well, you see Capitola, I came down in the
+stage to Tip Top, which I reached about three o'clock. And there I
+found Wool in the hands of the Philistines, suspected of being mad,
+from the manner in which he raved about losing sight of you. Well, of
+course, like a true knight, I delivered my lady's squire, comforted and
+reassured him and made him mount his own horse and take charge of
+yours. After which I mounted the best beast that I had hired to convey
+me to Hurricane Hall, and we all set off thither. I confess that I was
+excessively anxious upon your account, for I could make nothing
+whatever of Wool's wild story of your supposed metamorphosis! I thought
+it best to make a circuit and take the Hidden House in our course, to
+make some inquiries there as to what had really happened. I had got a
+little bewildered between the dark night and the strange road, and,
+seeing the light in the church, I had just ridden up to inquire my way,
+when to my astonishment I saw you within, before the altar, struggling
+in the grasp of that ruffian. And you know the rest! And now let us
+ride on quickly, for I have a strong presentiment that Major Warfield
+is suffering the tortures of a lost soul through anxiety upon your
+account," concluded Herbert Greyson.
+
+"Please, Marse Herbert and Miss Cap, don't you tell ole marse nuffin
+'tall 'bout my loosin' sight of you!" pleaded Wool.
+
+"We shall tell your old master all about it, Wool, for I would not have
+him miss the pleasure of hearing this adventure upon any account; but I
+promise to bear you harmless through it," said Herbert, as they
+galloped rapidly toward home.
+
+They reached Hurricane Hall by eight o'clock, and in good time for
+supper. They found Old Hurricane storming all over the house, and
+ordering everybody off the premises in his fury of anxiety upon
+Capitola's account. But when the party arrived, surprise at seeing them
+in the company of Herbert Greyson quite revolutionized his mood, and,
+forgetting to rage, he gave them all a hearty welcome.
+
+And when after supper was over and they were all gathered around the
+comfortable fireside, and Herbert related the adventures and feats of
+Capitola at the Hidden House, and in the forest chapel, the old man
+grasped the hand of his favorite and with his stormy old eyes full of
+rain said:
+
+"You deserve to have been a man, Cap! Indeed you do, my girl!"
+
+That was his highest style of praise.
+
+Then Herbert told his own little story of getting his commission and
+being ordered to Mexico.
+
+"God bless you, lad, and save you in the battle and bring you home with
+victory!" was Old Hurricane's comment.
+
+Then seeing that the young people were quite worn out with fatigue, and
+feeling not averse to his own comfortable couch, Old Hurricane broke up
+the circle and they all retired to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR AT MARAH'S COTTAGE.
+
+    "Friend wilt thou give me shelter here?
+    The stranger meekly saith
+    My life is hunted! evil men
+    Are following on my path."
+
+
+Marah Rocke sat by her lonely fireside.
+
+The cottage was not changed in any respect since the day upon which we
+first of all found her there. There was the same bright, little wood
+fire; the same clean hearth and the identical faded carpet on the
+floor. There was the dresser with its glistening crockery ware on the
+right, and the shelves with Traverse's old school books on the left of
+the fireplace.
+
+The widow herself had changed in nothing except that her clean black
+dress was threadbare and rusty, and her patient face whiter and thinner
+than before.
+
+And now there was no eager restlessness; no frequent listening and
+looking toward the door. Alas! she could not now expect to hear her
+boy's light and springing step and cheerful voice as he hurried home at
+eventide from his daily work. Traverse was far away at St. Louis
+undergoing the cares and trials of a friendless young physician trying
+to get into practice. Six months had passed since he took leave of her,
+and there was as yet no hope of his returning even to pay a visit.
+
+So Marah sat very still and sad, bending over her needlework without
+ever turning her head in the direction of the door. True, he wrote to
+her every week. No Wednesday ever passed without bringing her a letter
+written in a strong, buoyant and encouraging strain. Still she missed
+Traverse very sadly. It was dreary to rise up in the empty house every
+morning; dreary to sit down to her solitary meals, and drearier still
+to go to bed in her lonely room without having received her boy's kiss
+and heard his cheerful good-night. And it was her custom every night to
+read over Traverse's last letter before retiring to bed.
+
+It was getting on toward ten o'clock when she folded up her work and
+put it away and drew her boy's latest epistle from her bosom to read.
+It ran as follows:
+
+                                          St. Louis, Dec. 1st, 184--.
+
+    My dearest Mother--I am very glad to hear that you continue in good
+    health, and that you do not work too hard, or miss me too sadly. It
+    is the greatest comfort of my life to hear good news of you, sweet
+    mother. I count the days from one letter to another, and read every
+    last letter over daily until I get a new one. You insist upon my
+    telling you how I am getting on, and whether I am out of money. I
+    am doing quite well, ma'am, and have some funds left! I have quite
+    a considerable practice. It is true that my professional services
+    are in request only among the very poor, who pay me with their
+    thanks and good wishes. But I am very glad to be able to pay off a
+    small part of the great debt of gratitude I owe to the benevolent
+    of this world by doing all that I can in my turn for the needy. And
+    even if I had never myself been the object of a good man's
+    benevolence, I should still have desired to serve the indigent;
+    "for whoso giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord," and I "like the
+    security." Therefore, sweet mother of mine, be at ease; for I am
+    getting on swimmingly--with one exception. Still I do not hear from
+    our Clara! Six months have now passed, during which, despite of her
+    seeming silence, I have written to her every week; but not one
+    letter or message have I received from her in return! And now you
+    tell me also that you have not received a single letter from her
+    either! I know not what to think. Anxiety upon her account is my
+    one sole trouble! Not that I wrong the dear girl by one instant's
+    doubt of her constancy--no! my soul upon her truth! if I could do
+    that, I should be most unworthy of her love! No, mother, you and I
+    know that Clara is true! But ah! we do not know to what sufferings
+    she may be subjected by Le Noir, who I firmly believe has
+    intercepted all our letters. Mother, I am about to ask a great,
+    perhaps an unreasonable, favor of you! It is to go down into the
+    neighborhood of the Hidden House and make inquiries and try to find
+    out Clara's real condition. If it be possible, put yourself into
+    communication with her, and tell her that I judge her heart by my
+    own, and have the firmest faith in her constancy, even though I
+    have written to her every week for six months without ever having
+    received an answer. I feel that I am putting you to expense and
+    trouble, but my great anxiety about Clara, which I am sure you
+    share, must be my excuse. I kiss your dear and honored hands, and
+    remain ever your loving son and faithful servant.
+
+                                          TRAVERSE ROCKE.
+
+"I must try to go. It will be an awful expense, because I know no one
+down there, and I shall have to board at the tavern at Tip Top while I
+am making inquiries--for I dare not approach the dwelling of Gabriel Le
+Noir!" said Marah Rocke, as she folded up her letter and replaced it in
+her bosom.
+
+Just at that moment she heard the sound of wheels approach and a
+vehicle of some sort draw up to the gate and some one speaking without.
+
+She went to the door, and, listening, heard a girlish voice say:
+
+"A dollar? Yes, certainly; here it is. There, you may go now."
+
+She recognized the voice, and with a cry of joy jerked the door open
+just as the carriage rolled away. And the next instant Clara Day was in
+her arms.
+
+"Oh, my darling! my darling! my darling! is this really you? Really,
+really you, and no dream?" cried Marah Rocke, all in a flutter of
+excitement, as she strained Clara to her bosom.
+
+"Yes, it is I, sweet friend, come to stay with you a long time,
+perhaps." said Clara, softly, returning her caresses.
+
+"Oh, my lamb! my lamb! what a joyful surprise! I do think I shall go
+crazy! Where did you come from, my pet? Who came with you? When did you
+start? Did Le Noir consent to your coming? And how did it all happen?
+But, dear child, how worn and weary you look! You must be very tired!
+Have you had supper? Oh, my darling, come and lie down on this soft
+lounge while I put away your things and get you some refreshment," said
+Marah Rocke, in a delirium of joy, as she took off Clara's hat and sack
+and laid her down to rest on the lounge, which she wheeled up near the
+fire.
+
+"Oh, my sweet, we have been so anxious about you! Traverse and myself!
+Traverse is still at St. Louis, love, getting on slowly. He has written
+to you every week, and so, indeed have I, but we neither of us have had
+so much as one letter in reply. And yet neither of us ever doubted your
+true heart, my child. We knew that the letters must have been lost,
+miscarried or intercepted," said Marah, as she busied herself putting
+on the tea-kettle.
+
+"They must, indeed, since my experience in regard to letters exactly
+corresponds with yours! I have written every week to both of you, yet
+never received one line in reply from either," said Clara.
+
+"We knew it! We said so! Oh, those Le Noirs! Those Le Noirs! But, my
+darling, you are perfectly exhausted, and though I have asked you a
+half an hundred questions you shall not reply to one of them, nor talk
+a bit more until you have rested and had refreshment. Here, my love;
+here is Traverse's last letter. It will amuse you to lie and read it
+while I am getting tea," said Marah, taking the paper from her bosom
+and handing it to Clara, and then placing the stand with the light near
+the head of her couch that she might see to read it without rising.
+
+And while Clara, well pleased, perused and smiled over her lover's
+letter, Marah Rocke laid the cloth and spread a delicate repast of tea,
+milk toast and poached eggs, of which she tenderly pressed her visitor
+to partake.
+
+And when Clara was somewhat refreshed by food and rest, she said:
+
+"Now, dear mamma, you will wish to hear how it happens that I am with
+you to-night."
+
+"Not unless you feel quite rested, dear girl."
+
+"I am rested sufficiently for the purpose; besides, I am anxious to
+tell you. And oh, dear mamma! I could just now sit in your lap and lay
+my head upon your kind, soft bosom so willingly!"
+
+"Come, then, Clara! Come, then, my darling," said Marah, tenderly,
+holding out her arms.
+
+"No, no, mamma; you are too little; it would be a sin!" said Clara,
+smiling; "but I will sit by you and put my hand in yours and rest my
+head against your shoulder while I tell you all about it."
+
+"Come, then, my darling!" said Marah Rocke.
+
+Clara took the offered seat, and when she was fixed to her liking she
+commenced and related to her friend a full history of all that had
+occurred to her at the Hidden House from the moment that she had first
+crossed its threshold to the hour in which, through the courage and
+address of Capitola, she was delivered from imminent peril.
+
+"And now," said Clara, in conclusion, "I have come hither in order to
+get Doctor Williams to make one more appeal for me to the Orphans'
+Court. And when it is proved what a traitor my guardian has been to his
+trust I have no doubt that the judge will appoint some one else in his
+place, or at least see that my father's last wish in regard to my
+residence is carried into effect."
+
+"Heaven grant it, my child! Heaven grant it! Oh, those Le Noirs! those
+Le Noirs! Were there ever in the world before such ruthless villains
+and accomplished hypocrites?" said Marah Rocke, clasping her hands in
+the strength of her emotions.
+
+A long time yet they talked together, and then they retired to bed, and
+still talked until they fell asleep in each other's arms.
+
+The next morning the widow arose early, gazed a little while with
+delight upon the sleeping daughter of her heart, pressed a kiss upon
+her cheek so softly as not to disturb her rest, and then, leaving her
+still in the deep, sweet sleep of wearied youth, she went down-stairs
+to get a nice breakfast.
+
+Luckily a farmer's cart was just passing the road before the cottage on
+its way to market.
+
+Marah took out her little purse from her pocket, hailed the driver and
+expended half her little store in purchasing two young chickens, some
+eggs and some dried peaches, saying to herself:
+
+"Dear Clara always had a good appetite, and healthy young human nature
+must live substantially in spite of all its little heart-aches."
+
+While Marah was preparing the chicken for the gridiron the door at the
+foot of the stairs opened and Clara came in, looking, after her night's
+rest, as fresh as a rosebud.
+
+"What! up with the sun, my darling?" said Marah, going to meet her.
+
+"Yes, mamma! Oh! it is so good to be here with you in this nice, quiet
+place, with no one to make me shudder! But you must let me help you,
+mamma! See! I will set the table and make the toast!"
+
+"Oh, Miss Clara----"
+
+"Yes, I will! I have been ill used and made miserable, and now you must
+pet me, mamma, and let me have my own way and help you to cook our
+little meals and to make the house tidy and afterward to work those
+buttonholes in the shirts you were spoiling your gentle eyes over last
+night. Oh! if they will only let me stay here with you and be at peace,
+we shall be very happy together, you and I!" said Clara, as she drew
+out the little table and laid the cloth.
+
+"My dear child, may the Lord make you as happy as your sweet affection
+would make me!" said Marah.
+
+"We can work for our living together," continued Clara, as she gaily
+flitted about from the dresser to the table, placing the cups and
+saucers and plates. "You can sew the seams and do the plain hemming,
+and I can work the buttonholes and stitch the bosoms, collars and
+wristbands! And 'if the worst comes to the worst,' we can hang out our
+little shingle before the cottage gate, inscribed with:
+
+           "MRS. ROCKE AND DAUGHTER.
+                  Shirt Makers.
+    Orders executed with neatness and dispatch.
+
+"We'd drive a thriving business, mamma, I assure you," said Clara, as
+she sat down on a low stool at the hearth and began to toast the bread.
+
+"I trust in heaven that it will never come to that with you, my dear!"
+
+"Why? Why, mamma? Why should I not taste of toil and care as well as
+others a thousand times better than myself? Why should not I work as
+well as you and Traverse, mamma? I stand upon the broad platform of
+human rights, and I say I have just as good a right to work as others!"
+said Clara, with a pretty assumption of obstinacy, as she placed the
+plate of toast upon the board.
+
+"Doubtless, dear Clara, you may play at work just as much as you
+please; but heaven forbid you should ever have to work at work!"
+replied Mrs. Rocke as she placed the coffee pot and the dish of broiled
+chicken on the table.
+
+"Why, mamma, I do not think that is a good prayer at all! That is a
+wicked, proud prayer, Mrs. Marah Rocke! Why shouldn't your daughter
+really toil as well as other people's daughters, I'd like to be
+informed?" said Clara, mockingly, as they both took their seats at the
+table.
+
+"I think, dear Clara, that you must have contracted some of your
+eccentric little friend Capitola's ways, from putting on her habit! I
+never before saw you in such gay spirits!" said Mrs. Rocke, as she
+poured out the coffee.
+
+"Oh, mamma; it is but the glad rebound of the freed bird! I am so glad
+to have escaped from that dark prison of the Hidden House and to be
+here with you. But tell me, mamma, is my old home occupied?"
+
+"No, my dear; no tenant has been found for it. The property is in the
+hands of an agent to let, but the house remains quite vacant and
+deserted."
+
+"Why is that?" asked Clara.
+
+"Why, my love, for the strangest reason! The foolish country people say
+that since the doctor's death the place has been haunted!"
+
+"Haunted!"
+
+"Yes, my dear, so the foolish people say, and they get wiser ones to
+believe them."
+
+"What exactly do they say? I hope--I hope they do not trifle with my
+dear father's honored name and memory?"
+
+"Oh, no, my darling! no! but they say that although the house is quite
+empty and deserted by the living strange sights and sounds are heard
+and seen by passers-by at night. Lights appear at the upper windows
+from which pale faces look out."
+
+"How very strange!" said Clara.
+
+"Yes, my dear, and these stories have gained such credence that no one
+can be found to take the house."
+
+"So much the better, dear mamma, for if the new judge of the Orphans'
+Court should give a decision in our favor, as he must, when he hears
+the evidence, old and new, you and I can move right into it and need
+not then enter the shirt-making line of business!"
+
+"Heaven grant it, my dear! But now, Clara, my love, we must lose no
+time in seeing Doctor Williams, lest your guardian should pursue you
+here and give you fresh trouble."
+
+Clara assented to this, and they immediately arose from the table,
+cleared away the service, put the room in order and went up-stairs to
+put on their bonnets, Mrs. Rocke lending Clara her own best bonnet and
+shawl. When they were quite ready they locked up the house and set out
+for the town.
+
+It was a bright, frosty, invigorating winter's morning, and the two
+friends walked rapidly until they reached Doctor Williams' house.
+
+The kind old man was at home, and was much surprised and pleased to see
+his visitors. He invited them into his parlor, and when he had heard
+their story, he said:
+
+"This is a much more serious affair than the other. We must employ
+counsel. Witnesses must be brought from the neighborhood of the Hidden
+House. You are aware that the late judge of the Orphans' Court has been
+appointed to a high office under the government at Washington. The man
+that has taken his place is a person of sound integrity, who will do
+his duty. It remains only for us to prove the justice of our cause to
+his satisfaction, and all will be well."
+
+"Oh, I trust in heaven that it will be," said Marah, fervently.
+
+"You two must stay in my house until the affair is decided. You might
+possibly be safe from real injury; but you could not be free from
+molestation in your unprotected condition at the cottage," said Doctor
+Williams.
+
+Clara warmly expressed her thanks.
+
+"You had better go home now and pack up what you wish to bring, and put
+out the fire and close up the house and come here immediately. In the
+mean time I will see your dear father's solicitor and be ready with my
+report by the time you get back," said Doctor Williams, promptly taking
+his hat to go.
+
+Mrs. Rocke and Clara set out for the cottage, which they soon reached.
+
+Throwing off her bonnet and shawl, Clara said:
+
+"Now, mamma, the very first thing I shall do will be to write to
+Traverse, so that we can send the letter by to-day's mail and set his
+mind at rest. I shall simply tell him that our mutual letters have
+failed to reach their destination, but that I am now on a visit to you,
+and that while I remain here nothing can interrupt our correspondence.
+I shall not speak of the coming suit until we see how it will end."
+
+Mrs. Rocke approved this plan, and placed writing materials on the
+table. And while the matron employed herself in closing up the rooms,
+packing up what was needful to take with them to the doctor's and
+putting out the fire, Clara wrote and sealed her letter. They then put
+on their bonnets, locked up the house, and set out. They called at the
+post-office just in time to mail their letter, and they reached the
+doctor's house just as he himself walked up to the door, accompanied by
+the lawyer. The latter greeted the daughter of his old client and her
+friend, and they all went into the house together.
+
+In the doctor's study the whole subject of Clara's flight and its
+occasion was talked over, and the lawyer agreed to commence proceedings
+immediately.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+CAP "RESTS ON HER LAURELS" AND "SPOILS FOR A FIGHT."
+
+    'Tis hardly in a body's power,
+    To keep at times frae being sour,
+      To see how things are shared;
+    How best o' chiels are whiles in want,
+    While coofs on countless thousands rant,
+      And ken na how to wear 't.
+
+                          --Burns.
+
+
+Leaving Clara Day and Marah Rocke in a home of safety, plenty and
+kindness, in the old doctor's house, we must run down to Hurricane Hall
+to see what mischief Cap has been getting into since we left her! In
+truth, none! Cap had had such a surfeit of adventures that she was fain
+to lie by and rest upon her laurels. Besides, there seemed just now
+nothing to do--no tyrants to take down, no robbers to capture, no
+distressed damsels to deliver, and Cap was again in danger of "spoiling
+for a fight." And then Herbert Greyson was at the Hall--Herbert Greyson
+whom she vowed always did make a Miss Nancy of her! And so Cap had to
+content herself for a week with quiet mornings of needlework at her
+workstand, with Herbert to read to or talk with her; sober afternoon
+rides, attended by Herbert and Old Hurricane; and hum-drum evenings at
+the chess board, with the same Herbert, while Major Warfield dozed in a
+great "sleepy hollow" of an armchair.
+
+One afternoon when they were out riding through the woods beyond the
+Demon's Run, a Sheriff's officer rode up, and bowing to the party,
+presented a suspicious-looking document to Capitola and a similar one
+to Herbert Greyson. And while Old Hurricane stared his eyes half out,
+the parties most interested opened the papers, which they found to be
+rather pressing invitations to be present at a certain solemnity at
+Staunton. In a word, they were subpoenaed to give testimony in the
+case of Williams vs. Le Noir.
+
+"Here's a diabolical dilemma!" said Old Hurricane to himself, as soon
+as he learned the purport of these documents.
+
+"Here I shall have to bring Cap into court face to face with that demon
+to bear witness against him! Suppose losing one ward, he should lay
+claim to another! Ah, but he can't, without foully criminating himself!
+Well, well, we shall see!"
+
+While Old Hurricane was cogitating Cap was exulting.
+
+"Oh, won't I tell all I know! Yes, and more, too!" she exclaimed, in
+triumph.
+
+"'More, too!' Oh, hoity-toity! Never say more, too!" said Herbert
+laughing.
+
+"I will, for I'll tell all I suspect!" said Cap, galloping on ahead, in
+her eagerness to get home and pack up for her journey.
+
+The next day Old Hurricane, Herbert Greyson, Capitola, Pitapat and Wool
+went by stage to Staunton. They put up at the Planters' and Farmers'
+Hotel, whence Herbert Greyson and Capitola soon sallied forth to see
+Clara and Mrs. Rocke. They soon found the doctor's house, and were
+ushered into the parlor in the presence of their friends.
+
+The meeting between Capitola and Clara and between Mrs. Rocke and
+Herbert was very cordial. And then Herbert introduced Capitola to Mrs.
+Rocke and Cap presented Herbert to Clara. And they all entered into
+conversation upon the subject of the coming lawsuit, and the
+circumstances that led to it. And Clara and Capitola related to each
+other all that had happened to each after their exchanging clothes and
+parting. And when they had laughed over their mutual adventures and
+misadventures, Herbert and Capitola took leave and returned to their
+hotel.
+
+Herbert Greyson was the most serious of the whole family. Upon reaching
+the hotel he went to his own room and fell into deep reflection. And
+this was the course of his thought:
+
+"Ira Warfield and Marah Rocke are here in the same town--brought hither
+upon the same errand--to-morrow to meet in the same court-room! And yet
+not either of them suspects the presence of the other! Mrs. Rocke does
+not know that in Capitola's uncle she will behold Major Warfield! He
+does not foresee that in Clara's matronly friend he will behold Marah
+Rocke! And Le Noir, the cause of all their misery, will be present
+also! What will be the effect of this unexpected meeting? Ought I not
+to warn one or the other? Let me think--no! For were I to warn Major
+Warfield he would absent himself. Should I drop a hint to Marah she
+would shrink from the meeting! No, I will leave it all to
+Providence--perhaps the sight of her sweet, pale face and soft,
+appealing eyes, so full of constancy and truth, may touch that stern
+old heart! Heaven grant it may!" concluded Herbert Greyson.
+
+The next day the suit came on.
+
+At an early hour Doctor Williams appeared, having in charge Clara Day,
+who was attended by her friend Mrs. Rocke. They were accommodated with
+seats immediately in front of the judge.
+
+Very soon afterward Major Warfield, Herbert Greyson and Capitola
+entered, and took their places on the witness's bench, at the right
+side of the court-room.
+
+Herbert watched Old Hurricane, whose eyes were spellbound to the bench
+where sat Mrs. Rocke and Clara. Both were dressed in deep mourning,
+with their veils down and their faces toward the judge. But Herbert
+dreaded every instant that Marah Rocke should turn her head and meet
+that fixed, wistful look of Old Hurricane. And he wondered what strange
+instinct it could be that riveted the old man's regards to that
+unrecognized woman.
+
+At last, to Herbert's great uneasiness, Major Warfield turned and
+commenced questioning him:
+
+"Who is that woman in mourning?"
+
+"Hem--m--that one with the flaxen curls under her bonnet is Miss Day."
+
+"I don't mean the girl, I mean the woman sitting by her?"
+
+"That is--hem--hem--that is Doctor Williams sitting----"
+
+Old Hurricane turned abruptly around and favored his nephew with a
+severe, scrutinizing gaze, demanding:
+
+"Herbert, have you been drinking so early in the morning? Demmy, sir,
+this is not the season for mint juleps before breakfast! Is that great,
+stout, round-bodied, red-faced old Doctor Williams a little woman? I
+see him sitting on the right of Miss Day. I didn't refer to him! I
+referred to that still, quiet little woman sitting on her left, who has
+never stirred hand or foot since she sat down there. Who is she?"
+
+"That woman? Oh, she?--yes--ah, let me see--she is a--Miss Day's
+companion!" faltered Herbert.
+
+"To the demon with you! Who does not see that? But who is she? What is
+her name?" abruptly demanded Old Hurricane.
+
+"Her name is a--a--did you ever see her before, sir?"
+
+"I don't know! That is what I am trying to remember; but, sir, will you
+answer my question?"
+
+"You seem very much interested in her."
+
+"You seem very much determined not to let me know who she is! Hang it,
+sir, will you or will you not tell me that woman's name?"
+
+"Certainly," said Herbert. "Her name is----" He was about to say Marah
+Rocke, but moral indignation overpowered him and he paused.
+
+"Well, well, her name is what?" impatiently demanded Old Hurricane.
+
+"Mrs. Warfield!" answered Herbert, doggedly.
+
+And just at that unfortunate moment Marah turned her pale face and
+beseeching eyes around and met the full gaze of her husband!
+
+In an instant her face blanched to marble and her head sank upon the
+railing before her bench. Old Hurricane was too dark to grow pale, but
+his bronzed cheek turned as gray as his hair, which fairly lifted
+itself on his head. Grasping his walking stick with both his hands, he
+tottered to his feet, and, muttering:
+
+"I'll murder you for this, Herbert!" he strode out of the court-room.
+
+Marah's head rested for about a minute on the railing before her and
+when she lifted it again her face was as calm and patient as before.
+
+This little incident had passed without attracting attention from any
+one except Capitola, who, sitting on the other side of Herbert Greyson,
+had heard the little passage of words between him and her uncle, and
+had seen the latter start up and go out, and who now, turning to her
+companion, inquired:
+
+"What is the meaning of all this, Herbert?"
+
+"It means--Satan! And now attend to what is going on! Mr. Sauter has
+stated the case, and now Stringfellow, the attorney for the other side,
+is just telling the judge that he stands there in the place of his
+client, Lieutenant-Colonel Le Noir, who, being ordered to join General
+Taylor in Mexico, is upon the eve of setting out and cannot be here in
+person!"
+
+"And is that true? Won't he be here?"
+
+"It seems not. I think he is ashamed to appear after what has happened,
+and just takes advantage of a fair excuse to absent himself."
+
+"And is he really going to Mexico?"
+
+"Oh, yes! I saw it officially announced in this morning's papers. And,
+by the bye, I am very much afraid he is to take command of our
+regiment, and be my superior officer!"
+
+"Oh, Herbert, I hope and pray not! I think there is wickedness enough
+packed up in that man's body to sink a squadron or lose an army!"
+
+"Well, Cap, such things will happen. Attention! There's Sauter, ready
+to call his witnesses!" And, in truth, the next moment Capitola Black
+was called to the stand.
+
+Cap took her place and gave her evidence con amore, and with such vim
+and such expressions of indignation, that Stringfellow reminded her she
+was there to give testimony, and not to plead the cause.
+
+Cap rejoined that she was perfectly willing to do both! And so she
+continued not only to tell the acts, but to express her opinions as to
+the motives of Le Noir, and give her judgment as to what should be the
+decision of the court.
+
+Stringfellow, the attorney for Colonel Le Noir, evidently thought that
+in this rash, reckless, spirited witness he had a fine subject for
+sarcastic cross-examination! But he reckoned "without his host." He did
+not know Cap! He, too, "caught a Tartar." And before the
+cross-examination was concluded, Capitola's apt and cutting replies had
+overwhelmed him with ridicule and confusion, and done more for the
+cause of her friend than all her partisans put together!
+
+Other witnesses were called to corroborate the testimony of Capitola,
+and still others were examined to prove the last expressed wishes of
+the late William Day, in regard to the disposal of his daughter's
+person during the period of her minority.
+
+There was no effective rebutting evidence, and after some hard arguing
+by the attorneys on both sides, the case was closed, and the judge
+deferred his decision until the third day thereafter.
+
+The parties then left the court and returned to their several lodgings.
+
+Old Hurricane gave no one a civil word that day. Wool was an atrocious
+villain, an incendiary scoundrel, a cut-throat, and a black demon. Cap
+was a beggar, a vagabond and a vixen. Herbert Greyson was another
+beggar, besides being a knave, a fop and an impudent puppy. The
+innkeeper was a swindler, the waiters thieves, the whole world was
+going to ruin, where it well deserved to go, and all mankind to the
+demon--as he hoped and trusted they would!
+
+And all this tornado of passion and invective arose just because he had
+unexpectedly met in the court-room the patient face and beseeching eyes
+of a woman, married and forsaken, loved and lost, long ago!
+
+Was it strange that Herbert, who had so resented his treatment of Marah
+Rocke, should bear all his fury, injustice and abuse of himself and
+others with such compassionate forbearance? But he not only forbore to
+resent his own affronts, but also besought Capitola to have patience
+with the old man's temper and apologized to the host by saying that
+Major Warfield had been very severely tried that day, and when calmer
+would be the first to regret the violence of his own words.
+
+Marah Rocke returned with Clara to the old doctor's house. She was more
+patient, silent and quiet than before. Her face was a little paler, her
+eyes softer, and her tones lower--that was the only visible effect of
+the morning's unexpected rencounter.
+
+The next day but one all the parties concerned assembled at the
+court-house to hear the decision of the judge. It was given, as had
+been anticipated, in favor of Clara Day, who was permitted, in
+accordance with her father's approved wishes, to reside in her
+patrimonial home under the care of Mrs. Rocke. Colonel Le Noir was to
+remain trustee of the property, with directions from the court
+immediately to pay the legacies left by the late Doctor Day to Marah
+Rocke and Traverse Rocke, and also to pay to Clara Day, in quarterly
+instalments, from the revenue of her property, an annual sum of money
+sufficient for her support.
+
+This decision filled the hearts of Clara and her friends with joy.
+Forgetting time, and place, she threw herself into the arms of Marah
+Rocke and wept with delight. All concerned in the trial then sought
+their lodgings.
+
+Clara and Mrs. Rocke returned to the cottage to make preparations for
+removing to Willow Heights.
+
+Doctor Williams went to the agent of the property to require him to
+give up the keys, which he did without hesitation.
+
+Old Hurricane and his party packed up to be ready for the stage to take
+them to Tip-Top the next day.
+
+But that night a series of mysterious events were said to have taken
+place at the deserted house at Willow Heights that filled the whole
+community with superstitious wonder. It was reported by numbers of
+gardeners and farmers, who passed that road, on their way to early
+market, that a perfect witches' sabbath had been held in that empty
+house all night; that lights had appeared, flitting from room to room;
+that strange, weird faces had looked out from the windows; and wild
+screams had pierced the air!
+
+The next day when this report reached the ears of Clara, and she was
+asked by Doctor Williams whether she would not be afraid to live there,
+she laughed gaily and bade him try her.
+
+Cap, who had come over to take leave of Clara, joined her in her
+merriment, declared that she, for her part, doted on ghosts, and that
+after Herbert Greyson's departure she should come and visit Clara and
+help her to entertain the specters.
+
+Clara replied that she should hold her to her promise. And so the
+friends kissed and separated.
+
+That same day saw several removals.
+
+Clara and Mrs. Rocke took up their abode at Willow Heights and seized
+an hour even of that busy time to write to Traverse and apprise him of
+their good fortune.
+
+Old Hurricane and his party set out for their home, where they arrived
+before nightfall.
+
+And the next day but one Herbert Greyson took leave of his friends and
+departed to join his company on their road to glory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+BLACK DONALD.
+
+    Feared, shunned, belied ere youth had lost her force,
+    He hated men too much to feel remorse,
+    And thought the vice of wrath a sacred call,
+    To pay the injuries of some on all.
+
+    There was a laughing devil in his sneer,
+    That caused emotions both of rage and fear:
+    And where his frown of hatred darkly fell,
+    Hope, withering fled and mercy sighed farewell!
+
+                          --Byron.
+
+
+Herbert Greyson had been correct in his conjecture concerning the cause
+of Colonel Le Noir's conduct in absenting himself from the trial, or
+appearing there only in the person of his attorney. A proud, vain,
+conceited man, full of Joseph Surfacisms, he could better have borne to
+be arraigned upon the charge of murder than to face the accusation of
+baseness that was about to be proved upon him. Being reasonably certain
+as to what was likely to be the decision of the Orphans' Court, he was
+not disappointed in hearing that judgment had been rendered in favor of
+his ward and her friends. His one great disappointment had been upon
+discovering the flight of Clara. For when he had ascertained that she
+had fled, he knew that all was lost--and lost through Capitola, the
+hated girl for whose destruction he had now another and a stronger
+motive--revenge!
+
+In this mood of mind three days before his departure to join his
+regiment he sought the retreat of the outlaw. He chose an early hour of
+the evening as that in which he should be most likely to find Black
+Donald.
+
+It was about eight o'clock when he wrapped his large cloak around his
+tall figure, pulled his hat low over his sinister brow and set out to
+walk alone to the secret cavern in the side of the Demon's Punch Bowl.
+
+The night was dark and the path dangerous; but his directions had been
+careful, so that when he reached the brink of that awful abyss he knew
+precisely where to begin his descent with the least danger of being
+precipitated to the bottom.
+
+And by taking a strong hold upon the stunted saplings of pine and cedar
+that grew down through the clefts of the ravine, and placing his feet
+firmly upon the points of projecting rocks, he contrived to descend the
+inside of that horrible abyss, which from the top seemed to be fraught
+with certain death to any one daring enough to make the attempt.
+
+When about half-way down the precipice he reached the clump of cedar
+bushes growing in the deep cleft, and concealing the hole that formed
+the entrance to the cavern.
+
+Here he paused, and, looking through the entrance into a dark and
+apparently fathomless cavern, he gave the peculiar signal whistle,
+which was immediately answered from within by the well-known voice of
+the outlaw chief, saying:
+
+"All right, my colonel! Give us your hand! Be careful, now, the floor
+of this cavern is several feet below the opening."
+
+Le Noir extended his hand into the darkness within and soon felt it
+grasped by that of Black Donald, who, muttering:
+
+"Slowly, slowly, my colonel!" succeeded in guiding him down the utter
+darkness of the subterranean descent until they stood upon the firm
+bottom of the cavern.
+
+They were still in the midst of a blackness that might be felt, except
+that from a small opening in the side of the rock a light gleamed.
+Toward this second opening Black Donald conducted his patron.
+
+And stooping and passing before him, led him into an inner cavern, well
+lighted and rudely fitted up. Upon a large natural platform of rock,
+occupying the center of the space, were some dozen bottles of brandy or
+whisky, several loaves of bread and some dried venison. Around this
+rude table, seated upon fragments of rock, lugged thither for the
+purpose, were some eight or ten men of the band, in various stages of
+intoxication. Along the walls were piles of bearskins, some of which
+served as couches for six or seven men, who had thrown themselves down
+upon them in a state of exhaustion or drunken stupor.
+
+"Come, boys, we have not a boundless choice of apartments here, and I
+want to talk to my colonel! Suppose you take your liquor and bread and
+meat into the outer cavern and give us the use of this one for an
+hour," said the outlaw.
+
+The men sullenly obeyed and began to gather up the viands. Demon Dick
+seized one of the lights to go after them.
+
+"Put down the glim! Satan singe your skin for you! Do you want to bring
+a hue and cry upon us? Don't you know a light in the outer cavern can
+be seen from the outside?" roared Black Donald.
+
+Dick sulkily set down the candle and followed his comrades.
+
+"What are you glummering about, confound you! You can see to eat and
+drink well enough and find your way to your mouth, in the dark, you
+brute!" thundered the captain. But as there was no answer to this and
+the men had retreated and left their chief with his visitor alone,
+Black Donald turned to Colonel Le Noir and said:
+
+"Well, my patron, what great matter is it that has caused you to leave
+the company of fair Clara Day for our grim society?"
+
+"Ah, then, it appears you are not aware that Clara Day has fled from
+us--has made a successful appeal to the Orphans' Court, and been taken
+out of our hands?" angrily replied Colonel Le Noir.
+
+"Whe-ew! My colonel, I think I could have managed that matter better! I
+think if I had had that girl in my power as you had, she should not
+have escaped me!"
+
+"Bah! bah! bah! Stop boasting, since it was through your neglect--yours!
+yours! that I lost this girl!"
+
+"Mine!" exclaimed Black Donald, in astonishment.
+
+"Aye, yours! for if you had done your duty, performed your engagement,
+kept your word, and delivered me from this fatal Capitola, I had not
+lost my ward, nor my son his wealthy bride!" exclaimed Le Noir,
+angrily.
+
+"Capitola! Capitola again! What on earth had she to do with the loss of
+Clara Day?" cried Black Donald, in wonder.
+
+"Everything to do with it, sir! By a cunning artifice she delivered
+Clara from our power--actually set her free and covered her flight
+until she was in security!"
+
+"That girl again! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho ho, ho!" laughed and
+roared Black Donald, slapping his knees.
+
+Le Noir ground and gnashed his teeth in rage, muttering hoarsely:
+
+"Yes, you may laugh, confound you, since it is granted those who win to
+do so! You may laugh; for you have done me out of five thousand
+dollars, and what on earth have you performed to earn it?"
+
+"Come, come, my colonel, fair and easy! I don't know which is
+vulgarest, to betray loss of temper or love of money, and you are doing
+both. However, it is between friends. But how the demon did that girl,
+that capital Capitola, get Clara off from right under your eyes?"
+
+"By changing clothes with her, confound you! I will tell you all about
+it," replied Le Noir, who thereupon commenced and related the whole
+stratagem by which Capitola freed Clara, including the manner in which
+she accompanied them to the church and revealed herself at the altar.
+
+Black Donald threw himself back and roared with laughter, vigorously
+slapping his knees and crying:
+
+"That girl! that capital Capitola! I would not sell my prospect of
+possessing her for double your bribe."
+
+"Your 'prospect!' Your prospect is about as deceptive as a fata
+morgana! What have you been doing, I ask you again, toward realizing
+this prospect and earning the money you have already received?"
+
+"Fair and easy, my colonel! Don't let temper get the better of justice!
+What have I been doing toward earning the money you have already paid
+me? In the first place, I lost time and risked my liberty watching
+around Hurricane Hall. Then, when I had identified the girl and the
+room she slept in by seeing her at the window, I put three of my best
+men in jeopardy to capture her. Then, when she, the witch, had captured
+them, I sacrificed all my good looks, transmogrifying myself into a
+frightful old field preacher, and went to the camp-meeting to watch,
+among other things, for an opportunity of carrying her off. The
+sorceress! she gave me no such opportunity. I succeeded in nothing
+except in fooling the wiseacres and getting admitted to the prison of
+my comrades, whom I furnished with instruments by which they made their
+escape. Since that time we have had to lie low--yes, literally to lie
+low--to keep out of sight, to burrow under ground; in a word, to live
+in this cavern."
+
+"And since which you have abandoned all intention of getting the girl
+and earning the five thousand dollars," sneered Le Noir.
+
+"Earning the remaining five thousand, you mean, colonel. The first five
+thousand I consider I have already earned. It was the last five
+thousand that I was to get when the girl should be disposed of."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Well, I have not given up either the intention of earning the money or
+the hope of getting the girl; in truth, I had rather lose the money
+than the girl. I have been on the watch almost continually; but, though
+I suppose she rides out frequently, I have not yet happened to hit upon
+her in any of her excursions. At last, however, I have fixed upon a
+plan for getting the witch into my power. I shall trust the execution
+of my plan to no one but myself. But I must have time."
+
+"Time! perdition, sir! delay in this matter is fraught with danger!
+Listen, sir! How Warfield got possession of this girl or the knowledge
+of her history I do not know, except that it was through the agency of
+that accursed hag Nancy Grewell. But that he has her and that he knows
+all about her is but too certain. That he has not at present legal
+proof enough to establish her identity and her rights before a court of
+justice I infer from the fact of his continuing inactive in the matter.
+But who can foresee how soon he may obtain all the proof that is
+necessary to establish Capitola's claims and wrest the whole of this
+property from me? Who can tell whether he is not now secretly engaged
+in seeking and collecting such proof? Therefore, I repeat that the girl
+must immediately be got rid of! Donald, rid me of that creature and the
+day that you prove to me her death I will double your fee!"
+
+"Agreed, my colonel, agreed! I have no objection to your doubling, or
+even quadrupling, my fee. You shall find me in that, as in all other
+matters, perfectly amenable to reason. Only I must have time. Haste
+would ruin us. I repeat that I have a plan by which I am certain to get
+the girl into my possession--a plan the execution of which I will
+entrust to no other hands but my own. But I conclude as I began--I must
+have time."
+
+"And how much time?" exclaimed Le Noir, again losing his patience.
+
+"Easy, my patron. That I cannot tell you. It is imprudent to make
+promises, especially to you, who will take nothing into consideration
+when they cannot be kept," replied Black Donald, coolly.
+
+"But, sir, do you not know that I am ordered to Mexico, and must leave
+within three days? I would see the end of this before I go," angrily
+exclaimed Le Noir.
+
+"Softly, softly, my child the colonel! 'Slow and sure!' 'Fair and easy
+goes far in a day!'"
+
+"In a word, will you do this business for me and do it promptly?"
+
+"Surely, surely, my patron! But I insist upon time."
+
+"But I go to Mexico in three days."
+
+"All honor go with you, my colonel. Who would keep his friend from the
+path of glory?"
+
+"Perdition, sir, you trifle with me."
+
+"Perdition, certainly, colonel; there I perfectly agree with you. But
+the rest of your sentence is wrong; I don't trifle with you."
+
+"What in the fiend's name do you mean?"
+
+"Nothing in the name of any absent friend of ours. I mean simply that
+you may go to--Mexico!"
+
+"And--my business----"
+
+"--Can be done just as well, perhaps better, without you. Recollect, if
+you please, my colonel, that when you were absent with Harrison in the
+West your great business was done here without you! And done better for
+that very reason! No one even suspected your agency in that matter. The
+person most benefited by the death of Eugene Le Noir was far enough
+from the scene of his murder."
+
+"Hush! Perdition seize you! Why do you speak of things so long past?"
+exclaimed Le Noir, growing white to his very lips.
+
+"To jog your worship's memory and suggest that your honor is the last
+man who ought to complain of this delay, since it will be very well for
+you to be in a distant land serving your country at the time that your
+brother's heiress, whose property you illegally hold, is got out of
+your way."
+
+"There is something in that," mused Le Noir.
+
+"There is all in that!"
+
+"You have a good brain, Donald."
+
+"What did I tell you? I ought to have been in the cabinet--and mean to
+be, too! But, colonel, as I mean to conclude my part of the engagement,
+I should like, for fear of accidents, that you conclude yours--and
+settle with me before you go."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"That you should fork over to me the remaining five thousand."
+
+"I'll see you at the demon first," passionately exclaimed Le Noir.
+
+"No, you won't, for in that case you'd have to make way with the girl
+yourself, or see Old Hurricane make way with all your fortune."
+
+"Wretch that you are!"
+
+"Come, come, colonel, don't let's quarrel. The Kingdom of Satan divided
+against itself cannot stand. Do not let us lose time by falling out. I
+will get rid of the girl. You, before you go, must hand over the tin,
+lest you should fall in battle and your heirs dispute the debt! Shell
+out, my colonel! Shell out and never fear! Capitola shall be a wife and
+Black Donald a widower before many weeks shall pass."
+
+"I'll do it! I have no time for disputation, as you know, and you
+profit by the knowledge. I'll do it, though under protest," muttered Le
+Noir, grinding his teeth.
+
+"That's my brave and generous patron!" said Black Donald, as he arose
+to attend Le Noir from the cavern; "that's my magnificent colonel of
+cavalry! The man who runs such risks for you should be very handsomely
+remunerated!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+GLORY.
+
+    "What Alexander sighed for,
+      What Cćsar's soul possessed,
+    What heroes, saints have died for,
+                      Glory!"
+
+
+Within three days after his settlement with Black Donald, Colonel Le
+Noir left home to join his regiment, ordered to Mexico.
+
+He was accompanied by his son Craven Le Noir as far as Baltimore, from
+which port the reinforcements were to sail for New Orleans, en route
+for the seat of war.
+
+Here, at the last moment, when the vessel was about to weigh anchor,
+Craven Le Noir took leave of his father and set out for the Hidden
+House.
+
+And here Colonel Le Noir's regiment was joined by the company of new
+recruits in which Herbert Greyson held a commission as lieutenant, and
+thus the young man's worst forebodings were realized in having for a
+traveling companion and superior officer the man of whom he had been
+destined to make a mortal enemy, Colonel Le Noir. However, Herbert soon
+marked out his course of conduct, which was to avoid Le Noir as much as
+was consistent with his own official duty, and, when compelled to meet
+him, to deport himself with the cold ceremony of a subordinate to a
+superior officer.
+
+Le Noir, on his part, treated Herbert with an arrogant scorn amounting
+to insult, and used every opportunity afforded him by his position to
+wound and humiliate the young lieutenant.
+
+After a quick and prosperous voyage they reached New Orleans, where
+they expected to be farther reinforced by a company of volunteers who
+had come down the Mississippi river from St. Louis. These volunteers
+were now being daily drilled at their quarters in the city, and were
+only waiting the arrival of the vessel to be enrolled in the regiment.
+
+One morning, a few days after the ship reached harbor, Herbert Greyson
+went on shore to the military rendezvous to see the new recruits
+exercised. While he stood within the enclosure watching their
+evolutions under the orders of an officer, his attention became
+concentrated upon the form of a young man of the rank and file who was
+marching in a line with many others having their backs turned toward
+him. That form and gait seemed familiar--the circumstances in which he
+saw them again--painfully familiar. And yet he could not identify the
+man. While he gazed, the recruits, at the word of command, suddenly
+wheeled and faced about. And Herbert could scarcely repress an
+exclamation of astonishment and regret.
+
+That young man in the dress of a private soldier was Clara Day's
+betrothed, the widow's only son, Traverse Rocke! While Herbert
+continued to gaze in surprise and grief, the young recruit raised his
+eyes, recognized his friend, flushed up to his very temples and cast
+his eyes down again. The rapid evolutions soon wheeled them around, and
+the next order sent them into their quarters.
+
+Herbert's time was also up, and he returned to his duty.
+
+The next day Herbert went to the quarters of the new recruits and
+sought out his young friend, whom he found loitering about the grounds.
+Again Traverse blushed deeply as the young lieutenant approached. But
+Herbert Greyson, letting none of his regret appear, since now it would
+be worse than useless in only serving to give pain to the young
+private, went up to him cordially and shook his hands, saying:
+
+"Going to serve your country, eh, Traverse? Well, I am heartily glad to
+see you, at any rate."
+
+"But heartily sorry to see me here, enlisted as a private in a company
+of raw recruits, looking not unlike Falstaff's ragged regiment?"
+
+"Nay; I did not say that, Traverse. Many a private in the ranks has
+risen to be a general officer," replied Herbert, encouragingly.
+
+Traverse laughed good humoredly, saying:
+
+"It does not look much like that in my case. This dress," he said,
+looking down at his coarse, ill-fitting uniform, cowhide shoes, etc.;
+"this dress, this drilling, these close quarters, coarse food and mixed
+company are enough to take the military ardor out of any one!"
+
+"Traverse, you talk like a petit maître, which is not at all your
+character. Effeminacy is not your vice."
+
+"Nor any other species of weakness, do you mean? Ah, Herbert, your
+aspiring hopeful, confident old friend is considerably taken down in
+his ideas of himself, his success and life in general! I went to the
+West with high hopes. Six months of struggling against indifference,
+neglect and accumulated debts lowered them down! I carried out letters
+and made friends, but their friendship began and ended in wishing me
+well. While trying to get into profitable practice I got into debt.
+Meanwhile I could not hear from my betrothed in all those months. An
+occasional letter from her might have prevented this step. But troubles
+gathered around me, debts increased and----"
+
+"--Creditors were cruel. It is the old story; my poor boy!"
+
+"No; my only creditors were my landlady and my laundress, two poor
+widows who never willingly distressed me, but who occasionally asked
+for 'that little amount' so piteously that my heart bled to lack it to
+give them. And as victuals and clean shirts were absolute necessaries
+of life, every week my debts increased. I could have faced a prosperous
+male creditor, and might, perhaps, have been provoked to bully such an
+one, had he been inclined to be cruel; but I could not face poor women
+who, after all, I believe, are generally the best friends a struggling
+young man can have; and so, not to bore a smart young lieutenant with a
+poor private's antecedents----"
+
+"Oh, Traverse----"
+
+"--I will even make an end of my story. 'At last there came a weary day
+when hope and faith beneath the weight gave way.' And, hearing that a
+company of volunteers was being raised to go to Mexico, I enlisted,
+sold my citizen's wardrobe and my little medical library, paid my
+debts, made my two friends, the poor widows, some acceptable presents,
+sent the small remnant of the money to my mother, telling her that I
+was going farther south to try my fortune, and--here I am."
+
+"You did not tell her that you had enlisted?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Oh, Traverse, how long ago was it that you left St. Louis?"
+
+"Just two weeks."
+
+"Ah! if you had only had patience for a few days longer!" burst unaware
+from Herbert's bosom. In an instant he was sorry for having spoken
+thus, for Traverse, with all his soul in his eyes, asked eagerly:
+
+"Why--why, Herbert? What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, you should know that I did not come direct from West Point, but
+from the neighborhood of Staunton and Hurricane Hall."
+
+"Did you? Oh, did you? Then you may be able to give me news of Clara
+and my dear mother," exclaimed Traverse, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, I am--pleasant news," said Herbert, hesitating in a manner which
+no one ever hesitated before in communicating good tidings.
+
+"Thank heaven! oh, thank heaven! What is it, Herbert? How is my dear
+mother getting on? Where is my best Clara?"
+
+"They are both living together at Willow Heights, according to the
+wishes of the late Doctor Day. A second appeal to the Orphans' Court
+made in behalf of Clara by her next friend, Doctor Williams, about a
+month ago, proved more successful. And if you had waited a few days
+longer before enlisting and leaving St. Louis, you would have received
+a letter from Clara to the same effect, and one from Doctor Williams
+apprizing you that your mother had received her legacy, and that the
+thousand dollars left you by Doctor Day had been paid into the
+Agricultural Bank, subject to your orders."
+
+"Oh, heaven! had I but waited three days longer!" exclaimed Traverse,
+in such acute distress that Herbert hastened to console him by saying:
+
+"Do not repine, Traverse; these things go by fate. It was your
+destiny--let us hope it will prove a glorious one."
+
+"It was my impatience!" exclaimed Traverse. "It was my impatience!
+Doctor Day always faithfully warned me against it; always told me that
+most of the errors, sins and miseries of this world arose from simple
+impatience, which is want of faith. And now I know it! and now I know
+it! What had I, who had an honorable profession, to do with becoming a
+private soldier?"
+
+"Well, well, it is honorable at least to serve your country," said
+Herbert, soothingly.
+
+"If a foreign foe invaded her shores, yes; but what had I to do with
+invading another's country?--enlisting for a war of the rights and
+wrongs of which I know no more than anybody else does? Growing
+impatient because fortune did not at once empty her cornucopia upon my
+head! Oh, fool!"
+
+"You blame yourself too severely, Traverse. Your act was natural enough
+and justifiable enough, much as it is to be regretted," said Herbert,
+cheerfully.
+
+"Come, come, sit on this plank bench beside me--if you are not ashamed
+to be seen with a private who is also a donkey--and tell me all about
+it. Show me the full measure of the happiness I have so recklessly
+squandered away," exclaimed Traverse, desperately.
+
+"I will sit beside you and tell you everything you wish to know, on
+condition that you stop berating yourself in a manner that fills me
+with indignation," replied Herbert, as they went to a distant part of
+the dusty enclosure and took their seats upon a rude bench.
+
+"Oh, Herbert, bear with me; I could dash my wild, impatient head
+against a stone wall!"
+
+"That would not be likely to clear or strengthen your brains," said
+Herbert, who thereupon commenced and told Traverse the whole history of
+the persecution of Clara Day at the Hidden House; the interception of
+her letters; the attempt made to force her into a marriage with Craven
+Le Noir; her deliverance from her enemies by the address and courage of
+Capitola; her flight to Staunton and refuge with Mrs. Rocke; her appeal
+to the court, and finally her success and her settlement under the
+charge of her matronly friend at Willow Heights.
+
+Traverse had not listened patiently to this account. He heard it with
+many bursts of irrepressible indignation and many involuntary starts of
+wild passion. Toward the last he sprang up and walked up and down,
+chafing like an angry lion in his cage.
+
+"And this man," he exclaimed, as Herbert concluded; "this demon! this
+beast! is now our commanding officer--the colonel of our regiment."
+
+"Yes," replied Herbert, "but as such you must not call him names;
+military rules are despotic; and this man, who knows your person and
+knows you to be the betrothed of Clara Day, whose hand and fortune he
+covets for his son, will leave no power with which his command invests
+him untried to ruin and destroy you! Traverse, I say these things to
+you that being 'forewarned' you maybe 'forearmed.' I trust that you
+will remember your mother and your betrothed, and for their dear sakes
+practise every sort of self-control, patience and forbearance under the
+provocations you may receive from our colonel. And in advising you to
+do this I only counsel that which I shall myself practise. I, too, am
+under the ban of Le Noir for the part I played in the church in
+succoring Capitola, as well as for happening to be 'the nephew of my
+uncle,' Major Warfield, who is his mortal enemy."
+
+"I? Will I not be patient, after the lesson I have just learned upon
+the evils of the opposite? Be easy on my account, dear old friend, I
+will be as patient as Job, meek as Moses and long-suffering as--my own
+sweet mother!" said Traverse, earnestly.
+
+The drum was now heard beating to quarters, and Traverse, wringing his
+friend's hand, left him.
+
+Herbert returned to his ship full of one scheme, of which he had not
+spoken to Traverse lest it should prove unsuccessful. This scheme was
+to procure his free discharge before they should set sail for the Rio
+Grande. He had many influential friends among the officers of his
+regiment, and he was resolved to tell them as much as was delicate,
+proper and useful for them to know of the young recruit's private
+history, in order to get their cooperation.
+
+Herbert spent every hour of this day and the next, when off duty, in
+this service of his friend. He found his brother officers easily
+interested, sympathetic and propitious. They united their efforts with
+his own to procure the discharge of the young recruit, but in vain; the
+power of Colonel Le Noir was opposed to their influence and the
+application was peremptorily refused.
+
+Herbert Greyson did not sit down quietly under this disappointment, but
+wrote an application embodying all the facts of the case to the
+Secretary of War, got it signed by all the officers of the regiment and
+despatched it by the first mail.
+
+Simultaneously he took another important step for the interest of his
+friend. Without hinting any particular motive, he had begged Traverse
+to let him have his photograph taken, and the latter, with a laugh at
+the lover-like proposal, had consented. When the likeness was finished
+Herbert sent it by express to Major Warfield, accompanied by a letter
+describing the excellent character and unfortunate condition of
+Traverse, praying the major's interest in his behalf and concluding by
+saying:
+
+"You cannot look upon the accompanying photograph of my friend and any
+longer disclaim your own express image in your son."
+
+How this affected the action of Old Hurricane will be seen hereafter.
+
+Traverse, knowing nothing of the efforts that had been and were still
+being made for his discharge, suffered neither disappointment for
+failure of the first nor anxiety for the issue of the last.
+
+He wrote to his mother and Clara, congratulating them on their good
+fortune; telling them that he, in common with many young men of St.
+Louis, had volunteered for the Mexican War; that he was then in New
+Orleans, en route for the Rio Grande, and that they would be pleased to
+know that their mutual friend, Herbert Greyson, was an officer in the
+same regiment of which he himself was at present a private, but with
+strong hopes of soon winning his epaulettes. He endorsed an order for
+his mother to draw the thousand dollars left him by Doctor Day, and he
+advised her to re-deposit the sum in her own name for her own use in
+case of need. Praying God's blessing upon them all, and begging their
+prayers for himself, Traverse concluded his letter, which he mailed the
+same evening.
+
+And the next morning the company was ordered on board and the whole
+expedition set sail for the Rio Grande.
+
+Now, we might just as easily as not accompany our troops to Mexico and
+relate the feats of arms there performed with the minuteness and
+fidelity of an eye-witness, since we have sat at dinner-tables where
+the heroes of that war have been honored guests, and where we have
+heard them fight their battles o'er till "thrice the foe was slain and
+thrice the field was won."
+
+We might follow the rising star of our young lieutenant, as by his own
+merits and others' mishaps he ascended from rank to rank, through all
+the grades of military promotion, but need not because the feats of
+Lieutenant--Captain--Major and Colonel Greyson, are they not written in
+the chronicles of the Mexican War?
+
+We prefer to look after our little domestic heroine, our brave little
+Cap, who, when women have their rights, shall be a lieutenant-colonel
+herself. Shall she not, gentlemen?
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+In one fortnight from this time, while Mrs. Rocke and Clara were still
+living comfortably at Willow Heights and waiting anxiously to hear from
+Traverse, whom they still supposed to be practising his profession at
+St. Louis, they received his last letter written on the eve of his
+departure for the seat of war. At first the news overwhelmed them with
+grief, but then they sought relief in faith, answered his letter
+cheerfully and commended him to the infinite mercy of God.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CAP CAPTIVATES A CRAVEN.
+
+    "He knew himself a villain, but he deemed
+    The rest no better than the thing he seemed;
+    And scorned the best as hypocrites who hid
+    Those deeds the bolder spirits plainly did.
+    He knew himself detested, but he knew
+    The hearts that loathed him crouched and--dreaded, too."
+
+
+The unregenerate human heart is, perhaps, the most inconsistent thing
+in all nature; and in nothing is it more capricious than in the
+manifestations of its passions; and in no passion is it so fantastic as
+in that which it miscalls love, but which is really often only
+appetite.
+
+From the earliest days of manhood Craven Le Noir had been the votary of
+vice, which he called pleasure. Before reaching the age of twenty-five
+he had run the full course of dissipation, and found himself ruined in
+health, degraded in character and disgusted with life.
+
+Yet in all this experience his heart had not been once agitated with a
+single emotion that deserved the name of passion. It was colder than
+the coldest.
+
+He had not loved Clara, though, for the sake of her money, he had
+courted her so assiduously. Indeed, for the doctor's orphan girl he had
+from the first conceived a strong antipathy. His evil spirit had shrunk
+from her pure soul with the loathing a fiend might feel for an angel.
+He had found it repugnant and difficult, almost to the extent of
+impossibility, for him to pursue the courtship to which he was only
+reconciled by a sense of duty to--his pocket.
+
+It was reserved for his meeting with Capitola at the altar of the
+Forest Chapel to fire his clammy heart, stagnant blood and sated senses
+with the very first passion that he had ever known. Her image, as she
+stood there at the altar with flashing eyes and flaming cheeks and
+scathing tongue defying him, was ever before his mind's eye. There was
+something about that girl so spirited, so piquant and original that she
+impressed even his apathetic nature as no other woman had ever been
+able to do. But what most of all attracted him to Capitola was her
+diablerie. He longed to catch that little savage to his bosom and have
+her at his mercy. The aversion she had exhibited toward him only
+stimulated his passion.
+
+Craven Le Noir, among his other graces, was gifted with inordinate
+vanity. He did not in the least degree despair of over-coming all
+Capitola's dislike to his person and inspiring her with a passion equal
+to his own.
+
+He knew well that he dared not present himself at Hurricane Hall, but
+he resolved to waylay her in her rides and there to press his suit. To
+this he was urged by another motive almost as strong as love--namely,
+avarice.
+
+He had gathered thus much from his father, that Capitola Black was
+supposed to be Capitola Le Noir, the rightful heiress of all that vast
+property in land, houses, iron and coal mines, foundries and furnaces,
+railway shares, etc., and bank stocks, from which his father drew the
+princely revenue that supported them both in their lavish extravagance
+of living.
+
+As the heiress--or, rather, the rightful owner--of all this vast
+fortune, Capitola was a much greater "catch" than poor Clara, with her
+modest estate, had been. And Mr. Craven Le Noir was quite willing to
+turn the tables on his father by running off with the great heiress,
+and step from his irksome position of dependent upon Colonel Le Noir's
+often ungracious bounty to that of the husband of the heiress and the
+master of the property. Added to that was another favorable
+circumstance--namely, whereas he had had a strong personal antipathy to
+Clara he had as strong an attraction to Capitola, which would make his
+course of courtship all the pleasanter.
+
+In one word, he resolved to woo, win and elope with, or forcibly
+abduct, Capitola Le Noir, marry her and then turn upon his father and
+claim the fortune in right of his wife. The absence of Colonel Le Noir
+in Mexico favored his projects, as he could not fear interruption.
+
+Meanwhile our little madcap remained quite unconscious of the honors
+designed her. She had cried every day of the first week of Herbert's
+absence; every alternate day of the second; twice in the third; once in
+the fourth; not at all in the fifth, and the sixth week she was quite
+herself again, as full of fun and frolic and as ready for any mischief
+or deviltry that might turn up.
+
+She resumed her rides, no longer followed by Wool, because Old
+Hurricane, partly upon account of his misadventure in having had the
+misfortune inadvertently "to lose sight of" his mistress upon that
+memorable occasion of the metamorphosis of Cap into Clara and partly
+because of the distant absence of Le Noir, did not consider his
+favorite in danger.
+
+He little knew that a subtle and unscrupulous agent had been left sworn
+to her destruction, and that another individual, almost equally
+dangerous, had registered a secret vow to run off with her.
+
+Neither did poor Cap when, rejoicing to be free from the dogging
+attendance of Wool, imagine the perils to which she was exposed; nor is
+it even likely that if she had she would have cared for them in any
+other manner than as promising piquant adventures. From childhood she
+had been inured to danger, and had never suffered harm; therefore, Cap,
+like the Chevalier Bayard, was "without fear and without reproach."
+
+Craven Le Noir proceeded cautiously with his plans, knowing that there
+was time enough and that all might be lost by haste. He did not wish to
+alarm Capitola.
+
+The first time he took occasion to meet her in her rides he merely
+bowed deeply, even to the flaps of his saddle and, with a melancholy
+smile, passed on.
+
+"Miserable wretch! He is a mean fellow to want to marry a girl against
+her will, no matter how much he might have been in love with her, and I
+am very glad I balked him. Still, he looks so ill and unhappy that I
+can't help pitying him," said Cap, looking compassionately at his white
+cheeks and languishing eyes, and little knowing that the illness was
+the effect of dissipation and that the melancholy was assumed for the
+occasion.
+
+A few days after this Cap again met Craven Le Noir, who again, with a
+deep bow and sad smile, passed her.
+
+"Poor fellow! he richly deserves to suffer, and I hope it may make him
+better, for I am right-down sorry for him; it must be so dreadful to
+lose one we love; but it was too base in him to let his father try to
+compel her to have him. Suppose, now, Herbert Greyson was to take a
+fancy to another girl, would I let uncle go to him and put a pistol to
+his head and say, 'Cap is fond of you, you varlet! and demmy, sir, you
+shall marry none but her, or receive an ounce of lead in your stupid
+brains'? No, I'd scorn it; I'd forward the other wedding; I'd make the
+cake and dress the bride and--then maybe I'd break--no, I'm blamed if I
+would! I'd not break my heart for anybody. Set them up with it, indeed!
+Neither would my dear, darling, sweet, precious Herbert treat me so,
+and I'm a wretch to think of it!" said Cap, with a rich, inimitable
+unction as, rejoicing in her own happy love, she cheered Gyp and rode
+on.
+
+Now, Craven Le Noir had been conscious of the relenting and
+compassionate looks of Capitola, but he did not know that they were
+only the pitying regards of a noble and victorious nature over a
+vanquished and suffering wrong-doer. However, he still determined to be
+cautious, and not ruin his prospects by precipitate action, but to
+"hasten slowly."
+
+So the next time he met Capitola he raised his eyes with one deep, sad,
+appealing gaze to hers, and then, bowing profoundly, passed on.
+
+"Poor man," said Cap to herself, "he bears no malice toward me for
+depriving him of his sweetheart; that's certain. And, badly as he
+behaved, I suppose it was all for love, for I don't know how any one
+could live in the same house with Clara and not be in love with her. I
+should have been so myself if I'd been a man, I know!"
+
+The next time Cap met Craven and saw again that deep, sorrowful,
+appealing gaze as he bowed and passed her, she glanced after him,
+saying to herself:
+
+"Poor soul, I wonder what he means by looking at me in that piteous
+manner? I can do nothing to relieve him. I'm sure if I could I would.
+But 'the way of the transgressor is hard,' Mr. Le Noir, and he who sins
+must suffer."
+
+For about three weeks their seemingly accidental meetings continued in
+this silent manner, so slowly did Craven make his advances. Then,
+feeling more confidence, he made a considerably long step forward.
+
+One day, when he guessed that Capitola would be out, instead of meeting
+her as heretofore, he put himself in her road and, riding slowly toward
+a five-barred gate, allowed her to overtake him.
+
+He opened the gate and, bowing, held it open until she had passed.
+
+She bowed her thanks and rode on; but presently, without the least
+appearance of intruding, since she had overtaken him, he was at her
+side and, speaking with downcast eyes and deferential manner, he said:
+
+"I have long desired an opportunity to express the deep sorrow and
+mortification I feel for having been hurried into rudeness toward an
+estimable young lady at the Forest Chapel. Miss Black, will you permit
+me now to assure you of my profound repentance of that act and to
+implore your pardon?"
+
+"Oh, I have nothing against you, Mr. Le Noir. It was not I whom you
+were intending to marry against my will; and as for what you said and
+did to me, ha! ha! I had provoked it, you know, and I also afterwards
+paid it in kind. It was a fair fight, in which I was the victor, and
+victors should never be vindictive," said Cap, laughing, for, though
+knowing him to have been violent and unjust, she did not suspect him of
+being treacherous and deceitful, or imagine the base designs concealed
+beneath his plausible manner. Her brave, honest nature could understand
+a brute or a despot, but not a traitor.
+
+"Then, like frank enemies who have fought their fight out, yet bear no
+malice toward each other, we may shake hands and be friends, I hope,"
+said Craven, replying in the same spirit in which she had spoken.
+
+"Well, I don't know about that, Mr. Le Noir. Friendship is a very
+sacred thing, and its name should not be lightly taken on our tongues.
+I hope you will excuse me if I decline your proffer," said Cap, who had
+a well of deep, true, earnest feeling beneath her effervescent surface.
+
+"What! you will not even grant a repentant man your friendship, Miss
+Black?" asked Craven, with a sorrowful smile.
+
+"I wish you well, Mr. Le Noir. I wish you a good and, therefore, a
+happy life; but I cannot give you friendship, for that means a great
+deal."
+
+"Oh, I see how it is! You cannot give your friendship where you cannot
+give your esteem. Is it not so?"
+
+"Yes," said Capitola; "that is it; yet I wish you so well that I wish
+you might grow worthy of higher esteem than mine."
+
+"You are thinking of my--yes, I will not shrink from characterizing
+that conduct as it deserves--my unpardonable violence toward Clara.
+Miss Black, I have mourned that sin from the day that I was hurried
+into it until this. I have bewailed it from the very bottom of my
+heart," said Craven, earnestly, fixing his eyes with an expression of
+perfect truthfulness upon those of Capitola.
+
+"I am glad to hear you say so," said Cap.
+
+"Miss Black, please hear this in palliation--I would not presume to say
+in defense--of my conduct: I was driven to frenzy by a passion of
+contending love and jealousy as violent and maddening as it was unreal
+and transient. But that delusive passion has subsided, and among the
+unmerited mercies for which I have to be thankful is that, in my
+frantic pursuit of Clara Day, I was not cursed with success! For all
+the violence into which that frenzy hurried me I have deeply repented.
+I can never forgive myself, but--cannot you forgive me?"
+
+"Mr. Le Noir, I have nothing for which to forgive you. I am glad that
+you have repented toward Clara and I wish you well, and that is really
+all that I can say."
+
+"I have deserved this and I accept it," said Craven, in a tone so
+mournful that Capitola, in spite of all her instincts, could not choose
+but pity him.
+
+He rode on, with his pale face, downcast eyes and melancholy
+expression, until they reached a point at the back of Hurricane Hall,
+where their paths diverged.
+
+Here Craven, lifting his hat and bowing profoundly, said, in a sad
+tone:
+
+"Good evening, Miss Black," and, turning his horse's head, took the
+path leading down into the Hidden Hollow.
+
+"Poor young fellow! he must be very unhappy down in that miserable
+place; but I can't help it. I wish he would go to Mexico with the
+rest," said Cap, as she pursued her way homeward.
+
+Not to excite her suspicion, Craven Le Noir avoided meeting Capitola
+for a few days, and then threw himself in her road and, as before,
+allowed her to overtake him.
+
+Very subtly he entered into conversation with her, and, guarding every
+word and look, took care to interest without alarming her. He said no
+more of friendship, but a great deal of regret for wasted years and
+wasted talents in the past and good resolutions for the future.
+
+And Cap listened good humoredly. Capitola, being of a brave, hard, firm
+nature, had not the sensitive perceptions, fine intuitions and true
+insight into character that distinguished the more refined nature of
+Clara Day--or, at least, she had not these delicate faculties in the
+same perfection. Thus, her undefined suspicions of Craven's sincerity
+were overborne by a sort of noble benevolence which determined her to
+think the best of him which circumstances would permit.
+
+Craven, on his part, having had more experience, was much wiser in the
+pursuit of his object. He also had the advantage of being in earnest.
+His passion for Capitola was sincere, and not, as it had been in the
+case of Clara, simulated. He believed, therefore, that, when the time
+should be ripe for the declaration of his love, he would have a much
+better prospect of success, especially as Capitola, in her ignorance of
+her own great fortune, must consider his proposal the very climax of
+disinterestedness.
+
+After three more weeks of riding and conversing with Capitola he had,
+in his own estimation, advanced so far in her good opinion as to make
+it perfectly safe to risk a declaration. And this he determined to do
+upon the very first opportunity.
+
+Chance favored him.
+
+One afternoon Capitola, riding through the pleasant woods skirting the
+back of the mountain range that sheltered Hurricane Hall, got a fall,
+for which she was afterwards inclined to cuff Wool.
+
+It happened in this way: She had come to a steep rise in the road and
+urged her pony into a hard gallop, intending as she said to herself, to
+"storm the height," when suddenly, under the violent strain, the girth,
+ill-fastened, flew apart and Miss Cap was on the ground, buried under
+the fallen saddle.
+
+With many a blessing upon the carelessness of grooms, Cap picked
+herself up, put the saddle on the horse, and was engaged in drawing
+under the girth when Craven Le Noir rode up, sprang from his horse and,
+with anxiety depicted on his countenance, ran to the spot inquiring:
+
+"What is the matter? No serious accident, I hope and trust, Miss
+Black?"
+
+"No; those wretches in uncle's stables did not half buckle the girth,
+and, as I was going in a hard gallop up the steep, it flew apart and
+gave me a tumble; that's all," said Cap, desisting a moment from her
+occupation to take breath.
+
+"You were not hurt?" inquired Craven, with deep interest in his tone.
+
+"Oh, no; there is no harm done, except to my riding skirt, which has
+been torn and muddied by the fall," said Cap, laughing and resuming her
+efforts to tighten the girth.
+
+"Pray permit me," said Craven, gently taking the end of the strap from
+her hand; "this is no work for a lady, and, besides, is beyond your
+strength."
+
+Capitola, thanking him, withdrew to the side of the road, and, seating
+herself upon the trunk of a fallen tree, began to brush the dirt from
+her habit.
+
+Craven adjusted and secured the saddle with great care, patted and
+soothed the pony and then, approaching Capitola in the most deferential
+manner, stood before her and said:
+
+"Miss Black, you will pardon me, I hope, if I tell you that the peril
+I had imagined you to be in has so agitated my mind as to make it
+impossible for me longer to withhold a declaration of my sentiments----"
+Here his voice, that had trembled throughout this disclosure, now
+really and utterly failed him.
+
+Capitola looked up with surprise and interest; she had never in her
+life before heard an explicit declaration of love from anybody. She and
+Herbert somehow had always understood each other very well, without
+ever a word of technical love-making passing between them; so Capitola
+did not exactly know what was coming next.
+
+Craven recovered his voice, and encouraged by the favorable manner in
+which she appeared to listen to him, actually threw himself at her feet
+and, seizing one of her hands, with much ardor and earnestness and much
+more eloquence than any one would have credited him with, poured forth
+the history of his passion and his hopes.
+
+"Well, I declare!" said Cap, when he had finished his speech and was
+waiting in breathless impatience for her answer; "this is what is
+called a declaration of love and a proposal of marriage, is it? It is
+downright sentimental, I suppose, if I had only sense enough to
+appreciate it! It is as good as a play; pity it is lost upon me!"
+
+"Cruel girl! how you mock me!" cried Craven, rising from his knees and
+sitting beside her.
+
+"No, I don't; I'm in solemn earnest. I say it is first rate. Do it
+again; I like it!"
+
+"Sarcastic and merciless one, you glory in the pain you give! But if
+you wish again to hear me say I love you, I will say it a dozen--yes, a
+hundred--times over if you will only admit that you could love me a
+little in return."
+
+"Don't; that would be tiresome; two or three times is quite enough.
+Besides, what earthly good could my saying 'I love you' do?"
+
+"It might persuade you to become the wife of one who will adore you to
+the last hour of his life."
+
+"Meaning you?"
+
+"Meaning me; the most devoted of your admirers."
+
+"That isn't saying much, since I haven't got any but you."
+
+"Thank fortune for it! Then I am to understand, charming Capitola, that
+at least your hand and your affections are free," cried Craven,
+joyfully.
+
+"Well, now, I don't know about that! Really, I can't positively say;
+but it strikes me, if I were to get married to anybody else, there's
+somebody would feel queerish!"
+
+"No doubt there are many whose secret hopes would be blasted, for so
+charming a girl could not have passed through this world without having
+won many hearts who would keenly feel the loss of hope in her marriage.
+But what if they do, my enchanting Capitola? You are not responsible
+for any one having formed such hopes."
+
+"Fudge!" said Cap, "I'm no belle; never was; never can be; have neither
+wealth, beauty nor coquetry enough to make me one. I have no lovers nor
+admirers to break their hearts about me, one way or another; but there
+is one honest fellow--hem! never mind; I feel as if I belonged to
+somebody else; that's all. I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Le Noir,
+for your preference, and even for the beautiful way in which you have
+expressed it, but--I belong to somebody else."
+
+"Miss Black," said Craven, somewhat abashed but not discouraged. "I
+think I understand you. I presume that you refer to the young man who
+was your gallant champion in the Forest Chapel."
+
+"The one that made your nose bleed," said the incorrigible Cap.
+
+"Well, Miss Black, from your words it appears that this is by no means
+an acknowledged but only an understood engagement, which cannot be
+binding upon either party. Now, a young lady of your acknowledged good
+sense----"
+
+"I never had any more good sense than I have had admirers," interrupted
+Cap.
+
+Craven smiled.
+
+"I would not hear your enemy say that," he replied; then, resuming his
+argument, he said:
+
+"You will readily understand, Miss Black, that the vague engagement of
+which you speak, where there is want of fortune on both sides, is no
+more prudent than it is binding. On the contrary, the position which it
+is my pride to offer you is considered an enviable one; even apart from
+the devoted love that goes with it. You are aware that I am the sole
+heir of the Hidden House estate, which, with all its dependencies, is
+considered the largest property, as my wife would be the most important
+lady, in the county."
+
+Cap's lip curled a little; looking askance at him she answered:
+
+"I am really very much obliged to you Mr. Le Noir, for the
+distinguished honor that you designed for me. I should highly
+appreciate the magnanimity of a young gentleman, the heir of the
+wealthiest estate in the neighborhood who deigns to propose marriage to
+the little beggar that I acknowledge myself to be. I regret to be
+obliged to refuse such dignities, but--I belong to another," said
+Capitola, rising and advancing toward her horse.
+
+Craven would not risk his success by pushing his suit further at this
+sitting.
+
+Very respectfully lending his assistance to put Capitola into her
+saddle, he said he hoped at some future and more propitious time to
+resume the subject. And then, with a deep bow, he left her, mounted his
+horse and rode on his way.
+
+He did not believe that Capitola was more than half in earnest, or that
+any girl in Capitola's circumstances would do such a mad thing as to
+refuse the position he offered her.
+
+He did not throw himself in her way often enough to excite her
+suspicion that their meetings were preconcerted on his part, and even
+when he did overtake her or suffer her to overtake him, he avoided
+giving her offense by pressing his suit until another good opportunity
+should offer. This was not long in coming.
+
+One afternoon he overtook her and rode by her side for a short distance
+when, finding her in unusually good spirits and temper, he again
+renewed his declaration of love and offer of marriage.
+
+Cap turned around in her saddle and looked at him with astonishment for
+a full minute before she exclaimed:
+
+"Why, Mr. Le Noir, I gave you an answer more than a week ago. Didn't I
+tell you 'No'? What on earth do you mean by repeating the question?"
+
+"I mean, bewitching Capitola, not to let such a treasure slip out of my
+grasp if I can help it."
+
+"I never was in your grasp, that I know of," said Cap, whipping up her
+horse and leaving him far behind.
+
+Days passed before Craven thought it prudent again to renew and press
+his suit. He did so upon a fine September morning, when he overtook her
+riding along the banks of the river. He joined her and in the most
+deprecating manner besought her to listen to him once more. Then he
+commenced in a strain of the most impassioned eloquence and urged his
+love and his proposal.
+
+Capitola stopped her horse, wheeled around and faced him, looking him
+full in the eyes while she said:
+
+"Upon my word, Mr. Le Noir, you remind me of an anecdote told of young
+Sheridan. When his father advised him to take a wife and settle, he
+replied by asking whose wife he should take. Will nobody serve your
+purpose but somebody else's sweetheart? I have told you that I belong
+to a brave young soldier who is fighting his country's battles in a
+foreign land, while you are lazing here at home, trying to undermine
+him. I am ashamed of you, sir, and ashamed of myself for talking with
+you so many times! Never do you presume to accost me on the highway or
+anywhere else again! Craven by name and Craven by nature, you have once
+already felt the weight of Herbert's arm! Do not provoke its second
+descent upon you! You are warned!" and with that Capitola, with her
+lips curled, her eyes flashing and her cheeks burning, put whip to her
+pony and galloped away.
+
+Craven Le Noir's thin, white face grew perfectly livid with passion.
+
+"I will have her yet! I have sworn it, and by fair means or by foul I
+will have her yet!" he exclaimed, as he relaxed his hold upon his
+bridle and let his horse go on slowly, while he sat with his brows
+gathered over his thin nose, his long chin buried in his neckcloth and
+his nails between his teeth, gnawing like a wild beast, as was his
+custom when deeply cogitating.
+
+Presently he conceived a plan so diabolical that none but Satan himself
+could have inspired it! This was to take advantage of his acquaintance
+and casual meetings with Capitola so to malign her character as to make
+it unlikely that any honest man would risk his honor by taking her to
+wife; that thus the way might be left clear for himself; and he
+resolved, if possible, to effect this in such a manner--namely, by
+jests, innuendos and sneers--that it should never be directly traced to
+a positive assertion on his part. And in the mean time he determined to
+so govern himself in his deportment toward Capitola as to arouse no
+suspicion, give no offense and, if possible, win back her confidence.
+
+It is true that even Craven Le Noir, base as he was, shrank from the
+idea of smirching the reputation of the woman whom he wished to make a
+wife; but then he said to himself that in that remote neighborhood the
+scandal would be of little consequence to him, who, as soon as he
+should be married, would claim the estate of the Hidden House in right
+of his wife, put it in charge of an overseer and then, with his bride,
+start for Paris, the paradise of the epicurean, where he designed to
+fix their principal residence.
+
+Craven Le Noir was so pleased with his plan that he immediately set
+about putting it in execution. Our next chapter will show how he
+succeeded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+CAP'S RAGE.
+
+    Is he not approved to the height of a villain, who hath slandered,
+    scorned, dishonored thy kinswoman. Oh! that I were a man for his
+    sake, or had a friend who would be one for mine!
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Autumn brought the usual city visitors to Hurricane Hall to spend the
+sporting season and shoot over Major Warfield's grounds. Old Hurricane
+was in his glory, giving dinners and projecting hunts.
+
+Capitola also enjoyed herself rarely, enacting with much satisfaction
+to herself and guests her new rôle of hostess, and not unfrequently
+joining her uncle and his friends in their field sports.
+
+Among the guests there were two who deserve particular attention, not
+only because they had been for many years annual visitors of Hurricane
+Hall, but more especially because there had grown up between them and
+our little madcap heroine a strong mutual confidence and friendship.
+Yet no three persons could possibly be more unlike than Capitola and
+the two cousins of her soul, as she called these two friends. They were
+both distant relatives of Major Warfield, and in right of this
+relationship invariably addressed Capitola as "Cousin Cap."
+
+John Stone, the elder of the two, was a very tall, stout, squarely
+built young man, with a broad, good-humored face, fair skin, blue eyes
+and light hair. In temperament he was rather phlegmatic, quiet and
+lazy. In character he was honest, prudent and good-tempered. In
+circumstances he was a safe banker, with a notable wife and two healthy
+children. The one thing that was able to excite his quiet nerves was
+the chase, of which he was as fond as he could possibly be of any
+amusement. The one person who agreeably stirred his rather still
+spirits was our little Cap, and that was the secret of his friendship
+for her.
+
+Edwin Percy, the other, was a young West Indian, tall and delicately
+formed, with a clear olive complexion, languishing dark hazel eyes and
+dark, bright chestnut hair and beard. In temperament he was ardent as
+his clime. In character, indolent, careless and self-indulgent. In
+condition he was the bachelor heir of a sugar plantation of a thousand
+acres. He loved not the chase, nor any other amusement requiring
+exertion. He doted upon swansdown sofas with springs, French plays,
+cigars and chocolate. He came to the country to find repose, good air
+and an appetite. He was the victim of constitutional ennui that yielded
+to nothing but the exhilaration of Capitola's company; that was the
+mystery of his love for her, and doubtless the young Creole would have
+proposed for Cap, had he not thought it too much trouble to get
+married, and dreaded the bustle of a bridal. Certainly Edwin Percy was
+as opposite in character to John Stone, as they both were to Capitola,
+yet great was the relative attraction among the three. Cap impartially
+divided her kind offices as hostess between them.
+
+John Stone joined Old Hurricane in many a hard day's hunt, and Capitola
+was often of the party.
+
+Edwin Percy spent many hours on the luxurious lounge in the parlor,
+where Cap was careful to place a stand with chocolate, cigars, wax
+matches and his favorite books.
+
+One day Cap had had what she called "a row with the governor," that is
+to say, a slight misunderstanding with Major Warfield; a very uncommon
+occurrence, as the reader knows, in which that temperate old gentleman
+had so freely bestowed upon his niece the names of "beggar, foundling,
+brat, vagabond and vagrant," that Capitola, in just indignation,
+refused to join the birding party, and taking her game bag, powder
+flask, shot-horn and fowling piece, and calling her favorite pointer,
+walked off, as she termed it, "to shoot herself." But if Capitola's by
+no means sweet temper had been tried that morning, it was destined to
+be still more severely tested before the day was over.
+
+Her second provocation came in this way: John Stone, another deserter
+of the birding party had that day betaken himself to Tip-top upon some
+private business of his own. He dined at the Antlers in company with
+some sporting gentlemen of the neighborhood, and when the conversation
+naturally turned upon field sports, Mr. John Stone spoke of the fine
+shooting that was to be had around Hurricane Hall, when one of the
+gentlemen, looking straight across the table to Mr. Stone, said:
+
+"Ahem! That pretty little huntress of Hurricane Hall--that niece or
+ward, or mysterious daughter of Old Hurricane, who engages with so much
+enthusiasm in your field sports over there, is a girl of very free and
+easy manners I understand--a Diana in nothing but her love of the
+chase!"
+
+"Sir, it is a base calumny! And the man who endorses it is a shameless
+slanderer! There is my card! I may be found at my present residence,
+Hurricane Hall," said John Stone, throwing his pasteboard across the
+table, and rising to leave it.
+
+"Nay, nay," said the stranger, laughing and pushing the card away. "I
+do not endorse the statement--I know nothing about it! I wash my hands
+of it," said the young man. And then upon Mr. Stone's demanding the
+author of the calumny, he gave the name of Mr. Craven Le Noir, who, he
+said, had "talked in his cups," at a dinner party recently given by one
+of his friends.
+
+"I pronounce--publicly, in the presence of all these witnesses, as I
+shall presently to Craven Le Noir himself--that he is a shameless
+miscreant, who has basely slandered a noble girl! You, sir, have
+declined to endorse those words; henceforth decline to repeat them! For
+after this I shall call to a severe account any man who ventures, by
+word, gesture or glance to hint this slander, or in any other way deal
+lightly with the honorable name and fame of the lady in question.
+Gentlemen, I am to be found at Hurricane Hall, and I have the honor of
+wishing you a more improving subject of conversation, and--a very good
+afternoon," said John Stone, bowing and leaving the room.
+
+He immediately called for his horse and rode home.
+
+In crossing the thicket of woods between the river and the rising
+ground in front of Hurricane Hall, he overtook Capitola, who, as we
+have said, had been out alone with her gun and dog, and was now
+returning home with her game bag well laden.
+
+Now, as John Stone looked at Capitola, with her reckless, free and
+joyous air, he thought she was just the sort of girl, unconsciously, to
+get herself and friends into trouble. And he thought it best to give
+her a hint to put an abrupt period to her acquaintance, if she had even
+the slightest, with the heir apparent of the Hidden House.
+
+While still hesitating how to begin the conversation, he came up with
+the young girl, dismounted, and, leading his horse, walked by her side,
+asking carelessly:
+
+"What have you bagged, Cap?"
+
+"Some partridges! Oh, you should have been out with me and Sweetlips!
+We've had such sport! But, anyhow, you shall enjoy your share of the
+spoils! Come home and you shall have some of these partridges broiled
+for supper, with currant sauce--a dish of my own invention for uncle's
+sake, you know! He's such a gourmand!"
+
+"Thank you, yes--I am on my way home now. Hem--m! Capitola, I counsel
+you to cut the acquaintance of our neighbor, Craven Le Noir."
+
+"I have already done so; but--what in the world is the matter that you
+should advise me thus?" inquired Capitola, fixing her eyes steadily
+upon the face of John Stone, who avoided her gaze as he answered:
+
+"The man is not a proper associate for a young woman."
+
+"I know that, and have cut him accordingly; but, Cousin John, there is
+some reason for your words, that you have not expressed; and as they
+concern me, now I insist upon knowing what they are!"
+
+"Tut! it is nothing!" said the other evasively.
+
+"John Stone, I know better! And the more you look down and whip your
+boot the surer I am that there is something I ought to know, and I will
+know!"
+
+"Well, you termagant! Have your way! He has been speaking lightly of
+you--that's all! Nobody minds him--his tongue is no scandal."
+
+"John Stone--what has he said?" asked Capitola, drawing her breath
+hardly between her closed teeth.
+
+"Oh, now, why should you ask? It is nothing--it is not proper that I
+should tell you," replied that gentleman, in embarrassment.
+
+"'It is nothing,' and yet 'it is not proper that you should tell me!'
+How do you make that out? John Stone, leave off lashing the harmless
+bushes and listen to me! I have to live in the same neighborhood with
+this man, after you have gone away, and I insist upon knowing the whole
+length and breadth of his baseness and malignity, that I may know how
+to judge and punish him!" said Capitola, with such grimness of
+resolution that Mr. Stone, provoked at her perversity, answered:
+
+"Well, you wilful girl, listen!" And commencing, he mercilessly told
+her all that had passed at the table.
+
+To have seen our Cap then! Face, neck and bosom were flushed with the
+crimson tide of indignation!
+
+"You are sure of what you tell me, Cousin John?"
+
+"The man vouches for it!"
+
+"He shall bite the dust!"
+
+"What?"
+
+"The slanderer shall bite the dust!"
+
+Without more ado, down was thrown gun, game bag, powder flask and
+shot-horn, and, bounding from point to point over all the intervening
+space, Capitola rushed into Hurricane Hall, and without an instant's
+delay ran straight into the parlor, where her epicurean friend, the
+young Creole, lay slumbering upon the lounge.
+
+With her face now livid with concentrated rage, and her eyes glittering
+with that suppressed light peculiar to intense passion, she stood
+before him and said:
+
+"Edwin! Craven Le Noir has defamed your cousin! Get up and challenge
+him!"
+
+"What did you say, Cap?" said Mr. Percy, slightly yawning.
+
+"Must I repeat it? Craven Le Noir has defamed my character--challenge
+him!"
+
+"That would be against the law, coz; they would indict me sure!"
+
+"You--you--you lie there and answer me in that way! Oh that I were a
+man!"
+
+"Compose yourself, sweet coz, and tell me what all this is about!
+Yaw-ooo!--really I was asleep when you first spoke to me!"
+
+"Asleep! Had you been dead and in your grave, the words that I spoke
+should have roused you like the trump of the archangel!" exclaimed
+Capitola, with the blood rushing back to her cheeks.
+
+"Your entrance was sufficiently startling, coz, but tell me over
+again--what was the occasion?"
+
+"That caitiff, Craven Le Noir, has slandered me! Oh, the villain! He is
+a base slanderer! Percy, get up this moment and challenge Le Noir! I
+cannot breathe freely until it is done!" exclaimed Capitola,
+impetuously.
+
+"Cousin Cap, duelling is obsolete; scenes are passč; law settles
+everything; and here there is scarcely ground for action for libel. But
+be comforted, coz, for if this comes to Uncle Hurricane's ears, he'll
+make mince-meat of him in no time. It is all in his line; he'll chaw
+him right up!"
+
+"Percy, do you mean to say that you will not call out that man?" asked
+Capitola, drawing her breath hardly.
+
+"Yes, coz."
+
+"You won't fight him?"
+
+"No, coz."
+
+"You won't?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Edwin Percy, look me straight in the face!" said Cap, between her
+closed teeth.
+
+"Well, I am looking you straight in the face--straight in the two
+blazing gray eyes, you little tempest in a teapot--what then?"
+
+"Do I look as though I should be in earnest in what I am about to
+speak?"
+
+"I should judge so."
+
+"Then listen, and don't take your eyes off mine until I am done
+speaking!"
+
+"Very well, don't be long, though, for it rather agitates me."
+
+"I will not! Hear me, then! You say that you decline to challenge Le
+Noir. Very good! I, on my part, here renounce all acquaintance with
+you! I will never sit down at the same table--enter the same room, or
+breathe the same air with you--never speak to you--listen to you, or
+recognize you in any manner, until my deep wrongs are avenged in the
+punishment of my slanderer, so help me----"
+
+"Hush-sh! don't swear, Cap--it's profane and unwomanly; and nothing on
+earth but broken oaths would be the result!"
+
+But Cap was off! In an instant she was down in the yard, where her
+groom was holding her horse, ready in case she wished to take her usual
+ride.
+
+"Where is Mr. John Stone?" she asked.
+
+"Down at the kennels, miss," answered the boy.
+
+She jumped into her saddle, put whip to her horse and flew over the
+ground between the mansion house and the kennels.
+
+She pulled up before the door of the main building, sprang from her
+saddle, threw the bridle to a man in attendance, and rushed into the
+house and into the presence of Mr. John Stone, who was busy in
+prescribing for an indisposed pointer.
+
+He looked up in astonishment, exclaiming:
+
+"Hilloe! All the witches! Here's Cap! Why, where on earth did you shoot
+from? What's up now? You look as if you were in a state of spontaneous
+combustion and couldn't stand it another minute."
+
+"And I can't--and I won't! John Stone, you must call that man out!"
+
+"What man, Cap--what the deuce do you mean?"
+
+"You know well enough--you do this to provoke me! I mean the man of
+whom you cautioned me this afternoon--the wretch who slandered me--the
+niece of your host!"
+
+"Whe--ew!"
+
+"Will you do it?"
+
+"Where's Percy?"
+
+"On the lounge with an ice in one hand and a novel in the other! I
+suppose it is no use mincing the matter, John--he is a--mere
+epicure--there is no fight in him! It is you who must vindicate your
+cousin's honor!"
+
+"My cousin's honor cannot need vindication! It is unquestioned and
+unquestionable!"
+
+"No smooth words, if you please, cousin John! Will you, or will you not
+fight that man?"
+
+"Tut, Cap, no one really questions your honor--that man will get
+himself knocked into a cocked hat if he goes around talking of an
+honest girl!"
+
+"A likely thing, when her own cousins and guests take it so quietly."
+
+"What would you have them do, Cap? The longer an affair of this sort is
+agitated, the more offensive it becomes! Besides, chivalry is out of
+date! The knights-errant are all dead."
+
+"The men are all dead! If any ever really lived!" cried Cap, in a fury.
+"Heaven knows I am inclined to believe them to have been a fabulous
+race like that of the mastodon or the centaur! I certainly never saw a
+creature that deserved the name of man! The very first of your race was
+the meanest fellow that ever was heard of--ate the stolen apple and
+when found out laid one half of the blame on his wife and the other
+on his Maker--'The woman whom thou gavest me' did so and so--pah! I
+don't wonder the Lord took a dislike to the race and sent a flood to
+sweep them all off the face of the earth! I will give you one more
+chance to retrieve your honor--in one word, now--will you fight that
+man?"
+
+"My dear little cousin, I would do anything in reason to vindicate the
+assailed manhood of my whole sex, but really, now----"
+
+"Will you fight that man? One word--yes, or no?"
+
+"Tut, Cap! you are a very reckless young woman! You--it's your
+nature--you are an incorrigible madcap! You bewitch a poor wretch until
+he doesn't know his head from his heels--puts his feet into his hat and
+covers his scalp with his boots! You are a will-o'-the-wisp who lures a
+poor fellow on through woods, bogs and briars, until you land him in
+the quicksands! You whirl him around and around until he grows dizzy
+and delirious, and talks at random, and then you'd have him called out,
+you blood-thirsty little vixen! I tell you, Cousin Cap, if I were to
+take up all the quarrels your hoydenism might lead me into, I should
+have nothing else to do!"
+
+"Then you won't fight!"
+
+"Can't, little cousin! I have a wife and family, which are powerful
+checks upon a man's duelling impulses!"
+
+"Silence! You are no cousin of mine--no drop of your sluggish blood
+stagnates in my veins--no spark of the liquid fire of my life's current
+burns in your torpid arteries, else at this insult would it set you in
+a flame! Never dare to call me cousin again." And so saying, she flung
+herself out of the building and into her saddle, put whip to her horse
+and galloped away home.
+
+Now, Mr. Stone had privately resolved to thrash Craven Le Noir; but he
+did not deem it expedient to take Cap into his confidence. As Capitola
+reached the horse-block, her own groom came to take the bridle.
+
+"Jem," she said, as she jumped from her saddle, "put Gyp up and then
+come to my room, I have a message to send by you."
+
+And then, with burning cheeks and flashing eyes, she went to her own
+sanctum, and after taking off her habit, did the most astounding thing
+that ever a woman of the nineteenth or any former century attempted--she
+wrote a challenge to Craven Le Noir--charging him with falsehood in
+having maligned her honor--demanding from him "the satisfaction of a
+gentleman," and requesting him as the challenged party to name the
+time, place and weapons with which he would meet her.
+
+By the time she had written, sealed and directed this war-like
+defiance, her young groom made his appearance.
+
+"Jem," she asked, "do you know the way to the Hidden House?"
+
+"Yes, miss, sure."
+
+"Then take this note thither, ask for Mr. Le Noir, put it into his
+hands, and say that you are directed to wait an answer. And listen! You
+need not mention to any one in this house where you are going--nor when
+you return, where you have been; but bring the answer you may get
+directly to this room, where you will find me."
+
+"Yes, miss," said the boy, who was off like a flying Mercury.
+
+Capitola threw herself into her chair to spend the slow hours until the
+boy's return as well as her fierce impatience and forced inaction would
+permit.
+
+At tea time she was summoned; but excused herself from going below upon
+the plea of indisposition.
+
+"Which is perfectly true," she said to herself, "since I am utterly
+indisposed to go. And besides, I have sworn never again to sit at the
+same table with my cousins, until for the wrongs done me I have
+received ample satisfaction."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+CAPITOLA CAPS THE CLIMAX.
+
+    Oh! when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd;
+    She was a vixen when she went to school;
+    And though she is but little she is fierce.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+It was quite late in the evening when Jem, her messenger, returned.
+
+"Have you an answer?" she impetuously demanded, rising to meet him as
+he entered.
+
+"Yes, miss, here it is," replied the boy, handing a neatly folded,
+highly perfumed little note.
+
+"Go," said Cap, curtly, as she received it.
+
+And when the boy had bowed and withdrawn, she threw herself into a
+chair, and with little respect for the pretty device of the pierced
+heart with which the note was sealed, she tore it open and devoured its
+contents.
+
+Why did Capitola's cheeks and lips blanch white as death? Why did her
+eyes contract and glitter like stilettoes? Why was her breath drawn
+hard and laboriously through clenched teeth and livid lips?
+
+That note was couched in the most insulting terms.
+
+Capitola's first impulse was to rend the paper to atoms and grind those
+atoms to powder beneath her heel. But a second inspiration changed her
+purpose.
+
+"No--no--no! I will not destroy you, precious little note! No legal
+document involving the ownership of the largest estate, no cherished
+love letter filled with vows of undying affection, shall be more
+carefully guarded! Next to my heart shall you lie. My shield and
+buckler shall you be! My sure defense and justification! I know what to
+do with you, my precious little jewel! You are the warrant for the
+punishment of that man, signed by his own hand." And so saying Capitola
+carefully deposited the note in her bosom.
+
+Then she lighted her chamber lamp, and, taking it with her, went
+down-stairs to her uncle's bedroom.
+
+Taking advantage of the time when she knew he would be absorbed in a
+game of chess with John Stone, and she should be safe from interruption
+for several hours if she wished, she went to Major Warfield's little
+armory in the closet adjoining his room, opened his pistol case and
+took from it a pair of revolvers, closed and locked the case, and
+withdrew and hid the key that they might not chance to be missed until
+she should have time to replace them.
+
+Then she hurried back into her own chamber, locked the pistols up in
+her own drawer, and, wearied out with so much excitement, prepared to
+go to rest. Here a grave and unexpected obstacle met her; she had
+always been accustomed to kneel and offer up to heaven her evening's
+tribute of praise and thanksgiving for the mercies of the day, and
+prayers for protection and blessing through the night.
+
+Now she knelt as usual, but thanksgiving and prayer seemed frozen on
+her lips! How could she praise or pray with such a purpose as she had
+in her heart?
+
+For the first time Capitola doubted the perfect righteousness of that
+purpose which was of a character to arrest her prayers upon her lips.
+
+With a start of impatience and a heavy sigh, she sprang up and hurried
+into bed.
+
+She did not sleep, but lay tossing from side to side in feverish
+excitement the whole night--having, in fact, a terrible battle between
+her own fierce passions and her newly awakened conscience.
+
+Nevertheless, she arose by daybreak in the morning, dressed herself,
+went and unlocked her drawer, took out the pistols, carefully loaded
+them, and laid them down for service.
+
+Then she went down-stairs, where the servants were only just beginning
+to stir, and sent for her groom, Jem, whom she ordered to saddle her
+pony, and also to get a horse for himself, to attend her in a morning
+ride.
+
+After which she returned up-stairs, put on her riding habit, and
+buckled around her waist a morocco belt, into which she stuck the two
+revolvers. She then threw around her shoulders a short circular cape
+that concealed the weapons, and put on her hat and gloves and went
+below.
+
+She found her little groom already at the door with the horses. She
+sprang into her saddle, and, bidding Jem follow her, took the road
+toward Tip-Top.
+
+She knew that Mr. Le Noir was in the habit of riding to the village
+every morning, and she determined to meet him. She knew, from the early
+hour of the day, that he could not possibly be ahead of her, and she
+rode on slowly to give him an opportunity to overtake her.
+
+Probably Craven Le Noir was later that morning than usual, for Capitola
+had reached the entrance of the village before she heard the sound of
+his horse's feet approaching behind her.
+
+She did not wish that their encounter should be in the streets of the
+village, so she instantly wheeled her horse and galloped back to meet
+him.
+
+As both were riding at full speed, they soon met.
+
+She first drew rein, and, standing in his way, accosted him with:
+
+"Mr. Le Noir!"
+
+"Your most obedient, Miss Black!" he said, with a deep bow.
+
+"I happen to be without father or brother to protect me from affront,
+sir, and my uncle is an invalid veteran whom I will not trouble! I am,
+therefore, under the novel necessity of fighting my own battles!
+Yesterday, sir, I sent you a note demanding satisfaction for a heinous
+slander you circulated against me! You replied by an insulting note.
+You do not escape punishment so! Here are two pistols; both are loaded;
+take either one of them; for, sir, we have met, and now we do not part
+until one of us falls from the horse!"
+
+And so saying, she rode up to him and offered him the choice of the
+pistols.
+
+He laughed--partly in surprise and partly in admiration, as he said,
+with seeming good humor:
+
+"Miss Black, you are a very charming young woman, and delightfully
+original and piquant in all your ideas; but you outrage all the laws
+that govern the duello. You know that, as the challenged party, I have
+the right to the choice of time, place and arms. I made that choice
+yesterday. I renew it to-day. When you accede to the terms of the
+meeting I shall endeavor to give you all the satisfaction you demand!
+Good-morning, miss."
+
+And with a deep bow, even to the flaps of his saddle, he rode past her.
+
+"That base insult again!" cried Capitola, with the blood rushing to her
+face.
+
+Then lifting her voice, she again accosted him:
+
+"Mr. Le Noir!"
+
+He turned, with a smile.
+
+She threw one of the pistols on the ground near him, saying:
+
+"Take that up and defend yourself."
+
+He waved his hand in negation, bowed, smiled, and rode on.
+
+"Mr. Le Noir!" she called, in a peremptory tone.
+
+Once more he turned.
+
+She raised her pistol, took deliberate aim at his white forehead, and
+fired--
+
+Bang! bang! bang! bang! bang! bang!
+
+Six times without an instant's intermission, until her revolver was
+spent.
+
+When the smoke cleared away, a terrible vision met her eyes!
+
+It was Craven Le Noir with his face covered with blood, reeling in his
+saddle, from which he soon dropped to the ground.
+
+In falling his foot remained in the hanging stirrup. The well-trained
+cavalry horse stood perfectly still, though trembling in a panic of
+terror, from which he might at any moment start to run, dragging the
+helpless body after him.
+
+Capitola saw this danger, and not being cruel, she tempered justice
+with mercy, threw down her spent pistol, dismounted from her horse,
+went up to the fallen man, disengaged his foot from the stirrup, and,
+taking hold of his shoulders, tried with all her might to drag the
+still breathing form from the dusty road where it lay in danger of
+being run over by wagons, to the green bank, where it might lie in
+comparative safety.
+
+But that heavy form was too much for her single strength. And, calling
+her terrified groom to assist her, they removed the body.
+
+Capitola then remounted her horse and galloped rapidly into the
+village, and up to the "ladies' entrance" of the hotel, where, after
+sending for the proprietor she said:
+
+"I have just been shooting Craven Le Noir for slandering me; he lies by
+the roadside at the entrance of the village; you had better send
+somebody to pick him up."
+
+"Miss!" cried the astonished inn-keeper.
+
+Capitola distinctly repeated her words and then, leaving the
+inn-keeper, transfixed with consternation, she crossed the street and
+entered a magistrate's office, where a little, old gentleman, with a
+pair of green spectacles resting on his hooked nose, sat at a
+writing-table, giving some directions to a constable, who was standing
+hat in hand before him.
+
+Capitola waited until this functionary had his orders and a written
+paper, and had left the office, and the magistrate was alone, before
+she walked up to the desk and stood before him.
+
+"Well, well, young woman! Well, well, what do you want?" inquired the
+old gentleman, impatiently looking up from folding his papers.
+
+"I have come to give myself up for shooting Craven Le Noir, who
+slandered me," answered Capitola, quietly.
+
+The old man let fall his hands full of papers, raised his head and
+stared at her over the tops of his green spectacles.
+
+"What did you say, young woman?" he asked, in the tone of one who
+doubted his own ears.
+
+"I say that I have forestalled an arrest by coming here to give myself
+up for the shooting of a dastard who slandered, insulted and refused to
+give me satisfaction," answered Capitola, very distinctly.
+
+"Am I awake? Do I hear aright? Do you mean to say that you have killed
+a man?" asked the dismayed magistrate.
+
+"Oh, I can't say as to the killing! I shot him off his horse and then
+sent Mr. Merry and his men to pick him up, while I came here to answer
+for myself!"
+
+"Unfortunate girl! And how can you answer for such a dreadful deed?"
+exclaimed the utterly confounded magistrate.
+
+"Oh, as to the dreadfulness of the deed, that depends on
+circumstances," said Cap, "and I can answer for it very well! He made
+addresses to me. I refused him. He slandered me. I challenged him. He
+insulted me. I shot him!"
+
+"Miserable young woman, if this be proved true, I shall have to commit
+you!"
+
+"Just as you please," said Cap, "but bless your soul, that won't help
+Craven Le Noir a single bit!"
+
+As she spoke several persons entered the office in a state of high
+excitement--all talking at once, saying:
+
+"That is the girl!"
+
+"Yes, that is her!"
+
+"She is Miss Black, old Warfield's niece."
+
+"Yes, he said she was," etc., etc., etc.
+
+"What is all this, neighbors, what is all this?" inquired the troubled
+magistrate, rising in his place.
+
+"Why, sir, there's been a gentleman, Mr. Craven Le Noir, shot. He has
+been taken to the Antlers, where he lies in articulus mortis, and we
+wish him to be confronted with Miss Capitola Black, the young woman
+here present, that he may identify her, whom he accuses of having shot
+six charges into him, before his death. She needn't deny it, because he
+is ready to swear to her!" said Mr. Merry, who constituted himself
+spokesman.
+
+"She accuses herself," said the magistrate, in dismay.
+
+"Then, sir, had she not better be taken at once to the presence of Mr.
+Le Noir, who may not have many minutes to live?"
+
+"Yes, come along," said Cap. "I only gave myself up to wait for this;
+and as he is already at hand, let's go and have it all over, for I have
+been riding about in this frosty morning air for three hours, and I
+have got a good appetite, and I want to go home to breakfast."
+
+"I am afraid, young woman, you will scarcely get home to breakfast this
+morning," said Mr. Merry.
+
+"We'll see that presently," answered Cap, composedly, as they all left
+the office, and crossed the street to the Antlers.
+
+They were conducted by the landlord to a chamber on the first floor,
+where upon a bed lay stretched, almost without breath or motion, the
+form of Craven Le Noir. His face was still covered with blood, that the
+bystanders had scrupulously refused to wash off until the arrival of
+the magistrate. His complexion, as far as it could be seen, was very
+pale. He was thoroughly prostrated, if not actually dying.
+
+Around his bed were gathered the village doctor, the landlady and
+several maid-servants.
+
+"The squire has come, sir; are you able to speak to him?" asked the
+landlord, approaching the bed.
+
+"Yes, let him swear me," feebly replied the wounded man, "and then send
+for a clergyman."
+
+The landlady immediately left to send for Mr. Goodwin, and the
+magistrate approached the head of the bed, and, speaking solemnly,
+exhorted the wounded man, as he expected soon to give an account of the
+works done in his body, to speak the truth, the whole truth, and
+nothing but the truth, without reserve, malice or exaggeration, both as
+to the deed and its provocation.
+
+"I will I will--for I have sent for a minister and I intend to try to
+make my peace with heaven," replied Le Noir.
+
+The magistrate then directed Capitola to come and take her stand at the
+foot of the bed, where the wounded man, who was lying on his back,
+could see her without turning.
+
+Cap came as she was commanded and stood there with some irrepressible
+and incomprehensible mischief gleaming out from under her long
+eye-lashes and from the corners of her dimpled lips.
+
+The magistrate then administered the oath to Craven Le Noir, and bade
+him look upon Capitola and give his evidence.
+
+He did so, and under the terrors of a guilty conscience and of expected
+death, his evidence partook more of the nature of a confession than an
+accusation. He testified that he had addressed Capitola, and had been
+rejected by her; then, under the influence of evil motives, he had
+circulated insinuations against her honor, which were utterly
+unjustifiable by fact; she, seeming to have heard of them, took the
+strange course of challenging him--just as if she had been a man. He
+could not, of course, meet a lady in a duel, but he had taken advantage
+of the technical phraseology of the challenged party, as to time, place
+and weapons, to offer her a deep insult; then she had waylaid him on
+the highway, offered him his choice of a pair of revolvers, and told
+him that, having met, they should not part until one or the other fell
+from the horse; he had again laughingly refused the encounter except
+upon the insulting terms he had before proposed. She had then thrown
+him one of the pistols, bidding him defend himself. He had laughingly
+passed her when she called him by name, he had turned and she
+fired--six times in succession, and he fell. He knew no more until he
+was brought to his present room. He said in conclusion he did not wish
+that the girl should be prosecuted, as she had only avenged her own
+honor; and that he hoped his death would be taken by her and her
+friends as a sufficient expiation of his offenses against her; and,
+lastly, he requested that he might be left alone with the minister.
+
+"Bring that unhappy young woman over to my office, Ketchum," said the
+magistrate, addressing himself to a constable. Then turning to the
+landlord, he said:
+
+"Sir, it would be a charity in you to put a messenger on horseback and
+send him to Hurricane Hall for Major Warfield, who will have to enter
+into a recognizance for Miss Black's appearance at court.
+
+"Stop," said Cap, "don't be too certain of that! 'Be always sure you're
+right--then go ahead!' Is not any one here cool enough to reflect that
+if I had fired six bullets at that man's forehead and every one had
+struck, I should have blown his head to the sky? Will not somebody at
+once wash his face and see how deep the wounds are?"
+
+The doctor who had been restrained by others now took a sponge and
+water and cleaned the face of Le Noir, which was found to be well
+peppered with split peas!
+
+Cap looked around, and seeing the astonished looks of the good people,
+burst into an irrepressible fit of laughter, saying, as soon as she had
+got breath enough:
+
+"Upon my word, neighbors, you look more shocked, if not actually more
+disappointed, to find that, after all he is not killed, and there'll be
+no spectacle, than you did at first when you thought murder had been
+done."
+
+"Will you be good enough to explain this, young woman?" said the
+magistrate, severely.
+
+"Certainly, for your worship seems as much disappointed as others!"
+said Cap. Then turning toward the group around the bed, she said:
+
+"You have heard Mr. Le Noir's 'last dying speech and confession,' as he
+supposed it to be; and you know the maddening provocations that
+inflamed my temper against him. Last night, after having received his
+insulting answer to my challenge, there was evil in my heart, I do
+assure you! I possessed myself of my uncle's revolvers and resolved to
+waylay him this morning and force him to give me satisfaction, or if he
+refused--well, no matter! I tell you, there was danger in me! But,
+before retiring to bed at night, it is my habit to say my prayers; now
+the practice of prayer and the purpose of 'red-handed violence,' cannot
+exist in the same person at the same time! I wouldn't sleep without
+praying, and I couldn't pray without giving up my thoughts of fatal
+vengeance upon Craven Le Noir. So at last I made up my mind to spare
+his life, and teach him a lesson. The next morning I drew the charges
+of the revolvers and reloaded them with poor powder and dried peas!
+Everything else has happened just as he has told you! He has received
+no harm, except in being terribly frightened, and in having his beauty
+spoiled! And as for that, didn't I offer him one of the pistols, and
+expose my own face to similar damage? For I'd scorn to take advantage
+of any one!" said Cap, laughing.
+
+Craven Le Noir had now raised himself up in a sitting posture, and was
+looking around with an expression of countenance which was a strange
+blending of relief at this unexpected respite from the grave, and
+intense mortification at finding himself in the ridiculous position
+which the address of Capitola and his own weak nerves, cowardice and
+credulity had placed him.
+
+Cap went up to him and said, in a consoling voice:
+
+"Come, thank heaven that you are not going to die this bout! I'm glad
+you repented and told the truth; and I hope you may live long enough to
+offer heaven a truer repentance than that which is the mere effect of
+fright! For I tell you plainly that if it had not been for the grace of
+the Lord, acting upon my heart last night, your soul might have been in
+Hades now!"
+
+Craven Le Noir shut his eyes, groaned and fell back overpowered by the
+reflection.
+
+"Now, please your worship, may I go home?" asked Cap, demurely, popping
+down a mock courtesy to the magistrate.
+
+"Yes--go! go! go! go! go!" said that officer, with an expression as
+though he considered our Cap an individual of the animal kingdom whom
+neither Buffon nor any other natural philosopher had ever classified,
+and who, as a creature of unknown habits, might sometimes be dangerous.
+
+Cap immediately availed herself of the permission, and went out to look
+for her servant and horses.
+
+But Jem, the first moment he had found himself unwatched, had put out
+as fast as he could fly to Hurricane Hall, to inform Major Warfield of
+what had occurred.
+
+And Capitola, after losing a great deal of time in looking for him,
+mounted her horse and was just about to start, when who should ride up
+in hot haste but Old Hurricane, attended by Wool.
+
+"Stop there!" he shouted, as he saw Cap.
+
+She obeyed, and he sprang from his horse with the agility of youth, and
+helped her to descend from hers.
+
+Then drawing her arm within his own, he led her into the parlor, and,
+putting an unusual restraint upon himself, he ordered her to tell him
+all about the affair.
+
+Cap sat down and gave him the whole history from beginning to end.
+
+Old Hurricane could not sit still to hear. He strode up and down the
+room, striking his stick upon the floor, and uttering inarticulate
+sounds of rage and defiance.
+
+When Cap had finished her story he suddenly stopped before her, brought
+down the point of his stick with a resounding thump upon the floor and
+exclaimed:
+
+"Demmy, you New York newsboy! Will you never be a woman? Why the demon
+didn't you tell me, sirrah? I would have called the fellow out and
+chastised him to your heart's content! Hang it, miss, answer me and
+say!"
+
+"Because you are on the invalid list and I am in sound condition and
+capable of taking my own part!" said Cap.
+
+"Then, answer me this, while you were taking your own part, why the
+foul fiend didn't you pepper him with something sharper than dried
+peas?"
+
+"I think he is quite as severely punished in suffering from extreme
+terror and intense mortification and public ridicule," said Cap.
+
+"And now, uncle, I have not eaten a single blessed mouthful this
+morning, and I am hungry enough to eat up Gyp, or to satisfy Patty."
+
+Old Hurricane, permitting his excitement to subside in a few expiring
+grunts, rang the bell and gave orders for breakfast to be served.
+
+And after that meal was over he set out with his niece for Hurricane
+Hall.
+
+And upon arriving at home he addressed a letter to Mr. Le Noir, to the
+effect that as soon as the latter should have recovered from the effect
+of his fright and mortification, he, Major Warfield, should demand and
+expect satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+BLACK DONALD'S LAST ATTEMPT.
+
+    Who can express the horror of that night,
+      When darkness lent his robes to monster fear?
+    And heaven's black mantle, banishing the light,
+      Made everything in fearful form appear.
+
+                          --Brandon.
+
+
+Let it not be supposed that Black Donald had forgotten his promise to
+Colonel Le Noir, or was indifferent to its performance.
+
+But many perilous failures had taught him caution.
+
+He had watched and waylaid Capitola in her rides. But the girl seemed
+to bear a charmed safety; for never once had he caught sight of her
+except in company with her groom and with Craven Le Noir. And very soon
+by eavesdropping on these occasions, he learned the secret design of
+the son to forestall the father, and run off with the heiress.
+
+And as Black Donald did not foresee what success Craven Le Noir might
+have with Capitola, he felt the more urgent necessity for prompt action
+on his own part.
+
+He might, indeed, have brought his men and attacked and overcome
+Capitola's attendants, in open day; but the enterprise must needs have
+been attended with great bloodshed and loss of life, which would have
+made a sensation in the neighborhood that Black Donald, in the present
+state of his fortunes, was by no means ambitious of daring.
+
+In a word, had such an act of unparalleled violence been attempted, the
+better it succeeded the greater would have been the indignation of the
+people, and the whole country would probably have risen and armed
+themselves and hunted the outlaws, as so many wild beasts, with horses
+and hounds.
+
+Therefore, Black Donald preferred quietly to abduct his victim, so as
+to leave no trace of her "taking off," but to allow it to be supposed
+that she had eloped.
+
+He resolved to undertake this adventure alone, though to himself
+personally this plan was even more dangerous than the other.
+
+He determined to gain access to her chamber, secrete himself anywhere
+in the room (except under the bed, where his instincts informed him
+that Capitola every night looked), and when the household should be
+buried in repose, steal out upon her, overpower, gag and carry her off,
+in the silence of the night, leaving no trace of his own presence
+behind.
+
+By means of one of his men, who went about unsuspected among the
+negroes, buying up mats and baskets, that the latter were in the habit
+of making for sale, he learned that Capitola occupied the same remote
+chamber, in the oldest part of the house; but that a guest slept in the
+room next, and another in the one opposite hers. And that the house was
+besides full of visitors from the city, who had come down to spend the
+sporting season, and that they were hunting all day and carousing all
+night from one week's end to another.
+
+On hearing this, Black Donald quickly comprehended that it was no time
+to attempt the abduction of the maiden, with the least probability of
+success. All would be risked and most probably lost in the endeavor.
+
+He resolved, therefore, to wait until the house should be clear of
+company, and the household fallen into their accustomed carelessness
+and monotony.
+
+He had to wait much longer than he had reckoned upon--through October
+and through November, when he first heard of and laughed over Cap's
+"duel" with Craven Le Noir, and congratulated himself upon the fact
+that that rival was no longer to be feared. He had also to wait through
+two-thirds of the month of December, because a party had come down to
+enjoy a short season of fox-hunting. They went away just before
+Christmas.
+
+And then at last came Black Donald's opportunity! And a fine
+opportunity it was! Had Satan himself engaged to furnish him with one
+to order, it could not have been better!
+
+The reader must know that throughout Virginia the Christmas week, from
+the day after Christmas until the day after New-Year, is the negroes'
+saturnalia! There are usually eight days of incessant dancing, feasting
+and frolicking from quarter to quarter, and from barn to barn. Then the
+banjo, the fiddle and the "bones" are heard from morning until night,
+and from night until morning.
+
+And nowhere was this annual octave of festivity held more sacred than
+at Hurricane Hall. It was the will of Major Warfield that they should
+have their full satisfaction out of their seven days' carnival. He
+usually gave a dinner party on Christmas day, after which his people
+were free until the third of January.
+
+"Demmy, mum!" he would say to Mrs. Condiment, "they wait on us
+fifty-one weeks in the year, and it's hard if we can't wait on
+ourselves the fifty-second!"
+
+Small thanks to Old Hurricane for his self-denial! He did nothing for
+himself or others, and Mrs. Condiment and Capitola had a hot time of it
+in serving him. Mrs. Condiment had to do all the cooking and housework.
+And Cap had to perform most of the duties of Major Warfield's valet.
+And that was the way in which Old Hurricane waited on himself.
+
+It happened, therefore, that about the middle of the Christmas week,
+being Wednesday, the twenty-eighth of December, all the house-servants
+and farm laborers from Hurricane Hall went off in a body to a banjo
+break-down given at a farm five miles across the country.
+
+And Major Warfield, Mrs. Condiment and Capitola were the only living
+beings left in the old house that night.
+
+Black Donald, who had been prowling about the premises evening after
+evening, watching his opportunity to effect his nefarious object, soon
+discovered the outward bound stampede of the negroes, and the
+unprotected state in which the old house, for that night only, would be
+left. And he determined to take advantage of the circumstance to
+consummate his wicked purpose.
+
+In its then defenceless condition he could easily have mustered his
+force and carried off his prize without immediate personal risk. But,
+as we said before, he eschewed violence, as being likely to provoke
+after effects of a too fatal character.
+
+He resolved rather at once to risk his own personal safety in the
+quieter plan of abduction which he had formed.
+
+He determined that as soon as it should be dark he would watch his
+opportunity to enter the house, steal to Cap's chamber, secrete himself
+in a closet, and when all should be quiet, "in the dead waste and
+middle of the night," he would come out, master her, stop her mouth and
+carry her off.
+
+When it became quite dark he approached the house, and hid himself
+under the steps beneath the back door leading from the hall into the
+garden, to watch his opportunity of entering. He soon found that his
+enterprise required great patience as well as courage. He had to wait
+more than two hours before he heard the door unlocked and opened.
+
+He then peered out from his hiding-place and saw old Hurricane taking
+his way out towards the garden.
+
+Now was his time to slip unperceived into the house. He stealthily came
+out from his hiding-place, crept up the portico stairs to the back
+door, noiselessly turned the latch, entered and closed it behind him.
+He had just time to open a side door on his right hand and conceal
+himself in a wood closet under the stairs, when he heard the footsteps
+of Old Hurricane returning.
+
+The old man came in and Black Donald laughed to himself to hear with
+what caution he locked, bolted and barred the doors to keep out
+house-breakers!
+
+"Ah, old fellow, you are fastening the stable after the horse has been
+stolen!" said Black Donald to himself.
+
+As soon as old Hurricane had passed by the closet in which the outlaw
+was concealed, and had gone into the parlor, Black Donald determined to
+risk the ascent into Capitola's chamber. From the description given by
+his men, who had once succeeded in finding their way thither, he knew
+very well where to go.
+
+Noiselessly, therefore, he left his place of concealment and crept out
+to reconnoitre the hall, which he found deserted.
+
+Old Hurricane's shawl, hat and walking stick were deposited in one
+corner. In case of being met on the way, he put the hat on his head,
+wrapped the shawl around his shoulders, and took the stick in his hand.
+
+His forethought proved to be serviceable. He went through the hall and
+up the first flight of stairs without interruption; but on going along
+the hall of the second story he met Mrs. Condiment coming out of Old
+Hurricane's room.
+
+"Your slippers are on the hearth, your gown is at the fire and the
+kettle is boiling to make your punch, Major Warfield," said the old
+lady in passing.
+
+"Umph! umph! umph!" grunted Black Donald in reply.
+
+The housekeeper then bade him good-night, saying that she was going at
+once to her room.
+
+"Umph!" assented Black Donald. And so they parted and this peril was
+passed.
+
+Black Donald went up the second flight of stairs and then down a back
+passage and a narrow staircase and along a corridor and through several
+untenanted rooms, and into another passage, and finally through a side
+door leading into Capitola's chamber.
+
+Here he looked around for a safe hiding-place--there was a high
+bedstead curtained; two deep windows also curtained; two closets, a
+dressing bureau, workstand, washstand and two arm chairs. The
+forethought of little Pitapat had caused her to kindle a fire on the
+hearth and place a waiter of refreshments on the workstand, so as to
+make all comfortable before she had left with the other negroes to go
+to the banjo break-down.
+
+Among the edibles Pitapat had been careful to leave a small bottle of
+brandy, a pitcher of cream, a few eggs and some spice, saying to
+herself, "Long as it was Christmas time Miss Caterpillar might want a
+sup of egg-nog quiet to herself, jes' as much as old marse did his
+whiskey punch"--and never fancying that her young mistress would
+require a more delicate lunch than her old master.
+
+Black Donald laughed as he saw this outlay, and remarking that the
+young occupant of the chamber must have an appetite of her own, he put
+the neck of the brandy bottle to his lips and took what he called "a
+heavy swig."
+
+Then vowing that old Hurricane knew what good liquor was, he replaced
+the bottle and looked around to find the best place for his
+concealment.
+
+He soon determined to hide himself behind the thick folds of the window
+curtain, nearest the door, so that immediately after the entrance of
+Capitola he could glide to the door, lock it, withdraw the key and have
+the girl at once in his power.
+
+He took a second "swig" at the brandy bottle and then went into his
+place of concealment to wait events.
+
+That same hour Capitola was her uncle's partner in a prolonged game of
+chess. It was near eleven o'clock before Cap, heartily tired of the
+battle, permitted herself to be beaten in order to get to bed.
+
+With a satisfied chuckle, Old Hurricane arose from his seat, lighted
+two bed-chamber lamps, gave one to Capitola, took the other himself,
+and started off for his room, followed by Cap as far as the head of the
+first flight of stairs, where she bade him good night.
+
+She waited until she saw him enter his room, heard him lock his door on
+the inside and throw himself down heavily into his arm chair, and then
+she went on her own way.
+
+She hurried up the second flight of stairs and along the narrow
+passages, empty rooms, and steep steps and dreary halls, until she
+reached the door of her own dormitory.
+
+She turned the latch and entered the room.
+
+The first thing that met her sight was the waiter of provisions upon
+the stand. And at this fresh instance of her little maid's forethought,
+she burst into a uncontrollable fit of laughter.
+
+She did not see a dark figure glide from behind the window curtains,
+steal to the door, turn the lock and withdraw the key!
+
+But still retaining her prejudice against the presence of food in her
+bed-chamber, she lifted up the waiter in both hands to carry it out
+into the passage, turned and stood face to face with--Black Donald!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE AWFUL PERIL OF CAPITOLA.
+
+    Out of this nettle, danger,
+    I'll pluck the flower, safety!
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Capitola's blood seemed turned to ice, and her form to stone by the
+sight! Her first impulse was to scream and let fall the waiter! She
+controlled herself and repressed the scream though she was very near
+dropping the waiter.
+
+Black Donald looked at her and laughed aloud at her consternation,
+saying with a chuckle:
+
+"You did not expect to see me here to-night, did you now, my dear?"
+
+She gazed at him in a silent panic for a moment.
+
+Then her faculties, that had been suddenly dispersed by the shock, as
+suddenly rallied to her rescue.
+
+In one moment she understood her real position.
+
+Black Donald had locked her in with himself and held the key--so she
+could not hope to get out.
+
+The loudest scream that she might utter would never reach the distant
+chamber of Major Warfield, or the still more remote apartment of Mrs.
+Condiment; so she could not hope to bring any one to her assistance.
+
+She was, therefore, entirely in the power of Black Donald. She fully
+comprehended this, and said to herself:
+
+"Now, my dear Cap, if you don't look sharp your hour is come! Nothing
+on earth will save you, Cap, but your own wits! For if ever I saw
+mischief in any one's face, it is in that fellow's that is eating you
+up with his great eyes at the same time that he is laughing at you with
+his big mouth! Now, Cap, my little man, be a woman! Don't you stick at
+trifles! Think of Jael and Sisera! Think of Judith and Holofernes! And
+the devil and Doctor Faust, if necessary, and don't you blanch! All
+stratagems are fair in love and war--especially in war, and most
+especially in such a war as this is likely to be--a contest in close
+quarters for dear life!"
+
+All this passed through her mind in one moment, and in the next her
+plan was formed.
+
+Setting her waiter down upon the table and throwing herself into one of
+the armchairs, she said:
+
+"Well, upon my word! I think a gentleman might let a lady know when he
+means to pay her a domiciliary visit at midnight!"
+
+"Upon my word, I think you are very cool!" replied Black Donald,
+throwing himself into the second armchair on the other side of the
+stand of refreshments.
+
+"People are likely to be cool on a December night, with the thermometer
+at zero, and the ground three feet under the snow," said Cap, nothing
+daunted.
+
+"Capitola, I admire you! You are a cucumber! That's what you are, a
+cucumber!"
+
+"A pickled one?" asked Cap.
+
+"Yes, and as pickled cucumbers are good to give one an appetite, I
+think I shall fall to and eat."
+
+"Do so," said Cap, "for heaven forbid that I should fail in hospitality!"
+
+"Why, really, this looks as though you had expected a visitor--doesn't
+it?" asked Black Donald, helping himself to a huge slice of ham, and
+stretching his feet out toward the fire.
+
+"Well, yes, rather; though, to say the truth, it was not your reverence
+I expected," said Cap.
+
+"Ah! somebody else's reverence, eh? Well, let them come! I'll be ready
+for them!" said the outlaw, pouring out and quaffing a large glass of
+brandy. He drank it, set down the glass, and turning to our little
+heroine, inquired:
+
+"Capitola did you ever have Craven Le Noir here to supper with you?"
+
+"You insult me! I scorn to reply!" said Cap.
+
+"Whe-ew! What long whiskers our Grimalkin's got! You scorn to reply!
+Then you really are not afraid of me?" asked the robber, rolling a
+great piece of cheese in his mouth.
+
+"Afraid of you? No, I guess not!" replied Cap, with a toss of her head.
+
+"Yet, I might do you some harm."
+
+"But, you won't!"
+
+"Why won't I?"
+
+"Because it won't pay!"
+
+"Why wouldn't it?"
+
+"Because you couldn't do me any harm, unless you were to kill me, and
+you would gain nothing by my death, except a few trinkets that you may
+have without."
+
+"Then, you are really not afraid of me?" he asked, taking another deep
+draught of brandy.
+
+"Not a bit of it--I rather like you!"
+
+"Come, now, you're running a rig upon a fellow," said the outlaw,
+winking and depositing a huge chunk of bread in his capacious jaws.
+
+"No, indeed! I liked you, long before I ever saw you! I always did like
+people that make other people's hair stand on end! Don't you remember
+when you first came here disguised as a peddler, though I did not know
+who you were, when we were talking of Black Donald, and everybody was
+abusing him, except myself? I took his part and said that for my part I
+liked Black Donald and wanted to see him."
+
+"Sure enough, my jewel, so you did! And didn't I bravely risk my life
+by throwing off my disguise to gratify your laudable wish?"
+
+"So you did, my hero!"
+
+"Ah, but well as you liked me, the moment you thought me in your power
+didn't you leap upon my shoulders like a catamount and cling there,
+shouting to all the world to come and help you, for you had caught
+Black Donald and would die before you would give him up? Ah! you little
+vampire, how you thirsted for my blood! And you pretended to like me!"
+said Black Donald, eying her from head to foot, with a sly leer.
+
+Cap returned the look with interest. Dropping her head on one side, she
+glanced upward from the corner of her eye, with an expression of
+"infinite" mischief and roguery, saying:
+
+"Lor, didn't you know why I did that?"
+
+"Because you wanted me captured, I suppose."
+
+"No, indeed, but, because----"
+
+"Well, what?"
+
+"Because I wanted you to carry me off!"
+
+"Well, I declare! I never thought of that!" said the outlaw, dropping
+his bread and cheese, and staring at the young girl.
+
+"Well, you might have thought of it then! I was tired of hum-drum life,
+and I wanted to see adventures!" said Cap.
+
+Black Donald looked at the mad girl from head to foot and then said,
+coolly:
+
+"Miss Black, I am afraid you are not good."
+
+"Yes I am--before folks!" said Cap.
+
+"And so you really wished me to carry you off?"
+
+"I should think so! Didn't I stick to you until you dropped me?"
+
+"Certainly! And now if you really like me as well as you say you do,
+come give me a kiss."
+
+"I won't!" said Cap, "until you have done your supper and washed your
+face! Your beard is full of crumbs!"
+
+"Very well, I can wait awhile! Meantime just brew me a bowl of egg-nog,
+by way of a night-cap, will you?" said the outlaw, drawing off his
+boots and stretching his feet to the fire.
+
+"Agreed, but it takes two to make egg-nog; you'll have to whisk up the
+whites of the eggs into a froth, while I beat the yellows, and mix the
+other ingredients," said Cap.
+
+"Just so," assented the outlaw, standing up and taking off his coat and
+flinging it upon the floor.
+
+Cap shuddered, but went on calmly with her preparations. There were two
+little white bowls setting one within the other upon the table. Cap
+took them apart and set them side by side and began to break the eggs,
+letting the whites slip into one bowl and dropping the yellows into the
+other.
+
+Black Donald sat down in his shirt sleeves, took one of the bowls from
+Capitola and began to whisk up the whites with all his might and main.
+
+Capitola beat up the yellows, gradually mixing the sugar with it. In
+the course of her work she complained that the heat of the fire
+scorched her face, and she drew her chair farther towards the corner of
+the chimney, and pulled the stand after her.
+
+"Oh, you are trying to get away from me," said Black Donald, hitching
+his own chair in the same direction, close to the stand, so that he sat
+immediately in front of the fireplace.
+
+Cap smiled and went on beating her eggs and sugar together. Then she
+stirred in the brandy and poured in the milk and took the bowl from
+Black Donald and laid on the foam. Finally, she filled a goblet with
+the rich compound and handed it to her uncanny guest.
+
+Black Donald untied his neck cloth, threw it upon the floor and sipped
+his egg-nog, all the while looking over the top of the glass at
+Capitola.
+
+"Miss Black," he said, "it must be past twelve o'clock."
+
+"I suppose it is," said Cap.
+
+"Then it must be long past your usual hour of retiring."
+
+"Of course it is," said Cap.
+
+"Then what are you waiting for?"
+
+"For my company to go home," replied Cap.
+
+"Meaning me?"
+
+"Meaning you."
+
+"Oh, don't mind me, my dear."
+
+"Very well," said Cap, "I shall not trouble myself about you," and her
+tones were steady, though her heart seemed turned into a ball of ice,
+through terror.
+
+Black Donald went on slowly sipping his egg-nog, filling up his goblet
+when it was empty, and looking at Capitola over the top of his glass.
+At last he said:
+
+"I have been watching you, Miss Black."
+
+"Little need to tell me that," said Cap.
+
+"And I have been reading you."
+
+"Well, I hope the page was entertaining."
+
+"Well, yes, my dear, it was, rather so. But why don't you proceed?"
+
+"Proceed--with what?"
+
+"With what you are thinking of, my darling."
+
+"I don't understand you!"
+
+"Why don't you offer to go down-stairs and bring up some lemons?"
+
+"Oh, I'll go in a moment," said Cap, "if you wish."
+
+"Ha--ha--ha--ha--ha! Of course you will, my darling! And you'd deliver me
+into the hands of the Philistines, just as you did my poor men when you
+fooled them about the victuals! I know your tricks and all your acting
+has no other effect on me than to make me admire your wonderful coolness
+and courage; so, my dear, stop puzzling your little head with schemes
+to baffle me! You are like the caged starling! You can't--get--out!"
+chuckled Black Donald, hitching his chair nearer to hers. He was now
+right upon the center of the rug.
+
+Capitola turned very pale, but not with fear, though Black Donald
+thought she did, and roared with laughter.
+
+"Have you done your supper?" she asked, with a sort of awful calmness.
+
+"Yes my duck," replied the outlaw, pouring the last of the egg-nog into
+his goblet, drinking it at a draught and chuckling as he set down the
+glass.
+
+Capitola then lifted the stand with the refreshments to remove it to
+its usual place.
+
+"What are you going to do, my dear?" asked Black Donald.
+
+"Clear away the things and set the room in order," said Capitola, in
+the same awfully calm tone.
+
+"A nice little housewife you'll make, my duck!" said Black Donald.
+
+Capitola set the stand in its corner and then removed her own armchair
+to its place before the dressing bureau.
+
+Nothing now remained upon the rug except Black Donald seated in the
+armchair!
+
+Capitola paused; her blood seemed freezing in her veins; her heart beat
+thickly; her throat was choked; her head full nearly to bursting, and
+her eyes were veiled by a blinding film.
+
+"Come--come--my duck--make haste; it is late; haven't you done setting
+the room in order yet?" said Black Donald, impatiently.
+
+"In one moment," said Capitola, coming behind his chair and leaning
+upon the back of it.
+
+"Donald," she said, with dreadful calmness, "I will not now call you
+Black Donald! I will call you as your poor mother did, when your young
+soul was as white as your skin, before she ever dreamed her boy would
+grow black with crime! I will call you simply Donald, and entreat you
+to hear me for a few minutes."
+
+"Talk on, then, but talk fast, and leave my mother alone! Let the dead
+rest!" exclaimed the outlaw, with a violent convulsion of his bearded
+chin and lip that did not escape the notice of Capitola, who hoped some
+good of this betrayal of feeling.
+
+"Donald," she said, "men call you a man of blood; they say that your
+hand is red and your soul black with crime!"
+
+"They may say what they like--I care not!" laughed the outlaw.
+
+"But I do not believe all this of you! I believe that there is good in
+all, and much good in you; that there is hope for all, and strong hope
+for you!"
+
+"Bosh! Stop talking poetry! 'Tain't in my line, nor yours, either!"
+laughed Black Donald.
+
+"But truth is in all our lines. Donald, I repeat it, men call you a man
+of blood! They say that your hands are red and your soul black with
+sin! Black Donald, they call you! But, Donald, you have never yet
+stained your soul with a crime as black as that which you think of
+perpetrating to-night!"
+
+"It must be one o'clock, and I'm tired," replied the outlaw, with a
+yawn.
+
+"All your former acts," continued Capitola, in the same voice of awful
+calmness, "have been those of a bold, bad man! This act would be that
+of a base one!"
+
+"Take care, girl--no bad names! You are in my power--at my mercy!"
+
+"I know my position, but I must continue. Hitherto you have robbed mail
+coaches and broken into rich men's houses. In doing thus you have
+always boldly risked your life, often at such fearful odds that men
+have trembled at their firesides to hear of it. And even women, while
+deploring your crimes, have admired your courage."
+
+"I thank 'em kindly for it! Women always like men with a spice of the
+devil in them!" laughed the outlaw.
+
+"No, they do not!" said Capitola, gravely. "They like men of strength,
+courage and spirit--but those qualities do not come from the Evil One,
+but from the Lord, who is the giver of all good. Your Creator, Donald,
+gave you the strength, courage and spirit that all men and women so
+much admire; but He did not give you these great powers that you might
+use them in the service of his enemy, the devil!"
+
+"I declare there is really something in that! I never thought of that
+before."
+
+"Nor ever thought, perhaps, that however misguided you may have been,
+there is really something great and good in yourself that might yet be
+used for the good of man and the glory of God!" said Capitola,
+solemnly.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! Oh, you flatterer! Come, have you done? I tell you it is
+after one o'clock, and I am tired to death!"
+
+"Donald, in all your former acts of lawlessness your antagonists were
+strong men; and as you boldly risked your life in your depredations,
+your acts, though bad, were not base! But now your antagonist is a
+feeble girl, who has been unfortunate from her very birth; to destroy
+her would be an act of baseness to which you never yet descended."
+
+"Bosh! Who talks of destruction? I am tired of all this nonsense! I
+mean to carry you off and there's an end of it!" said the outlaw,
+doggedly, rising from his seat.
+
+"Stop!" said Capitola, turning ashen pale. "Stop--sit down and hear me
+for just five minutes--I will not tax your patience longer."
+
+The robber, with a loud laugh, sank again into his chair, saying:
+
+"Very well, talk on for just five minutes, and not a single second
+longer; but if you think in that time to persuade me to leave this room
+to-night without you, you are widely out of your reckoning, my duck,
+that's all."
+
+"Donald, do not sink your soul to perdition by a crime that heaven
+cannot pardon! Listen to me! I have jewels here worth several thousand
+dollars! If you will consent to go I will give them all to you and let
+you quietly out of the front door and never say one word to mortal of
+what has passed here to-night."
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! Why, my dear, how green you must think me! What hinders me
+from possessing myself of your jewels, as well as of yourself!" said
+Black Donald, impatiently rising.
+
+"Sit still! The five minutes' grace are not half out yet," said
+Capitola, in a breathless voice.
+
+"So they are not! I will keep my promise," replied Black Donald,
+laughing, and again dropping into his seat.
+
+"Donald, Uncle pays me a quarterly sum for pocket money, which is at
+least five times as much as I can spend in this quiet country place. It
+has been accumulating for years until now I have several thousand
+dollars all of my own. You shall have it if you will only go quietly
+away and leave me in peace!" prayed Capitola.
+
+"My dear, I intend to take that anyhow--take it as your bridal dower,
+you know! For I'm going to carry you off and make an honest wife of
+you!"
+
+"Donald, give up this heinous purpose!" cried Capitola, in an agony of
+supplication, as she leaned over the back of the outlaw's chair.
+
+"Yes, you know I will--ha--ha--ha!" laughed the robber.
+
+"Man, for your own sake give it up!"
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! for my sake!"
+
+"Yes, for yours! Black Donald, have you ever reflected on death?" asked
+Capitola, in a low and terrible voice.
+
+"I have risked it often enough; but as to reflecting upon it--it will
+be time enough to do that when it comes! I am a powerful man, in the
+prime and pride of life," said the athlete, stretching himself
+exultingly.
+
+"Yet it might come--death might come with sudden overwhelming power,
+and hurl you to destruction! What a terrible thing for this magnificent
+frame of yours, this glorious handiwork of the Creator, to be hurled to
+swift destruction, and for the soul that animates it to be cast into
+hell!"
+
+"Bosh again! That is a subject for the pulpit, not for a pretty girl's
+room. If you really think me such a handsome man, why don't you go with
+me at once and say no more about it," roared the outlaw laughing.
+
+"Black Donald--will you leave my room?" cried Capitola, in an agony of
+prayer.
+
+"No!" answered the outlaw, mocking her tone.
+
+"Is there no inducement that I can hold out to you to leave me?"
+
+"None!"
+
+Capitola raised herself from her leaning posture, took a step backward,
+so that she stood entirely free from the trap-door, then slipping her
+foot under the rug, she placed it lightly on the spring-bolt, which she
+was careful not to press; the ample fall of her dress concealed the
+position of her foot.
+
+Capitola was now paler than a corpse, for hers was the pallor of a
+living horror! Her heart beat violently, her head throbbed, her voice
+was broken as she said:
+
+"Man, I will give you one more chance! Oh, man, pity yourself as I pity
+you, and consent to leave me!"
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! It is quite likely that I will! Isn't it, now? No, my
+duck, I haven't watched and planned for this chance for this long time
+past to give it up, now that you are in my power! A likely story
+indeed! And now the five minutes' grace are quite up!"
+
+"Stop! Don't move yet! Before you stir, say: 'Lord, have mercy on me!"
+said Capitola, solemnly.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! That's a pretty idea! Why should I say that?"
+
+"Say it to please me! Only say it, Black Donald!"
+
+"But why to please you?"
+
+"Because I wish not to kill both your body and soul--because I would
+not send you prayerless into the presence of your Creator! For, Black
+Donald, within a few seconds your body will be hurled to swift
+destruction, and your soul will stand before the bar of God!" said
+Capitola, with her foot upon the spring of the concealed trap.
+
+She had scarcely ceased speaking before he bounded to his feet, whirled
+around and confronted her, like a lion at bay, roaring forth:
+
+"You have a revolver there, girl--move a finger and I shall throw
+myself upon you like an avalanche?"
+
+"I have no revolver--watch my hands as I take them forth, and see!"
+said Capitola, stretching her arms out toward him.
+
+"What do you mean, then, by your talk of sudden destruction?" inquired
+Black Donald, in a voice of thunder.
+
+"I mean that it hangs over you--that it is imminent! That it is not to
+be escaped! Oh, man, call on God, for you have not a minute to live!"
+
+The outlaw gazed on her in astonishment.
+
+Well he might, for there she stood paler than marble--sterner than
+fate--with no look of human feeling about her, but the gleaming light
+of her terrible eyes, and the beading sweat upon her death-like brow.
+
+For an instant the outlaw gazed on her in consternation, and then,
+recovering himself he burst into a loud laugh, exclaiming:
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! Well, I suppose this is what people would call a piece of
+splendid acting! Do you expect to frighten me, my dear, as you did
+Craven Le Noir, with the peas!"
+
+"Say 'Lord have mercy on my soul'--say it. Black Donald--say it. I
+beseech you!" she prayed.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha, my dear! You may say it for me! And to reward you, I will
+give you, such a kiss! It will put life into those marble cheeks of
+yours!" he laughed.
+
+"I will say it for you! May the Lord pity and save Black Donald's soul,
+if that be yet possible, for the Saviour's sake!" prayed Capitola, in a
+broken voice, with her foot upon the concealed and fatal spring.
+
+He laughed aloud, stretched forth his arms and rushed to clasp her.
+
+She pressed the spring.
+
+The drop fell with a tremendous crash!
+
+The outlaw shot downwards--there was an instant's vision of a white and
+panic-stricken face, and wild, uplifted hands as he disappeared, and
+then a square, black opening, was all that remained where the terrible
+intruder had sat.
+
+No sight or sound came up from that horrible pit, to hint of the
+secrets of the prison house.
+
+One shuddering glance at the awful void and then Capitola turned and
+threw herself, face downward, upon the bed, not daring to rejoice in
+the safety that had been purchased by such a dreadful deed, feeling
+that it was an awful, though a complete victory!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE NEXT MORNING.
+
+                Oh, such a day!
+    So fought, so followed and so fairly won
+    Came not till now to dignify the times.
+              Since Cćsar's fortunes.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Capitola lay upon the bed, with her face buried in the pillow, the
+greater portion of the time from two o'clock until day. An
+uncontrollable horror prevented her from turning lest she should see
+the yawning mystery in the middle of the floor, or hear some awful
+sound from its unknown depths. The very shadows on the walls thrown up
+wildly by the expiring firelight were objects of grotesque terror.
+Never--never--in her whole youth of strange vicissitude, had the nerves
+of this brave girl been so tremendously shaken and prostrated.
+
+It was late in the morning when at last nature succumbed, and she sank
+into a deep sleep. She had not slept long when she was aroused from a
+profound state of insensibility by a loud, impatient knocking at her
+door.
+
+She started up wildly and gazed around her. For a minute she could not
+remember what were the circumstances under which she had laid down, or
+what was that vague feeling of horror and alarm that possessed her.
+Then the yawning trap-door, the remnants of the supper, and Black
+Donald's coat, hat and boots upon the floor, drove in upon her reeling
+brain the memory of the night of terror!
+
+The knocking continued more loudly and impatiently, accompanied by the
+voice of Mrs. Condiment, crying:
+
+"Miss Capitola--Miss Capitola--why, what can be the matter with her?
+Miss Capitola!"
+
+"Eh? What? Yes!" answered Capitola, pressing her hands to her feverish
+forehead, and putting back her dishevelled hair.
+
+"Why, how soundly you sleep, my dear! I've been calling and rapping
+here for a quarter of an hour! Good gracious, child what made you
+oversleep yourself so?"
+
+"I--did not get to bed till very late," said Capitola, confusedly.
+
+"Well, well, my dear, make haste now, your uncle is none of the
+patientest, and he has been waiting breakfast for some time! Come, open
+the door and I will help you to dress, so that you may be ready
+sooner."
+
+Capitola rose from the side of the bed, where she had been sitting, and
+went cautiously around that gaping trap door to her chamber door, when
+she missed the key, and suddenly remembered that it had been in Black
+Donald's pocket when he fell. A shudder thrilled her frame at the
+thought of that horrible fall.
+
+"Well--well--Miss Capitola, why don't you open the door?" cried the old
+lady, impatiently.
+
+"Mrs. Condiment, I have lost the key--dropped it down the trap-door.
+Please ask uncle to send for some one to take the lock off--and don't
+wait breakfast for me."
+
+"Well, I do think that was very careless, my dear; but I'll go at
+once," said the old lady, moving away.
+
+She had not been gone more than ten minutes, when Old Hurricane was
+heard, coming blustering along the hall and calling:
+
+"What now, you imp of Satan? What mischief have you been at now?
+Opening the trap-door, you mischievous monkey! I wish from the bottom
+of my soul you had fallen into it, and I should have got rid of one
+trial! Losing your key, you careless baggage! I've a great mind to
+leave you locked up there forever."
+
+Thus scolding, Old Hurricane reached the spot and began to ply
+screw-drivers and chisels until at length the strong lock yielded, and
+he opened the door.
+
+There a vision met his eyes that arrested his steps upon the very
+threshold; the remains of a bacchanalian supper; a man's coat and hat
+and boots upon the floor; in the midst of the room the great, square,
+black opening; and beyond it standing upon the hearth, the form of
+Capitola, with disordered dress, dishevelled hair and wild aspect!
+
+"Oh, uncle, see what I have been obliged to do!" she exclaimed,
+extending both her arms down toward the opening with a look of blended
+horror and inspiration, such as might have sat upon the countenance of
+some sacrificial priestess of the olden time.
+
+"What--what--what!" cried the old man, nearly dumb with amazement.
+
+"Black Donald was in my room last night. He stole from his concealment
+and locked the door on the inside and withdrew the key, thus locking me
+in with himself, and----" She ceased and struck both hands to her face,
+shuddering from head to foot.
+
+"Go on, girl!" thundered Old Hurricane, in an agony of anxiety.
+
+"I escaped harmless--oh, I did, sir--but at what a fearful price!"
+
+"Explain! Explain!" cried Old Hurricane, in breathless agitation.
+
+"I drew him to sit upon the chair on the rug, and"--again she shuddered
+from head to foot, "and I sprang the trap and precipitated him to--oh,
+heaven of heavens!--where? I know not!"
+
+"But you--you were unharmed?"
+
+"Yes--yes!"
+
+"Oh, Cap! Oh, my dear Cap! Thank heaven for that!"
+
+"But, uncle, where--oh, where did he go?" inquired Capitola, almost
+wildly.
+
+"Who the demon cares? To perdition. I hope and trust, with all my heart
+and soul!" cried Old Hurricane, with emphasis, as he approached and
+looked down the opening.
+
+"Uncle, what is below there?" asked Capitola anxiously, pointing down
+the abyss.
+
+"An old cellar, as I have told you long ago, and Black Donald, as you
+have just told me. Hilloe there! Are you killed, as you deserve to be,
+you atrocious villain?" roared Old Hurricane, stooping down into the
+opening.
+
+A feeble distant moan answered him.
+
+"Oh, heaven! He is living! He is living! I have not killed him!" cried
+Capitola, clasping her hands.
+
+"Why, I do believe you are glad of it!" exclaimed Old Hurricane, in
+astonishment.
+
+"Oh, yes, yes, yes! For it was a fearful thought that I had been
+compelled to take a sacred life! to send an immortal soul unprepared to
+its account!"
+
+"Well! his neck isn't broken, it appears, or he couldn't groan; but I
+hope and trust every other bone in his body is! Mrs. Condiment, mum!
+I'll trouble you to put on your bonnet and walk to Ezy's and tell him
+to come here directly! I must send for the constable," said Old
+Hurricane, going to the door and speaking to his housekeeper, who, with
+an appalled countenance had been a silent spectator of all that had
+passed.
+
+As soon as the old woman had gone to do her errand he turned again, and
+stooping down the hole, exclaimed:
+
+"I say, you scoundrel down there! What do you think of yourself now?
+Are you much hurt, you knave? Is every one of your bones broken, as
+they deserve to be, you villain? Answer me, you varlet!"
+
+A low, deep moan was the only response.
+
+"If that means yes, I'm glad to hear it, you wretch. You'll go to the
+camp-meeting with us again, won't you, you knave? You'll preach against
+evil passions and profane swearing, looking right straight at me all
+the time, until you bring the eyes of the whole congregation upon me as
+a sinner above all sinners, you scoundrel? You'll turn me out of my own
+bed and away from my own board, won't you, you villain? Won't you,
+precious Father Grey? Oh, we'll Father Grey you! Demmy, the next time a
+trap-door falls under you, you rascal, there shall be a rope around
+your neck to keep you from the ground, precious Father Grey!"
+
+"Uncle! Uncle! that is cowardly!" exclaimed Capitola.
+
+"What is cowardly, Miss Impertinence?"
+
+"To insult and abuse a fallen man who is in your power! The poor man is
+badly hurt, may be dying, for aught you know, and you stand over him
+and berate him when he cannot even answer you!"
+
+"Umph, umph, umph; demmy, you're--umph, well, he is fallen, fallen
+pretty badly, eh? and if he should come round after this, the next fall
+he gets will be likely to break his neck, eh?--I say, you gentleman
+below there--Mr. Black Donald--precious Father Grey--you'll keep quiet,
+won't you, while we go and get our breakfast? do, now! Come, Cap, come
+down and pour out my coffee, and by the time we get through, Old Ezy
+will be here."
+
+Capitola complied, and they left the room together.
+
+The overseer came in while they were at breakfast, and with his hair
+standing on end, listened to the account of the capture of the outlaw
+by our heroine.
+
+"And now saddle Fleetfoot and ride for your life to Tip-Top and bring a
+pair of constables," were the last orders of Old Hurricane.
+
+While Mr. Ezy was gone on his errand, Major Warfield, Capitola and Mrs.
+Condiment remained below stairs.
+
+It was several hours before the messenger returned with the constables,
+and with several neighbors whom interest and curiosity had instigated
+to join the party.
+
+As soon as they arrived, a long ladder was procured and carried up into
+Capitola's chamber, and let down through the trap-door. Fortunately it
+was long enough, for when the foot of the ladder found the floor of the
+cellar, the head rested securely against the edge of the opening.
+
+In a moment the two constables began singly to descend, the foremost
+one carrying a lighted candle in his hand.
+
+The remaining members of the party, consisting of Major Warfield,
+Capitola, Mrs. Condiment, and some half dozen neighbors, remained
+gathered around the open trap-door, waiting, watching, and listening
+for what might next happen.
+
+Presently one of the constables called out:
+
+"Major Warfield, sir!"
+
+"Well!" replied Old Hurricane.
+
+"He's a-breathing still, sir; but seems badly hurt, and may be a-dying,
+seeing as he's unsensible and unspeakable. What shall we do long of
+him?"
+
+"Bring him up! let's have a look at the fellow, at any rate!" exclaimed
+Old Hurricane, peremptorily.
+
+"Just so, sir! but some of the gem-men up there'll have to come down on
+the ladder and give a lift. He's a dead weight now, I tell your honor!"
+
+Several of the neighbors immediately volunteered for the service, and
+two of the strongest descended the ladder to lend their aid.
+
+On attempting to move the injured man he uttered a cry of pain, and
+fainted, and then it took the united strength and skill of four strong
+men to raise the huge insensible form of the athlete, and get him up
+the ladder. No doubt the motion greatly inflamed his inward wounds, but
+that could not be helped. They got him up at last, and laid out upon
+the floor a ghastly, bleeding, insensible form, around which every one
+gathered to gaze. While they were all looking upon him as upon a
+slaughtered wild beast, Capitola alone felt compassion.
+
+"Uncle, he is quite crushed by his fall. Make the men lay him upon the
+bed. Never think of me; I shall never occupy this room again; its
+associations are too full of horrors. There, uncle, make them at once
+lay him upon the bed."
+
+"I think the young lady is right, unless we mean to let the fellow
+die," said one of the neighbors.
+
+"Very well! I have particular reasons of my own for wishing that the
+man's life should be spared until he could be brought to trial and
+induced to give up his accomplices," said Old Hurricane. Then, turning
+to his ward, he said:
+
+"Come along, Capitola. Mrs. Condiment will see that your effects are
+transferred to another apartment.
+
+"And you, friends," he continued, addressing the men present, "be so
+good, so soon as we have gone, to undress that fellow and put him to
+bed, and examine his injuries while I send off for a physician; for I
+consider it very important his life should be spared sufficiently long
+to enable him to give up his accomplices." And so saying, Old Hurricane
+drew the arm of Capitola within his own and left the room.
+
+It was noon before the physician arrived. When he had examined the
+patient he pronounced him utterly unfit to be removed, as besides other
+serious contusions and bruises, his legs were broken and several of his
+ribs fractured.
+
+In a word. It was several weeks before the strong constitution of the
+outlaw prevailed over his many injuries, and he was pronounced well
+enough to be taken before a magistrate and committed to prison to await
+his trial. Alas! his life, it was said, was forfeit by a hundred
+crimes, and there could be no doubt as to his fate. He maintained a
+self-possessed good-humored and laughingly defiant manner, and when
+asked to give up his accomplices, he answered gaily:
+
+That treachery was a legal virtue which outlaws could not be expected
+to know anything about.
+
+Capitola was everywhere lauded for her brave part in the capture of the
+famous desperado. But Cap was too sincerely sorry for Black Donald to
+care for the applause.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+A FATAL HATRED.
+
+    "Oh, heaven and all its hosts, he shall not die!"
+    "By Satan and his fiends, he shall not live!
+    This is no transient flash of fugitive passion,
+    His death has been my life for years of misery,
+    Which, else I had not lived,
+    Upon that thought, and not on food, I fed,
+    Upon that thought, and not on sleep, I rested,
+    I came to do the deed that must be done,
+    Nor thou, nor the sheltering angels could prevent me."
+
+                          --Maturin.
+
+
+The United States army, under General Scott, invested the city of
+Mexico.
+
+A succession of splendid victories had marked every stage of their
+advance, from the seacoast to the capital. Vera Cruz had fallen;
+Cerro-Gordo had been stormed and passed; Xalapa taken; the glorious
+triumph of Churubusco had been achieved. The names of Scott, Worth,
+Wool, Quitman, Pillow and others were crowned with honor. Others again,
+whose humble names and unnoticed heroism have never been recorded,
+endured as nobly, suffered as patiently, and fought as bravely. Our own
+young hero, Herbert Greyson, had covered himself with honor.
+
+The War with Mexico witnessed, perhaps, the most rapid promotions of
+any other in the whole history of military affairs.
+
+The rapid ascent of our young officer was a striking instance of this.
+In two years from the time he had entered the service, with a lieutenant's
+commission, he held the rank of major, in the ---- Regiment of Infantry.
+
+Fortune had not smiled upon our other young friend, Traverse
+Rocke--partly because, being entirely out of his vocation, he had no
+right to expect success; but mostly because he had a powerful enemy in
+the Colonel of his regiment--an unsleeping enemy, whose constant
+vigilance was directed to prevent the advancement and insure the
+degradation and ruin of one whom he contemptuously termed the
+"gentleman private."
+
+Now, it is known that by the rules of military etiquette, a wide social
+gulf lies between the Colonel of the regiment and the private in the
+ranks.
+
+Yet, Colonel Le Noir continually went out of his way to insult Private
+Rocke, hoping to provoke him to some act of fatal insubordination.
+
+And very heavy was this trial to a high spirited young man like
+Traverse Rocke, and very fortunate was it for him that he had early
+been imbued with that most important truth, that "He who ruleth his own
+spirit is greater than he who taketh a city."
+
+But, if Colonel Le Noir crossed the gulf of military etiquette to
+harass the poor young soldier, Major Greyson did the same thing for the
+more honorable purpose of soothing and encouraging him.
+
+And both Herbert and Traverse hoped that the designs of their Colonel
+would be still frustrated by the self-command and patience of the young
+private.
+
+Alas! they did not know the great power of evil! They did not know that
+nothing less than Divine Providence could meet and overcome it.
+
+They fondly believed that the malignity of Le Noir had resulted in no
+other practical evil than in preventing the young soldier's
+well-merited advancement, and in keeping him in the humble position of
+a private in the ranks.
+
+They were not aware that the discharge of Traverse Rocke had long ago
+arrived, but that it had been suppressed through the diabolical cunning
+of Le Noir. That letters, messages and packets, sent by his friends to
+the young soldier, had found their way into his Colonel's possession
+and no further.
+
+And so, believing the hatred of that bad man to have been fruitless of
+serious, practical evil, Herbert encouraged his friend to be patient
+for a short time longer, when they should see the end of the campaign,
+if not of the war.
+
+It was now that period of suspense and of false truce between the
+glorious 20th of August and the equally glorious 8th of September,
+1847--between the two most brilliant actions of the war, the battle of
+Churubusco and the storming of Chapultepec.
+
+The General-in-Chief of the United States forces in Mexico was at his
+headquarters in the Archiepiscopal palace of Tacubaya, on the suburbs,
+or in the full sight of the city of the Montezumas, awaiting the issue
+of the conference between the commissioners of the hostile governments,
+met to arrange the terms of a treaty of peace--that every day grew more
+hopeless.
+
+General Scott, who had had misgivings as to the good faith of the
+Mexicans, had now his suspicions confirmed by several breaches on the
+part of the enemy of the terms of the armistice.
+
+Early in September he despatched a letter to General Santa Anna,
+complaining of these infractions of the truce, and warning him that if
+some satisfactory explanations were not made within forty-eight hours
+he should consider the armistice at an end, and renew hostilities.
+
+And not to lose time, he began on the same night a series of
+reconnaissances, the object of which was to ascertain their best
+approach to the city of Mexico, which, in the event of the renewal of
+the war, he purposed to carry by assault.
+
+It is not my intention to pretend to describe the siege and capture of
+the capital, which has been so often and eloquently described by grave
+and wise historians, but rather to follow the fortunes of an humble
+private in the ranks, and relate the events of a certain court-martial,
+as I learned them from the after-dinner talk of a gallant officer who
+had officiated on the occasion.
+
+It was during these early days in September, while the illustrious
+General-in-Chief was meditating concluding the war by the assault of
+the city of Mexico, that Colonel Le Noir also resolved to bring his own
+private feud to an end, and ruin his enemy by a coup-de-diable.
+
+He had an efficient tool for his purpose in the Captain of the company
+to which Traverse Rocke belonged. This man, Captain Zuten, was a vulgar
+upstart thrown into his command by the turbulence of war, as the scum
+is cast up to the surface by the boiling of the cauldron.
+
+He hated Traverse Rocke, for no conceivable reason, unless it was that
+the young private was a perfect contrast to himself, in the possession
+of a handsome person, a well cultivated mind, and a gentlemanly
+deportment--cause sufficient for the antagonism of a mean and vulgar
+nature.
+
+Colonel Le Noir was not slow to see and to take advantage of this
+hatred.
+
+And Captain Zuten became the willing coadjutor and instrument of his
+vengeance. Between them they concocted a plot to bring the unfortunate
+young man to an ignominious death.
+
+One morning, about the first of September, Major Greyson, in going his
+rounds, came upon Traverse, standing sentry near one of the outposts.
+The aspect of the young private was so pale, haggard and despairing
+that his friend immediately stopped and exclaimed:
+
+"Why Traverse, how ill you look! More fitted for the sick list than the
+sentry's duties. What the deuce is the matter?"
+
+The young soldier touched his hat to his superior and answered sadly,
+"I am ill, ill in body and mind, sir."
+
+"Pooh!--leave off etiquette when we are alone, Traverse, and call me
+Herbert, as usual. Heaven knows, I shall be glad when all this is over
+and we fall back into our relative civil positions towards each other.
+But what is the matter now, Traverse? Some of Le Noir's villainy again,
+of course."
+
+"Of course. But I did not mean to complain, Herbert; that were
+childish. I must endure this slavery, these insults and persecutions
+patiently, since I have brought them upon myself."
+
+"Take comfort, Traverse. The war is drawing to a close. Either this
+armistice will end in a permanent peace, or when hostilities are
+renewed our General will carry the city of Mexico by storm, and dictate
+the terms of a treaty from the grand square of the capital. In either
+event the war will soon be over, the troops disbanded, and the
+volunteers free to go about their business, and Doctor Traverse Rocke
+at liberty to pursue his legitimate profession," said Herbert,
+cheerfully.
+
+"It may be so, I do not know. Oh, Herbert, whether it be from want of
+sleep and excessive fatigue--for I have been on duty for three days and
+nights--or whether it be from incipient illness, or all these causes
+put together, I cannot tell, but my spirits are dreadfully depressed!
+There seems to be hanging over me a cloud of fate I cannot dispel.
+Every hour seems descending lower and blacker over my head, until it
+feels like some heavy weight about to suffocate or crush me," said
+Traverse, sadly.
+
+"Pooh, pooh! hypochondria! cheer up! Remember that in a month we shall
+probably be disbanded, and in a year--think of it, Traverse
+Rocke--Clara Day will be twenty-one, and at liberty to give you her
+hand. Cheer up!"
+
+"Ah, Herbert, all that seems now to be more unsubstantial than the
+fabric of a dream. I cannot think of Clara or of my mother without
+despair. For oh, Herbert, between me and them there seems to yawn a
+dishonored grave! Herbert, they talk, you know, of an attack upon the
+Molina-del-Rey, and I almost hope to fall in that charge!"
+
+"Why?" inquired Major Greyson, in dismay.
+
+"To escape being forced into a dishonored grave! Herbert, that man has
+sworn my ruin, and he will accomplish it!" said Traverse, solemnly.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, explain yourself!" said Herbert.
+
+"I will. Listen! I will tell you the history of the last three days,"
+said Traverse; but before he could add another word the sentry that was
+to relieve his guard approached and said:
+
+"Captain Zuten orders you to come to his tent instantly."
+
+With a glance of significance, Traverse bowed to Herbert and walked
+off, while the sentinel took his place.
+
+Herbert saw no more of Traverse that day. At night he went to inquire
+for him, but learned that he had been sent with a reconnoitering party
+to the Molina-del-Rey.
+
+The next day, on seeking Traverse, he understood that the young private
+had been despatched on a foraging expedition. That night, upon again
+inquiring for him, he was told that he had been sent in attendance upon
+the officers who had borne secret despatches to General Quitman, at his
+quarters on the Acapulco road.
+
+"Traverse is right. They mean to ruin him. I see how it is, exactly.
+When I saw Traverse on guard, two days ago, he looked like a man
+exhausted and crazed for want of sleep, and since that time he has been
+night and day engaged in harassing duty. That demon, Le Noir, with
+Zuten to help him, has determined to keep Traverse from sleep, until
+nature is thoroughly exhausted, and then set him upon guard, that he
+may be found sleeping on his post. That was what the boy meant when he
+talked of the cloud that was hanging over him, and of being forced into
+a dishonored grave, and when he hoped, poor fellow, to fall in the
+approaching assault upon the Molina-del-Rey! I see it all now. They
+have decided upon the destruction of Traverse. He can do nothing, A
+soldier's whole duty is comprised in one word--obedience, even if, as
+in this instance, he is ordered to commit suicide. Let them hatch their
+diabolical plots. We will see if the Lord does not still reign, and the
+devil is not a fool. It shall go hard, but that they are 'hoist with
+their own petard!'" said Herbert, indignantly.
+
+Early the next morning he went to the tent of Captain Zuten and
+requested to see Private Traverse Rocke, in whom, he said, he felt a
+warm interest.
+
+The answer of Colonel Le Noir's tool confirmed Herbert's worse
+suspicions.
+
+Touching his cap with an air of exaggerated deference, he said:
+
+"As you think so much of the young fellow, Major, I am very sorry to
+inform you, sir, that he is under arrest."
+
+"Upon what charge?" inquired Herbert, calmly, concealing the suspicion
+and indignation of his bosom.
+
+"Upon a rather bad one, Major--sleeping on his post," replied the
+officer, masking his exultation with a show of respect.
+
+"Rather bad! The penalty is death," said Herbert, dryly.
+
+"Yes, sir--martial law is rather severe."
+
+"Who charges him?" asked Herbert, curtly.
+
+"The Colonel of our regiment, sir," replied the man, scarcely able to
+conceal his triumph.
+
+"An accusation from a high quarter. Is his charge supported by other
+testimony?"
+
+"Beg pardon, Major, but is that necessary?"
+
+"You have answered my question by asking another one, sir. I will
+trouble you for a direct reply," said Herbert with dignity.
+
+"Then, Major, I must reply--yes."
+
+"What testimony? I would know the circumstances?"
+
+"Well, sir, I will tell you about it," said the officer, with
+ill-concealed triumph. "Private Traverse Rocke had the early morning
+watch----"
+
+"After his return from the night ride to Acapulco?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Well, Colonel Le Noir and myself in going our rounds this
+morning, just before sunrise, came full upon the young fellow, fast
+asleep on his post. In fact, sir, it required a hearty shake to awaken
+him."
+
+"After ninety-six hours' loss of sleep, I should not wonder."
+
+"I know nothing about that, sir. I only know that Colonel Le Noir and
+myself found him fast asleep on his post. He was immediately arrested."
+
+"Where is he now?" inquired Herbert.
+
+"In one of the Colonel's extra tents, under guard," replied the
+officer.
+
+Herbert immediately went to the tent in question, where he found two
+sentinels, with loaded muskets, on duty before the door. They grounded
+arms on the approach of their superior officer.
+
+"Is Private Traverse Rocke confined within there?" he inquired.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I must pass in to see him."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but our orders are strict, not even to admit
+an officer, without a written order from our Colonel, said the
+sentinel.
+
+"Where is the Colonel?"
+
+"In his tent, sir."
+
+Herbert immediately went on to the fine marquee occupied by Colonel Le
+Noir.
+
+The sentinel on duty there at once admitted him, and he passed on into
+the presence of the Colonel.
+
+He saluted his superior officer with cold military etiquette, and said:
+
+"I have come, sir, to ask of you an order to see Private Traverse
+Rocke, confined under the charge of sleeping on his post."
+
+"I regret to say, Major Greyson, that it cannot be done," replied Le
+Noir, with ironical politeness.
+
+"Will you have the kindness to inform me, sir, upon what pretext my
+reasonable request is refused?" asked Herbert, coldly.
+
+"I deem it quite unnecessary to do so, sir," answered the Colonel,
+haughtily.
+
+"Then I have no more to do here," replied Herbert, leaving the tent.
+
+He immediately threw himself into his saddle and rode off to the
+Archiepiscopal palace of Tacubaya, where the General-in-Chief had fixed
+his headquarters.
+
+Here he had to wait some little time before he was admitted to the
+presence of the gallant commander, who received him with all the
+stately courtesy for which that renowned officer is distinguished.
+
+Herbert mentioned the business that had brought him to the General's
+presence, the request of a written order to see a prisoner in strict
+confinement for sleeping on his post.
+
+The commander whose kind heart was interested in the welfare of all his
+soldiers, made some inquiries into the affair, of which Herbert
+proceeded to give him a short history, without, however, venturing, as
+yet, directly to charge the Captain or the Colonel with intentional
+foul play; indeed to have attempted to criminate the superior officers
+of the accused man would then have been most unwise, useless and
+hurtful.
+
+The General immediately wrote the desired order and passed it to the
+young officer.
+
+Herbert bowed and was about to retire from the room, when he was called
+back by the General, who placed a packet of letters in his hand, saying
+that they had arrived among his despatches, and were for the prisoner,
+to whom Major Greyson might as well take them at once.
+
+Herbert received them with avidity, and on his way back to the
+Colonel's tent he examined their superscription.
+
+There were three letters--all directed to Traverse Rocke. On two of
+them he recognized the familiar handwriting of Marah Rocke, on the
+other he saw the delicate Italian style of a young lady's hand, which
+he readily believed to be that of Clara.
+
+In the midst of his anxiety on his friend's account he rejoiced to have
+this one little ray of comfort to carry him. He knew that many months
+had elapsed since the young soldier had heard from his friends at
+home--in fact, Traverse never received a letter unless it happened to
+come under cover to Herbert Greyson. And well they both knew the
+reason.
+
+"How very fortunate," said Herbert, as he rode on, "that I happened to
+be at the General's quarters to receive these letters just when I did;
+for if they had been sent to Colonel Le Noir's quarters or to Captain
+Z.'s, poor Traverse would never have heard of them. However, I shall
+not distract Traverse's attention by showing him these letters until he
+has told me the full history of his arrest, for I wish him to give me a
+cool account of the whole thing, so that I may know if I can possibly
+serve him. Ah, it is very unlikely that any power of mine will be able
+to save him if indeed, and in truth, he did sleep upon his post,"
+ruminated Herbert, as he rode up to the tent where the prisoner was
+confined.
+
+Another pair of sentinels were on duty in place of those who had
+refused him admittance.
+
+He alighted from his horse, was challenged, showed his order, and
+passed into the tent.
+
+There a sight met him that caused the tears to rush to his eyes--for
+the bravest is always the tenderest heart.
+
+Thrown down on the mat at the back of the tent lay Traverse Rocke,
+pale, haggard and sunken in the deep, deep sleep of utter exhaustion.
+Even in that state of perfect abandonment, prostration and
+insensibility, the expression of great mental anguish remained upon his
+deathly countenance; a mortal pallor overspread his face; his thick,
+black curls, matted with perspiration, clung to his hollow temples and
+cheeks; great drops of sweat beaded upon his corrugated brow; a quiver
+convulsed his mouth and chin; every circumstance betrayed how severely,
+even in that swoon-like state, he suffered.
+
+Herbert drew a camp-stool and sat down beside his mat, resolving not to
+break that greatly needed rest, but to wait patiently until the sleeper
+should awake.
+
+Again, I say that I know nothing about mesmerism, but I have seen
+strange effects produced quite unconsciously by the presence of one
+person upon another. And in a few minutes after Herbert took his seat
+beside Traverse, it was noticeable that the face of the sleeper lost
+its look of pain, and his rest grew deep and calm.
+
+Herbert sat watching that pale, calm, intellectual face, thanking
+heaven that his mother, in her distant home, knew nothing of her boy's
+deadly peril and praying heaven that its justice might be vindicated in
+the deliverance of this victim from the snares of those who sought his
+life.
+
+For more than an hour longer Traverse slept the deep sleep of
+exhaustion, and then calmly awoke. On seeing Herbert sitting beside
+him, he smiled sadly, saying:
+
+"You here, Herbert? How kind of you to come. Well, Herbert, you see
+they have succeeded, as I knew they would. That was what I wished to
+tell you about when I was abruptly ordered away. I do believe it was
+done on purpose to prevent my telling you. I really think I have been
+surrounded by spies to report and distort every word and look and
+gesture. If our company had only watched the enemy with half the
+vigilance with which they watched me, that party of emigrants would not
+have been cut off on the plains."
+
+"Traverse," said Herbert, solemnly taking the hand of his friend, "were
+you caught sleeping on your post?"
+
+"Ah, sleeping like death, Herbert."
+
+Herbert dropped the hand of his friend, covered his face with his own,
+and groaned aloud, "He could not help it!"
+
+"I told you that they had resolved upon my death, Herbert. I told you
+that I should be pushed into a shameful grave!"
+
+"Oh, no, no, the Lord forbid! But tell me all about it, Traverse, that
+I may understand and know how to proceed," said Herbert, in a broken
+voice.
+
+"Well, I need not tell you how I have been insulted, oppressed and
+persecuted by those two men, for you know that already."
+
+"Yes, yes!"
+
+"It really soon became apparent to me that they were resolved, if
+possible, to exasperate me to desert, to retort, or to commit some
+other fatal act of insubordination or violence. Yet, for the sake of my
+dear mother and of Clara, I did violence only to my own natural
+manhood, and bore it all with the servility of a slave."
+
+"With the submission of a saint, dear Traverse; and in doing so you
+followed the divine precept and example of Our Saviour, who, when
+accused, railed upon and buffeted, 'opened not his mouth.' And in His
+forbearance, dear Traverse, there was as much of God-like dignity as
+there was of saintly patience. Great self-respect is as often
+manifested in forbearance as in resentment," said Herbert, soothingly.
+
+"But you see it availed me nothing. Here I am, under a charge to which
+I plead guilty, and the penalty of which is--death!" replied Traverse,
+in despair.
+
+"Tell me how it was, Traverse. Your persecutions and your patience I
+knew before, but what are the circumstances that led to your present
+position? That your misfortune is the result of a concerted plan on the
+part of Le Noir and his tool, I partly see, but I wish you to put me in
+possession of all the facts, that I may see in what manner I may be
+able to assist you."
+
+"Ah, Herbert, I thank you, most faithful of friends, but I doubt
+whether you can assist me in any other manner than in being kind to my
+poor mother and my dear Clara when I am gone--for ah, old playmate, the
+act can be too surely proved upon me, and the penalty is certain--and
+it is death!" said the poor boy, deeply sighing.
+
+Herbert groaned, and said:
+
+"But tell me, at least, the history of the four days preceding your
+arrest."
+
+"I will. Let me see--this is Friday. Well, until this morning's fatal
+sleep, I had not slept since Sunday night. Monday was passed in the
+usual routine of military duty. Monday evening I was sent on a
+reconnoitering expedition to the old castellated Spanish fort of the
+Casa de Mata, that occupied the whole night. On Tuesday morning I was
+selected to attend the messenger who went with the flag of truce into
+the city to carry our General's letter of expostulation to Santa Anna,
+which employed the whole day. On Tuesday night, without having had an
+hour's rest in the interval, I was put on guard. Wednesday morning I
+was sent with a party to escort an emigrant caravan across the marsh to
+the village of Churubusco. Wednesday afternoon you saw me on guard and
+I told you that I had not slept one hour for three days and nights."
+
+"Yes, you looked ill enough to be ordered on the sick list."
+
+"Yet, listen. Thoroughly exhausted as I was, on Wednesday night I was
+ordered to join a party to go on a secret reconnoitering expedition to
+the Molina-del-Rey. On Thursday morning I was sent out with another
+party on a foraging tour. On Thursday night I was sent in attendance
+upon the officer who carried despatches to General Quitman. On Friday
+morning I was set on guard between the hours of four and eight!"
+
+"Oh, heaven, what an infamous abuse of military authority!" exclaimed
+Herbert, indignantly.
+
+"Herbert, in my life I have sometimes suffered with hunger, cold and
+pain, and have some idea of what starving, freezing and torture may be,
+but among all the ills to which flesh is heir, I doubt if there is one
+so trying to the nerves and brain of man as enforced and long-continued
+vigilance, when all his failing nature sinks for want of sleep.
+Insanity and death must soon be the result."
+
+"Humph! Go on. Tell me about the manner of their finding you," said
+Herbert, scarcely able to repress his indignation.
+
+"Well, when after--let me see--eighty-four--ninety--ninety-six hours of
+incessant watching, riding and walking, I was set on guard to keep the
+morning watch between four o'clock and eight, 'my whole head was sick
+and my whole heart faint'; my frame was sinking; my soul could scarcely
+hold my body upright. In addition to this physical suffering was the
+mental anguish of feeling that these men had resolved upon my death,
+and thinking of my dear mother and Clara, whose hearts would be broken
+by my fall. Oh! the thought of them at this moment quite unmans me. I
+must not reflect. Well, I endeavored with all the faculties of my mind
+and body to keep awake. I kept steadily pacing to and fro, though I
+could scarcely drag one limb after the other, or even stand upright;
+sleep would arrest me while in motion, and I would drop my musket and
+wake up in a panic, with the impression of some awful, overhanging ruin
+appalling my soul. Herbert, will you think me a miserably weak wretch
+if I tell you that that night was a night of mental and physical
+horrors? Brain and nerves seemed in a state of disorganization; thought
+and emotion were chaos; the relations of soul and body broken up. I had
+but one strong, clear idea, namely, that I must keep awake at all
+costs, or bring shameful death upon myself and disgrace upon my family.
+And even in the very midst of thinking this I would fall asleep."
+
+"No power within yourself could have prevented it; indeed, you had to
+drop into sleep or death!"
+
+"I pinched myself, I cut my flesh, I burned my skin, but all in vain.
+Nothing could withstand the overwhelming power of sleep that finally
+conquered me, about five o'clock this morning. Then, in the midst of a
+delightful dream of mother and Clara and home, I was roused up by a
+rude shake, and awoke to find my musket fallen from my hands, and my
+Captain and Colonel standing over me. It was several minutes before I
+could travel back from the pleasant land of sleep and dreams and
+realize my real position. When I did I had nothing to say. The
+inevitable ruin I felt had come, and crushed me into a sort of dumb
+despair. Nor did my superior officers reproach me--their revenge was
+too perfect. The captain called a sergeant to take my gun, and I was
+marched off to my present prison. And, Herbert, no sooner was I left
+alone here than sleep overcame me again, like a strong man, and despite
+all the gloom and terror of my situation, despite all my thoughts of
+home and mother and Clara, I slept like a tired child. But this
+awakening. Oh! this awakening, Herbert!"
+
+"Be of good courage. Let us hope that heaven will enable us to confound
+the plots of the evil, and save you!"
+
+"Ah, Herbert, that will be impossible. The duty of a soldier is clear
+and stern; his punishment, if he fails in it, swift and sure. At the
+word of command he must march into the very jaws of death, as is right.
+He must die or madden for the want of rest, rather than fall asleep on
+his post, for if he does, his punishment is certain and shameful death.
+Oh, my mother! Oh, Clara! Would heaven I had fallen at Vera Cruz or
+Churubusco, rather than live to bring this dreadful sorrow upon you,"
+cried Traverse, covering his convulsed face with his hands.
+
+"Cheer up, cheer up, old comrade. All is not lost that is endangered,
+and we shall save you yet!"
+
+"Herbert, you know it is impossible."
+
+"No, I do not know any such thing!"
+
+"You know that I shall be tried to-day and shot to-morrow! Oh, Herbert,
+never let my dear ones at home know how I shall die. Tell them that I
+fell before Chepultepec--which will be literally true, you know. Oh, my
+mother! Oh, my dear Clara, shall I never see you more? Never hear your
+sweet voices calling me? Never feel the kind clasp of your hands again?
+Is this the end of a life of aspiration and endeavor? Is this the
+comfort and happiness I was to bring you?--early bereavement, dishonored
+names and broken hearts?"
+
+"I tell you, no! You shall be saved! I say it!"
+
+"Ah, it is impossible."
+
+"No, it is only very difficult--so very difficult that I shall be sure
+to accomplish it!"
+
+"What a paradox!"
+
+"It is a truth. Things difficult--almost to impossibility--can always
+be accomplished. Write that upon your tablets, for it is a valuable
+truth. And now cheer up, for I bring you letters from Clara and your
+mother."
+
+"Letters! from Clara! and mother! Oh, give them to me!" exclaimed the
+young man eagerly.
+
+Herbert handed them, and Traverse eagerly broke the seals, one after
+another, and devoured the contents.
+
+"They are well! They are well and happy! Oh, thank God they are so. Oh,
+Herbert, never let them know how I shall die! If they think I fell
+honorably in battle, they will get over it in time, but if they know I
+died a convict's death it will break their hearts. Oh, Herbert, my dear
+friend, by all our boyhood's love, never let my poor mother and dear
+Clara know the manner of my death!" cried Traverse, in an imploring
+voice.
+
+Before he could say another word or Herbert could answer, an orderly
+sergeant entered and put into Major Greyson's hands a paper that proved
+to be a summons for him to attend immediately at headquarters to serve
+upon a court-martial, to try Private Traverse Rocke upon the charge of
+sleeping on his post.
+
+"This is done on purpose to prevent me becoming a witness for the
+defense!" whispered Herbert to his friend, "but take courage. We will
+see yet whether you shall succeed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE COURT-MARTIAL.
+
+              I wish I could
+    Meet all accusers with as good excuse,
+    As well as I am certain I can clear
+              Myself of this.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Pursuant with the general orders issued from headquarters, the
+court-martial, consisting of thirteen officers, convened at Tacubaya,
+for the trial of Traverse Rocke, private in the ---- Regiment of
+Infantry, accused of sleeping on his post.
+
+It was a sultry morning, early in September, and by seven o'clock the
+drum was heard beating before the Archiepiscopal palace, where it was
+understood the trial, involving life or death, would come off.
+
+The two sentinels on guard before the doors and a few officers off
+duty, loitering about the verandas, were the only persons visible near
+the well-ordered premises, until the members of the court-martial, with
+the prosecutors and witnesses, began to assemble and pass in.
+
+Within a lofty apartment of the building, which was probably at one
+time the great dining-hall of the priests, were collected some twenty
+persons, comprising the court-martial and its attendants.
+
+An extension table covered with green cloth occupied the middle of the
+long room.
+
+At the head of this table sat General W., the president of the court.
+On his right and left, at the sides of the table, were arranged the
+other members according to their rank.
+
+At a smaller table, near the right hand of the President, stood the
+Judge Advocate or prosecutor on behalf of the United States.
+
+At the door stood a sentinel on guard, and near him two or three
+orderly sergeants in attendance upon the officers.
+
+The Judge Advocate opened the court by calling over the names of the
+members, beginning with the President and ending with the youngest
+officer present, and recording them as they responded.
+
+This preliminary settled, orders were despatched to bring the prisoner,
+prosecutor and witnesses into court.
+
+And in a few minutes entered Colonel Le Noir, Captain Zuten, Ensign
+Allen and Sergeant Baker. They were accommodated with seats near the
+left hand of the President.
+
+Lastly, the prisoner was brought in guarded, and placed standing at the
+foot of the table.
+
+Traverse looked pale, from the severe effects of excessive fatigue and
+anxiety, but he deported himself with firmness and dignity, bowed
+respectfully to the court, and then drew his stately form up to its
+fullest height, and stood awaiting the proceedings.
+
+The Judge Advocate at the order of the President, commenced and read
+the warrant for holding the court. He then read over the names of the
+members, commencing as before, with the President, and descending
+through the gradations of rank to the youngest officer, and demanded of
+the prisoner whether he had any cause of challenge, or took any
+exception to any member present, and if so, to declare it, as was his
+privilege.
+
+Traverse lifted his noble head and keen eyes, and looked slowly around,
+in turn, upon each officer of the court-martial.
+
+They might all be said to be strangers to him, since he knew them only
+by sight--all except his old acquaintance, Herbert Greyson, who sat
+first at the left hand of the President, and who returned his look of
+scrutiny with a gaze full of encouragement.
+
+"I find no cause of challenge, and take no exception to any among the
+officers composing this court," answered Traverse, again bowing with
+such sweetness and dignity in tone and gesture that the officers, in
+surprise, looked first at the prisoner and then at each other. No one
+could doubt that the accused, in the humble garb of a private soldier,
+was nevertheless a man of education and refinement--a true gentleman,
+both in birth and breeding.
+
+As no challenge was made, the Judge Advocate proceeded to administer to
+each of the members of the court the oath prescribed in the Articles of
+War, to the intent that they should "try the matter before them,
+between the prisoner and the United States, according to the evidence,
+without fear, favor or affection."
+
+This oath was taken by each member holding up his right hand and
+repeating the words after the officer.
+
+The court then being regularly constituted, and every preliminary form
+observed, the Judge Advocate arose and directed the prisoner to listen
+to the charge brought against him, and preferred by the Colonel of his
+Regiment, Gabriel Le Noir.
+
+Traverse raised his head and fixed his eagle eyes upon the prosecutor,
+who stood beside the Judge Advocate, while the latter in an audible
+voice read the accusation, charging the prisoner with wilful neglect of
+duty, in that he, the said Traverse Rocke, on the night of the first of
+September, being placed on guard at the northwestern outpost of the
+Infantry quarters, at Tacubaya, did fall asleep upon his post, thereby
+endangering the safety of the quarters, and violating the 46th Article
+of War.
+
+To which charge the prisoner, in a firm voice, replied:
+
+"Not guilty of wilful neglect of duty, though found sleeping upon my
+post."
+
+The Judge Advocate then cautioned all witnesses to withdraw from the
+court and come only as they were called. They withdrew, and he then
+arranged some preliminaries of the examination, and called in--Captain
+Zuten, of the ---- Regiment of Infantry.
+
+This witness was a short, coarse-featured, red-haired person of Dutch
+extraction, without intellect enough to enable him to conceal the
+malignity of his nature.
+
+He testified that on Thursday, the first of September, Traverse Rocke,
+private in his company, was ordered on guard at the northwestern
+outpost of the quarters, between the hours of four and eight a.m. That
+about five o'clock on the same morning, he, Joseph Zuten, in making his
+usual rounds, and being accompanied on that occasion by Colonel Gabriel
+Le Noir, Lieutenant Adams and Ensign Baker, did surprise Private
+Traverse Rocke asleep on his post leaning against the sentry box with
+his musket at his feet.
+
+This witness was cross-examined by the Judge Advocate, who, it is
+known, combines in his own person the office of prosecutor on the part
+of the United States and counsel for the prisoner, or rather, if he be
+honest, he acts as impartial inquirer and arbiter between the two.
+
+As no new facts were gained by the cross-examination, the Judge
+Advocate proceeded to call the next witness, Colonel Le Noir.
+
+Here, then, was a gentleman of most prepossessing exterior, as well as
+of most irreproachable reputation.
+
+In brief, his testimony corroborated that of the foregoing witness, as
+to the finding of the prisoner asleep on his post at the time and place
+specified. In honor of his high social and military standing, this
+witness was not cross-examined.
+
+The next called was Lieutenant Adams, who corroborated the evidence of
+former witnesses. The last person examined was Ensign Baker, whose
+testimony corresponded exactly to that of all who had gone before him.
+
+The Judge Advocate then briefly summed up the case on the part of the
+United States--first by reading the 46th Article of War, to wit, that:
+
+"Any sentinel who shall be found sleeping on his post, or shall leave
+it before he shall be regularly relieved, shall suffer death," etc.,
+etc., etc.
+
+And secondly, by reading the recorded evidence to the effect that:
+
+Traverse Rocke had been found by competent witnesses sleeping on his
+post.
+
+And concluded by saying:
+
+"Gentlemen, officers of the court-martial, here is the law and here is
+the fact both proven, and it remains for the court to find a verdict in
+accordance with both."
+
+The prisoner was then put upon his defence.
+
+Traverse Rocke drew himself up and said, that the truth, like the
+blessed sun, must, on its shining forth, dispel all clouds of error;
+that, trusting in the power of truth, he should briefly relate the
+history of the preceding seven days. And then he commenced and narrated
+the facts with which the reader is already acquainted.
+
+Traverse was interrupted several times in the course of his narrative
+by the President, General W., a severe martinet, who reminded him that
+an attempt to criminate his superior officers would only injure his
+cause before the court.
+
+Traverse, bowing, as in duty bound to the President at every fresh
+interruption, nevertheless proceeded straight on with his narrative to
+its conclusion.
+
+The defence being closed, the Judge Advocate arose, as was his
+privilege, to have the last word. He stated that if the prisoner had
+been oppressed or aggrieved by his superior officer, his remedy lay in
+the 35th of the Articles of War, providing that any soldier who shall
+feel himself wronged by his captain shall complain thereof to the
+Colonel of his Regiment.
+
+To this the prisoner begged to reply that he had considered the Colonel
+of his Regiment his personal enemy, and as such could have little hope
+of the issue, even if he had had opportunity afforded him, of appealing
+to that authority.
+
+The Judge Advocate expressed his belief that this complaint was
+vexatious and groundless.
+
+And here the evidence was closed, the prosecutor, prisoner and
+witnesses dismissed, and the court adjourned to meet again to
+deliberate with closed doors.
+
+It was a period of awful suspense with Traverse Rocke. The prospect
+seemed dark for him.
+
+The fact of the offense and the law affixing the penalty of death to
+that offence was established, and as the Judge Advocate truly said,
+nothing remained but for the court to find their verdict in accordance
+to both.
+
+Extenuating circumstances there were certainly; but extenuating
+circumstances were seldom admitted in courts-martial, the law and
+practice of which were severe to the extent of cruelty.
+
+Another circumstance against him was the fact that it did not require
+an unanimous vote to render a legal verdict, but that if a majority of
+two-thirds should vote for conviction, the fate of the prisoner would
+be sealed. Traverse had but one friend in the court, and what could his
+single voice do against so many? Apparently nothing: yet, as the
+prisoner on leaving the court-room, raised his eyes to that friend,
+Herbert Greyson returned the look with a glance of more than
+encouragement--of triumph.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE VERDICT.
+
+    We must not make a scare-crow of the law,
+    Setting it up to frighten birds of prey;
+    And let it keep one shape till custom makes it,
+    Their perch and not their terror.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+The members of a court-martial sit in the double capacity of jurors and
+judges; as jurors they find the facts, and as judges they award the
+punishment. Yet their session with closed doors was without the solemn
+formality that the uninitiated might have supposed to attend a grave
+deliberation upon a matter of guilt or innocence involving a question
+of life or death.
+
+No sooner were the doors closed that shut out the "vulgar" crowd, than
+the "high and mighty" officials immediately fell into easy attitudes,
+and disengaged conversation upon the weather, the climate, yesterday's
+dinner at General Cushion's quarters, the claret, the cigars and the
+Mexican signoritas.
+
+They were presently recalled from this easy chat by the President, a
+severe disciplinarian, who reminded them rather sharply of the business
+upon which they had convened.
+
+The officers immediately wheeled themselves around in the chairs,
+facing the table, and fell into order.
+
+The Judge Advocate seated himself at his detached stand, opened his
+book, called the attention of the court, and commenced and read over
+the whole record of the evidence and the proceedings up to this time.
+
+The President then said:
+
+"For my own part, gentlemen, I think this quite a simple matter,
+requiring but little deliberation. Here is the fact of the offence
+proved, and here is the law upon that offence clearly defined. Nothing
+seems to remain for us to do but to bring in a verdict in accordance
+with the law and the fact."
+
+Several of the older officers and sterner disciplinarians agreed with
+the President, who now said:
+
+"I move that the vote be immediately taken upon this question."
+
+To this, also, the elder officers assented. And the Judge Advocate was
+preparing to take the ballot, when one of the younger members arose and
+said:
+
+"Mr. President and gentlemen, there are mitigating circumstances
+attending this offence, which, in my opinion, should be duly weighed
+before making up our ballot."
+
+"Lieutenant Lovel, when your hair has grown white in the service of
+your country, as mine has, and when your skin is mottled with the scars
+of a score of well-fought fields, you will find your soft theories
+corrected by hard experience, and you will know that in the case of a
+sentinel sleeping upon his post there can be no mitigating
+circumstances; that nothing can palliate such flagrant and dangerous
+neglect, involving the safety of the whole army; a crime that martial
+law and custom have very necessarily made punishable by death," said
+the President, sternly.
+
+The young lieutenant sat down abashed, under the impression that he had
+betrayed himself into some act of gross impropriety. This was his first
+appearance in the character of juror and judge; he was literally
+unaccustomed to public speaking, and did not hazard a reply.
+
+"Has any other gentleman any views to advance before we proceed to a
+general ballot?" inquired the President.
+
+Several of the officers whispered together, and then some one replied
+that there seemed to be no reason why the vote should not be
+immediately taken.
+
+Herbert Greyson remained perfectly silent. Why he did not speak then,
+in reply to this adjuration--why, indeed, he had not spoken before, in
+support of Lieutenant Lovel's views in favor of his friend, I do not
+know to this day, though I mean to ask him the first time I have the
+opportunity. Perhaps he wished to "draw the enemy's fire," perhaps he
+was inclined to dramatic effects; but whatever might have been the
+motive, he continued silent, offering no obstacle to the immediate
+taking of the vote.
+
+The Judge Advocate then called the court to order for the taking of the
+ballot, and proceeded to question the members in turn, commencing with
+the youngest.
+
+"How say you, Lieutenant Lovel, is the prisoner on trial guilty or not
+guilty of the offence laid to his charge?"
+
+"Guilty," responded the young officer, as his eyes filled with tears of
+pity for the other young life against which he had felt obliged to
+record this vote.
+
+"If that is the opinion of one who seems friendly to him, what will be
+the votes of the other stern judges?" said Herbert Greyson to himself,
+in dismay.
+
+"What say you, Lieutenant Adams--is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+said the Judge Advocate, proceeding with the ballot.
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Lieutenant Cragin?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Lieutenant Evans?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Lieutenant Goffe?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Lieutenant Hesse?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Captain Kingsley?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Captain McConkey?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Captain Lucas?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Captain O'Donnelly?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Captain Rosencrantz?"
+
+"Guilty!"
+
+"Major Greyson?"
+
+"NOT GUILTY!"
+
+Every officer sprang to his feet and gazed in astonishment,
+consternation and indignant inquiry upon the renderer of this
+unprecedented vote.
+
+The President was the first to speak, breaking out with:
+
+"Sir! Major Greyson! your vote, sir, in direct defiance of the fact and
+the law upon it, is unprecedented, sir, in the whole history of
+court-martial!"
+
+"I record it as uttered, nevertheless," replied Herbert.
+
+"And your oath, sir! What becomes of your oath as a judge of this
+court?"
+
+"I regard my oath in my vote!"
+
+"What, sir?" inquired Captain McConkey, "do you mean to say that you
+have rendered that vote in accordance with the facts elicited in
+evidence, as by your oath you were bound to do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How, sir, do you mean to say that the prisoner did not sleep upon his
+post?"
+
+"Certainly I do not; on the contrary, I grant that he did sleep upon
+his post, and yet I maintain that in doing so he was not guilty!"
+
+"Major Greyson plays with us," said the President.
+
+"By no means, sir! I never was in more solemn earnest than at present!
+Your honor, the President and gentlemen judges of the court, as I am
+not counsel for the prisoner, nor civil officer, nor lawyer, of whose
+interference courts-martial are proverbially jealous, I beg you will
+permit me to say a few words in support, or at least, I will say, in
+explanation of the vote which you have characterized as an opinion in
+opposition to fact and law, and unprecedented in the whole history of
+courts-martial."
+
+"Yes, it is! it is!" said General W., shifting uneasily in his seat.
+
+"You heard the defense of the prisoner," continued Herbert; "you heard
+the narrative of his wrongs and sufferings, to the truth of which his
+every aspect bore testimony. I will not here express a judgment as to
+the motives that prompted his superior officers, I will merely advert
+to the facts themselves, in order to prove that the prisoner, under the
+circumstances, could not, with his human power, have done otherwise
+than he did."
+
+"Sir, if the prisoner considered himself wronged by his captain, which
+is very doubtful, he could have appealed to the Colonel of his
+Regiment!"
+
+"Sir, the Articles of War accord him that privilege. But is it ever
+taken advantage of? Is there a case on record where a private soldier
+ventures to make a dangerous enemy of his immediate superior by
+complaining of his Captain to his Colonel? Nor in this case would it
+have been of the least use, inasmuch as this soldier had well-founded
+reasons for believing the Colonel of his regiment his personal enemy,
+and the Captain as the instrument of this enmity."
+
+"And you, Major Greyson, do you coincide in the opinion of the
+prisoner? Do you think that there could have been anything in common
+between the Colonel of the regiment and the poor private in the ranks,
+to explain such an equalizing sentiment as enmity?" inquired Captain
+O'Donnelly.
+
+"I answer distinctly, yes, sir! In the first place, this poor private
+is a young gentleman of birth and education, the heir of one of the
+most important estates in Virginia, and the betrothed of one of the
+most lovely girls in the world. In both these capacities he has stood
+in the way of Colonel Le Noir, standing between him and the estate on
+the one hand, and between him and the young lady on the other. He has
+disappointed Le Noir both in love and ambition. And he has thereby made
+an enemy of the man who has, besides, the nearest interest in his
+destruction. Gentlemen, what I say now in the absence of Colonel Le
+Noir, I am prepared to repeat in his presence, and maintain at the
+proper time and place."
+
+"But how came this young gentleman of birth and expectations to be
+found in the ranks?" inquired Captain Rosencrantz.
+
+"How came we to have headstrong sons of wealthy parents, fast young men
+of fortune, and runaway students from the universities and colleges of
+the United States in our ranks? In a burst of boyish impatience the
+youth enlisted. Destiny gave him as the Colonel of his regiment his
+mortal enemy. Colonel Le Noir found in Captain Zuten a ready instrument
+for his malignity. And between them both they have done all that could
+possibly be effected to defeat the good fortune and insure the
+destruction of Traverse Rocke. And I repeat, gentlemen, that what I
+feel constrained to affirm here in the absence of those officers, I
+shall assuredly reassert and maintain in their presence, upon the
+proper occasion. In fact I shall bring formal charges against Colonel
+Le Noir and Captain Zuten, of conduct unworthy of officers and
+gentlemen!"
+
+"But it seems to me that this is not directly to the point at issue,"
+said Captain Kingsley.
+
+"On the contrary, sir, it is the point, the whole point, and only
+point, as you shall presently see by attending to the facts that I
+shall recall to your memory. You and all present must, then, see that
+there was a deliberate purpose to effect the ruin of this young man. He
+is accused of having been found sleeping on his post, the penalty of
+which, in time of war, is death. Now listen to the history of the days
+that preceded his fault, and tell me if human nature could have
+withstood the trial?"
+
+"Sunday night was the last of repose to the prisoner until Friday
+morning, when he was found asleep on his post.
+
+"Monday night he was sent with the reconnoitering party to Casa-de-Mata.
+
+"Tuesday he was sent with the officer that carried our General's
+expostulation to Santa Anna. At night he was put on guard.
+
+"Wednesday he was sent with another party to protect a band of emigrants
+crossing the marshes. At night he was sent with still another party to
+reconnoiter Molina-del-Rey.
+
+"Thursday he was sent in attendance upon the officer that carried
+despatches to General Quitman, and did not return until after midnight,
+when, thoroughly worn out, driven indeed to the extreme degree of
+mortal endurance, he was again on a sultry, oppressive night, in a
+still, solitary place, set on guard where a few hours later he was
+found asleep upon his post--by whom? The Colonel of his regiment and
+the Captain of his company, who seemed bent upon his ruin--as I hold
+myself bound to establish before another court-martial.
+
+"This result had been intended from the first! If five nights' loss of
+sleep would not have effected this, fifteen probably would; if fifteen
+would not, thirty would; or if thirty wouldn't sixty would!--and all
+this Captain Zuten had the power to enforce until his doomed victim
+should fall into the hands of the provost-marshal, and into the arms of
+death!
+
+"And now, gentlemen, in view of all these circumstances, I ask you--was
+Traverse Rocke guilty of wilful neglect of duty in dropping asleep on
+his post? And I move for a reconsideration, and a new ballot!"
+
+"Such a thing is without precedent, sir! These mitigating circumstances
+may be brought to bear on the Commander-in-Chief, and may be embodied
+in a recommendation to mercy! They should have no weight in the finding
+of the verdict," said the President, "which should be in accordance
+with the fact and the law."
+
+"And with justice and humanity! to find a verdict against this young
+man would be to place an unmerited brand upon his spotless name, that
+no after clemency of the Executive could wipe out! Gentlemen, will you
+do this! No! I am sure that you will not! And again I move for a new
+ballot!"
+
+"I second the motion!" said Lieutenant Lovel, rising quite encouraged
+to believe in his own first instincts, which had been so favorable.
+
+"Gentlemen," said the President sternly, "this thing is without
+precedent! In all the annals of courts-martial, without precedent!"
+
+"Then, if there is no such precedent, it is quite time that such a one
+were established, so that the iron car of literal law should not always
+roll over and crush justice! Gentlemen, shall we have a new ballot?"
+
+"Yes! yes! yes!" were the answers.
+
+"It is irregular! It is illegal! It is unprecedented! A new ballot?
+Never heard of such a thing in forty years of military life! Lord bless
+my soul, what is the service coming to!"
+
+"A new ballot! a new ballot! a new ballot!" was the unanimous cry.
+
+The President groaned in spirit, and recorded a vow never to forgive
+Herbert Greyson for this departure from routine.
+
+The new ballot demanded by acclamation had to be held.
+
+The Judge Advocate called the court to order and began anew. The votes
+were taken as before, commencing with the young lieutenant, who now
+responded sonorously:
+
+"Not guilty!"
+
+And so it ran around the entire circle.
+
+"Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" were the hearty responses of
+the court.
+
+The acquittal was unanimous. The verdict was recorded.
+
+The doors were then thrown open to the public, and the prisoner called
+in and publicly discharged from custody.
+
+The court then adjourned.
+
+Traverse Rocke threw himself upon the bosom of his friend, exclaiming
+in a broken voice:
+
+"I cannot sufficiently thank you! My dear mother and Clara will do
+that!"
+
+"Nonsense!" said Herbert laughing; "didn't I tell you that the Lord
+reigns, and the devil is a fool? This is only the beginning of
+victories!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE END OF THE WAR.
+
+    Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths,
+    Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
+    Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
+    Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
+    Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front,
+    And now instead of mounting barbed steeds,
+    To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
+    He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber,
+    To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Ten days later Molina-del-Rey, Casa-de-Mata, and Chapultepec had
+fallen! The United States forces occupied the city of Mexico, General
+Scott was in the Grand Plaza, and the American standard waved above the
+capital of the Montezumas!
+
+Let those who have a taste for swords and muskets, drums and trumpets,
+blood and fire, describe the desperate battles and splendid victories
+that led to this final magnificent triumph!
+
+My business lies with the persons of our story, to illustrate whom I
+must pick out a few isolated instances of heroism in this glorious
+campaign.
+
+Herbert Greyson's division was a portion of the gallant Eleventh that
+charged the Mexican batteries on Molina-del-Rey. He covered his name
+with glory, and qualified himself to merit the command of the regiment,
+which he afterwards received.
+
+Traverse Rocke fought like a young Paladin. When they were marching
+into the very mouths of the cannon they were vomiting fire upon them,
+and when the young ensign of his company was struck down before him,
+Traverse Rocke took the colors from his falling hand, and crying
+"Victory!" pressed onward and upward over the dead and the dying, and
+springing upon one of the guns which continued to belch forth fire, he
+thrice waved the flag over his head and then planted it upon the
+battery. Captain Zuten fell in the subsequent assault upon Chapultepec.
+
+Colonel Le Noir entered the city of Mexico with the victorious army,
+but on the subsequent day, being engaged in a street skirmish with the
+leperos, or liberated convicts, he fell mortally wounded by a copper
+bullet, and he was now dying by inches at his quarters near the Grand
+Cathedral.
+
+It was on the evening of the 20th of September, six days from the
+triumphant entry of General Scott into the capital, that Major Greyson
+was seated at supper at his quarters, with some of his brother
+officers, when an orderly entered and handed a note to Herbert, which
+proved to be a communication from the surgeon of their regiment,
+begging him to repair without delay to the quarters of Colonel Le Noir,
+who, being in extremity, desired to see him.
+
+Major Greyson immediately excused himself to his company, and repaired
+to the quarters of the dying man.
+
+He found Colonel Le Noir stretched upon his bed in a state of extreme
+exhaustion and attended by the surgeon and chaplain of his regiment.
+
+As Herbert advanced to the side of his bed, Le Noir stretched out his
+pale hand and said:
+
+"You bear no grudge against a dying man, Greyson?"
+
+"Certainly not," said Herbert, "especially when he proposes doing the
+right thing, as I judge you do, from the fact of your sending for me."
+
+"Yes, I do; I do!" replied Le Noir, pressing the hand that Herbert's
+kindness of heart could not withhold.
+
+Le Noir then beckoned the minister to hand him two sealed packets,
+which he took and laid upon the bed before him.
+
+Then taking up the larger of the two packets, he placed it in the hands
+of Herbert Greyson, saying:
+
+"There, Greyson, I wish you to hand that to your friend, young Rocke,
+who has received his colors, I understand?"
+
+"Yes, he has now the rank of ensign."
+
+"Then give this parcel into the hands of Ensign Rocke, with the
+request, that being freely yielded up, they may not be used in any
+manner to harass the last hours of a dying man."
+
+"I promise, on the part of my noble young friend, that they shall not
+be so used," said Herbert, as he took possession of the parcel.
+
+Le Noir then took up the second packet, which was much smaller, but
+much more firmly secured, than the first, being in an envelope of
+parchment, sealed with three great seals.
+
+Le Noir held it in his hand for a moment, gazing from the surgeon to
+the chaplain, and thence down upon the mysterious packet, while spasms
+of pain convulsed his countenance. At length he spoke:
+
+"This second packet, Greyson, contains a--well, I may as well call it a
+narrative. I confide it to your care upon these conditions--that it
+shall not be opened until after my death and funeral, and that, when it
+has served its purpose of restitution, it may be, as far as possible,
+forgotten. Will you promise me this?"
+
+"On my honor, yes," responded the young man, as he received the second
+parcel.
+
+"This is all I have to say, except this--that you seemed to me, upon
+every account, the most proper person to whom I could confide this
+trust. I thank you for accepting it, and I believe that I may safely
+promise that you will find the contents of the smaller packet of great
+importance and advantage to yourself and those dear to you."
+
+Herbert bowed in silence.
+
+"That is all, good-by. I wish now to be alone with our chaplain," said
+Colonel Le Noir, extending his hand.
+
+Herbert pressed that wasted hand; silently sent up a prayer for the
+dying wrong-doer, bowed gravely and withdrew.
+
+It was almost eight o'clock, and Herbert thought that he would scarcely
+have time to find Traverse before the drum should beat to quarters.
+
+He was more fortunate than he had anticipated, for he had scarcely
+turned the Grand Cathedral when he came full upon the young ensign.
+
+"Ah! Traverse, I am very glad to meet you! I was just going to look for
+you. Come immediately to my rooms, for I have a very important
+communication to make to you. Colonel Le Noir is supposed to be dying.
+He has given me a parcel to be handed to you, which I shrewdly suspect
+to contain your intercepted correspondence for the last two years,"
+said Herbert.
+
+Traverse started and gazed upon his friend in amazement, and was about
+to express his astonishment, when Herbert, seeing others approach, drew
+the arm of his friend within his own, and they hurried silently on
+toward Major Greyson's quarters.
+
+They had scarcely got in and closed the door and stricken a light
+before Traverse exclaimed impatiently:
+
+"Give it me!" and almost snatched the parcel from Herbert's hands.
+
+"Whist! don't be impatient! I dare say it is all stale news!" said
+Herbert, as he yielded up the prize.
+
+They sat down together on each side of a little stand supporting a
+light.
+
+Herbert watched with sympathetic interest while Traverse tore open the
+envelope and examined its contents.
+
+They were, as Herbert had anticipated, letters from the mother and the
+betrothed of Traverse--letters that had arrived and been intercepted,
+from time to time, for the preceding two years.
+
+There were blanks, also, directed in a hand strange to Traverse, but
+familiar to Herbert as that of Old Hurricane, and those blanks inclosed
+drafts upon a New Orleans bank, payable to the order of Traverse Rocke.
+
+Traverse pushed all these latter aside with scarcely a glance and not a
+word of inquiry, and began eagerly to examine the long-desired,
+long-withheld letters from the dear ones at home.
+
+His cheek flamed to see that every seal was broken, and the fresh aroma
+of every heart-breathed word inhaled by others, before they reached
+himself.
+
+"Look here, Herbert! look here! Is not this insufferable? Every fond
+word of my mother, every delicate and sacred expression of--of regard
+from Clara, all read by the profane eyes of that man!"
+
+"That man is on his deathbed, Traverse, and you must forgive him! He
+has restored your letters."
+
+"Yes, after their sacred privacy has been profaned! Oh!"
+
+Traverse handed his mother's letters over to Herbert, that his foster
+brother might read them, but Clara's "sacred epistles" were kept to
+himself.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" inquired Traverse, looking up from his
+page, and detecting Herbert with a smile upon his face.
+
+"I am thinking that you are not as generous as you were some few years
+since, when you would have given me Clara herself; for now you will not
+even let me have a glimpse of her letters!"
+
+"Have they not been already sufficiently published?" said Traverse,
+with an almost girlish smile and blush.
+
+When those cherished letters were all read and put away, Traverse
+stooped down and "fished up" from amidst envelopes, strings and waste
+paper another set of letters which proved to be the blanks inclosing
+the checks, of various dates, which Herbert recognized as coming
+anonymously from Old Hurricane.
+
+"What in the world is the meaning of all this, Herbert? Have I a nabob
+uncle turned up anywhere, do you think? Look here!--a hundred dollars--and
+a fifty, and another--all drafts upon the Planters' Bank, New Orleans,
+drawn in my favor and signed by Largent & Dor, bankers!--I, that
+haven't had five dollars at a time to call my own for the last two
+years! Here, Herbert, give me a good, sharp pinch to wake me up! I may
+be sleeping on my post again?" said Traverse in perplexity.
+
+"You are not sleeping, Traverse!"
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Perfectly," replied Herbert, laughing.
+
+"Well, then, do you think that crack upon the crown of my head that I
+got upon Chapultepec has not injured my intellect?"
+
+"Not in the slightest degree!" said Herbert, still laughing at his
+friend's perplexity.
+
+"Then I am the hero of a fairy tale, that is all--a fairy tale in which
+waste paper is changed into bank notes and private soldiers prince
+palatines! Look here!" cried Traverse, desperately, thrusting the bank
+checks under the nose of his friend, "do you see those things and know
+what they are, and will you tell me that everything in this castle
+don't go by enchantment?"
+
+"Yes, I see what they are, and it seems to me perfectly natural that
+you should have them!"
+
+"Humph!" said Traverse, looking at Herbert with an expression that
+seemed to say that he thought the wits of his friend deranged.
+
+"Traverse," said Major Greyson, "did it never occur to you that you
+must have other relatives in the world besides your mother? Well, I
+suspect that those checks were sent by some relative of yours or your
+mother's, who just begins to remember that he has been neglecting you."
+
+"Herbert, do you know this?" inquired Traverse, anxiously.
+
+"No, I do not know it; I only suspect this to be the case," said
+Herbert, evasively. "But what is that which you are forgetting?"
+
+"Oh! this--yes, I had forgotten it. Let us see what it is!" said
+Traverse, examining a paper that had rested unobserved upon the stand.
+
+"This is an order for my discharge, signed by the Secretary of War, and
+dated--ha--ha--ha--two years ago! Here I have been serving two years
+illegally, and if I had been convicted of neglect of duty in sleeping
+on my post, I should have been shot unlawfully, as that man, when he
+prosecuted me, knew perfectly well!" exclaimed Traverse.
+
+"That man, as I said before, lies upon his deathbed! Remember, nothing
+against him! But that order for a discharge! now that you are in the
+way of promotion and the war is over, will you take advantage of it?"
+
+"Decidedly, yes! for though I am said to have acquitted myself passably
+well at Chapultepec----"
+
+"Gloriously, Traverse! You won your colors gloriously!"
+
+"Yet for all that my true mission is not to break men's bones, but to
+set them when broken. Not to take men's lives, but to save them when
+endangered! So to-morrow morning, please Providence, I shall present
+this order to General Butler and apply for my discharge."
+
+"And you will set out immediately for home?"
+
+The face of Traverse suddenly changed.
+
+"I should like to do so! Oh, how I should like to see my dear mother
+and Clara, if only for a day! but I must not indulge the longing of my
+heart. I must not go home until I can do so with honor!"
+
+"And can you not do so now? You, who triumphed over all your personal
+enemies and who won your colors at Chapultepec?"
+
+"No, for all this was in my legitimate profession! Nor will I present
+myself at home until, by the blessing of the Lord, I have done what I
+set out to do, and established myself in a good practice. And so, by
+the help of heaven, I hope within one week to be on my way to New
+Orleans to try my fortune in that city."
+
+"To New Orleans! And a new malignant fever of some horrible, unknown
+type, raging there!" exclaimed Herbert.
+
+"So much the more need of a physician! Herbert, I am not the least
+uneasy on the subject of infection! I have a theory for its
+annihilation."
+
+"I never saw a clever young professional man without a theory!" laughed
+Herbert.
+
+The drum was now heard beating the tattoo, and the friends separated
+with hearts full of revived hope.
+
+The next morning Traverse presented the order of the Secretary to the
+Commander-in-Chief and received his discharge.
+
+And then, after writing long, loving and hopeful letters to his mother
+and his betrothed, and entreating the former to try to find out who was
+the secret benefactor who had sent him such timely aid, Traverse took
+leave of his friends, and set out for the Southern Queen of Cities,
+once more to seek his fortune.
+
+Meantime the United States army continued to occupy the City of Mexico,
+through the whole of the autumn and winter.
+
+General Butler, who temporarily succeeded the illustrious Scott in the
+chief command, very wisely arranged the terms of an armistice with the
+enemy that was intended to last two months from the beginning of
+February, but which happily lasted until the conclusion of the treaty
+of peace between the two countries.
+
+Colonel Le Noir had not been destined soon to die; his wound, an inward
+canker from a copper bullet, that the surgeon had at length succeeded
+in extracting, took the form of a chronic fester disease. Since the
+night upon which he had been so extremely ill to be supposed dying, and
+yet had rallied, the doctors felt no apprehensions of his speedy death,
+though they gave no hopes of his final recovery.
+
+Under these circumstances there were hours in which Le Noir bitterly
+regretted his precipitation in permitting those important documents to
+go out of his own hands. And he frequently sent for Herbert Greyson in
+private to require assurances that he would not open the packet
+confided to him before the occurrence of the event specified.
+
+And Herbert always soothed the sufferer by reiterating his promise that
+so long as Colonel Le Noir should survive the seals of that packet
+should not be broken.
+
+Beyond the suspicion that the parcel contained an important confession,
+Herbert Greyson was entirely ignorant of its contents.
+
+But the life of Gabriel Le Noir was prolonged beyond all human calculus
+of probabilities.
+
+He was spared to experience a more effectual repentance than that
+spurious one into which he had been frightened by the seeming rapid
+approach of death. And after seven months of lingering illness and
+gradual decline, during the latter portions of which he was comforted
+by the society of his only son, who had come at his summons to visit
+him, in May, 1848, Gabriel Le Noir expired a sincere penitent,
+reconciled to God and man.
+
+And soon afterward, in the month of May, the treaty of peace having
+been ratified by the Mexican Congress at Queretaro, the American army
+evacuated the city and territory of Mexico.
+
+And our brave soldiers, their "brows crowned with victorious wreaths,"
+set out upon their return to home and friends.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE FORTUNATE BATH.
+
+    Heaven has to all allotted soon or late
+    Some lucky revolution of their fate;
+    Whose motions if we watch and guide with skill
+    (For human good depends on human will)
+    Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent.
+    And from the first impression takes its bent.
+    Now, now she meets you with a glorious prize,
+    And spreads her locks before her as she files.
+
+                          --Dryden.
+
+
+Meanwhile, what had our young adventurer been doing in all these months
+between September and June?
+
+Traverse, with his two hundred dollars, had set out for New Orleans
+about the first of October.
+
+But by the time he had paid his traveling expenses and fitted himself
+out with a respectable suit of professional black and a few necessary
+books, his little capital had diminished three-quarters.
+
+So that when he found himself settled in his new office, in a highly
+respectable quarter of the city, he had but fifty dollars and a few
+dimes left.
+
+A portion of this sum was expended in a cheap sofa-bedstead, a closed
+washstand and a spirit lamp coffee boiler, for Traverse determined to
+lodge in his office and board himself--"which will have this additional
+advantage," said the cheerful fellow to himself--"for besides saving me
+from debt, it will keep me always on hand for calls."
+
+The fever, though it was October, had scarcely abated; indeed, on the
+contrary, it seemed to have revived and increased in virulency in
+consequence of the premature return of many people who had fled on its
+first appearance, and who in coming back too soon to the infected
+atmosphere, were less able to withstand contagion than those who
+remained.
+
+That Traverse escaped the plague was owing not so much to his favorite
+"theory" as to his vigorous constitution, pure blood and regular habits
+of temperance, cleanliness and cheerful activity of mind and body.
+
+Just then the demand was greater than the supply of medical service.
+Traverse found plenty to do, and his pleasant, young face and hopeful
+and confident manners won him great favor in sick rooms, where, whether
+it were to be ascribed to his "theory," his "practice" or to the happy,
+inspiring influence of his personal presence, or to all these together,
+with the blessing of the Lord upon them, it is certain that he was very
+successful in raising the sick. It is true that he did not earn five
+dollars in as many days, for his practice, like that of almost every
+very young professional man, was among the indigent.
+
+But what of that? What if he were not running up heavy accounts against
+wealthy patrons? He was "giving to the poor," not money, for he himself
+was as poor as any of them; but his time, labor and professional skill;
+he was "giving to the poor;" he was "lending to the Lord," and he
+"liked the security." And the most successful speculator that ever made
+a fortune on 'change never, never invested time, labor or money to a
+surer advantage.
+
+And this I would say for the encouragement of all young persons in
+similar circumstances--do not be impatient if the "returns" are a
+little while delayed, for they are so sure and so rich that they are
+quite worth waiting for, nor will the waiting be long. Give your
+services cheerfully, also, for "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver."
+
+Traverse managed to keep out of debt; he regularly paid his office rent
+and his laundress' bill; he daily purchased his mutton shop or pound of
+beefsteak and broiled it himself; he made his coffee, swept and dusted
+his office, put up his sofa-bed, blacked his boots; and oh! miracle of
+independence, he mended his own gloves and sewed on his own shirt
+buttons, for you may depend that the widow's son knew how to do all
+these things; nor was there a bit of hardship in his having so to wait
+upon himself, though if his mother and Clara, in their well-provided
+and comfortable home at Willow Heights, had only known how destitute
+the young man was of female aid and comfort, how they would have cried!
+
+"No one but himself to mend his poor dear gloves! Oh--oh-boo-hoo-oo!"
+
+Traverse never alluded to his straitened circumstances, but boasted of
+the comfort of his quarters and the extent of his practice, and
+declared that his income already exceeded his outlay, which was
+perfectly true, since he was resolved to live within it, whatever it
+might be.
+
+As the fever began to subside Traverse's practice declined, and about
+the middle of November his "occupation was gone."
+
+We said that his office was in the most respectable locality in the
+city; it was, in fact, on the ground floor of a first-class hotel.
+
+It happened that one night, near the close of winter, Traverse lay
+awake on his sofa-bedstead, turning over in his mind how he should
+contrive to make both ends meet at the conclusion of the present term
+and feeling as near despondency as it was possible for his buoyant and
+God-trusting soul to be, when there came a loud ringing at his office
+bell.
+
+This reminded him of the stirring days and nights of the preceding
+autumn. He started up at once to answer the summons.
+
+"Who's there?"
+
+"Is Doctor Rocke in?"
+
+"Yes, what's wanted?"
+
+"A gentleman, sir, in the house here, sir, taken very bad, wants the
+doctor directly, room number 555."
+
+"Very well, I will be with the gentleman immediately," answered
+Traverse, plunging his head into a basin of cold water and drying it
+hastily.
+
+In five minutes Traverse was in the office of the hotel, inquiring for
+a waiter to show him up into 555.
+
+One was ordered to attend him, who led the way up several flights of
+stairs and around divers galleries, until he opened a door and ushered
+the doctor immediately into the sick room.
+
+There was a little, old, dried-up Frenchman in a blue night-cap,
+extended on a bed in the middle of the room and covered with a white
+counterpane that clung close to his rigid form as to a corpse.
+
+And there was a little, old, dried-up Frenchwoman in a brown merino
+gown and a high-crowned muslin cap who hopped and chattered about the
+bed like a frightened magpie.
+
+"Ou! Monsieur le Docteur!" she screamed, jumping at Traverse in a way
+to make him start back; "Ou, Monsieur le Docteur, I am very happy you
+to see! Voilŕ mon frčre! Behold my brother! He is ill! He is verra ill!
+He is dead! He is verra dead!"
+
+"I hope not," said Traverse, approaching the bed.
+
+"Voilŕ, behold! Mon dieu, he is verra still! He is verra cold! He is
+verra dead! What can you, mon frčre, my brother to save?"
+
+"Be composed, madam, if you please, and allow me to examine my
+patient," said Traverse.
+
+"Ma foi! I know not what you speak 'compose.' What can you my brother
+to save?"
+
+"Much, I hope, madam, but you must leave me to examine my patient and
+not interrupt me," said Traverse, passing his hand over the naked chest
+of the sick man.
+
+"Mon Dieu! I know not 'exam' and 'interrupt'! and I know not what can
+you mon frčre to save!"
+
+"If you don't hush parley-vooing, the doctor can do nothink, mum," said
+the waiter, in a respectful tone.
+
+Traverse found his patient in a bad condition--in a stupor, if not in a
+state of positive insensibility. The surface of his body was cold as
+ice, and apparently without the least vitality. If he was not, as his
+sister had expressed it, "very dead," he was certainly "next to it."
+
+By close questioning, and by putting his questions in various forms,
+the doctor learned from the chattering little magpie of a Frenchwoman
+that the patient had been ill for nine days; that he had been under the
+care of Monsieur le Doctor Cartiere; that there had been a consultation
+of physicians; that they had prescribed for him and given him over:
+that le Docteur Cartiere still attended him, but was at this instant in
+attendance as accoucheur to a lady in extreme danger, whom he could not
+leave; but Doctor Cartiere had directed them, in his unavoidable
+absence, to call in the skilful, the talented, the soon to be
+illustrious young Docteur Rocque, who was also near at hand.
+
+The heart of Traverse thrilled with joy. The Lord had remembered him!
+His best skill spent upon the poor and needy who could make him no
+return, but whose lives he had succeeded in saving, had reached the
+ears of the celebrated Dr. C., who had with the unobtrusive magnanimity
+of real genius quietly recommended him to his own patrons.
+
+Oh! well, he would do his very best, not only to advance his own
+professional interests, and to please his mother and Clara, but also to
+do honor to the magnanimous Doctor C.'s recommendation!
+
+Here, too, was an opportunity of putting in practise his favorite
+theory; but first of all it was necessary to be informed of the
+preceding mode of treatment and its results.
+
+So he further questioned the little, restless magpie, and by
+ingeniously framed inquiries succeeded in gaining from her the
+necessary knowledge of his patient's antecedents. He examined all the
+medicines that had been used, and informed himself of their effects
+upon the disease. But the most serious difficulty of all seemed to be
+the impossibility of raising vital action upon the cold, dead skin.
+
+The chattering little woman informed him that the patient had been
+covered with blisters that would not "pull," that would not
+"delineate," that would not, what call you it--"draw!"
+
+Traverse could easily believe this, for not only the skin, but the very
+flesh of the old doctor seemed bloodless and lifeless.
+
+Now for his theory! What would kill a healthy man with a perfect
+circulation might save the life of this dying one, whose whole surface,
+inch deep, seemed already dead.
+
+"Put him in a bath of mustard water, as hot as you can bear your own
+hand in and continue to raise the temperature slowly, watching the
+effect, for about five minutes. I will go down and prepare a cordial
+draught to be taken the moment he gets back to bed," said Doctor Rocke,
+who immediately left the room.
+
+His directions were all but too well obeyed. The bathing tub was
+quickly brought into the chamber and filled with water as hot as the
+nurse could bear her hand in, then the invalid was hastily invested in
+a slight bathing gown and lifted by two servants and laid in the hot
+bath.
+
+"Now, bring quickly, water boiling," said the little, old woman,
+imperatively. And when a large copper kettleful was forthcoming, she
+took it and began to pour a stream of hissing, bubbling water in at the
+foot of the bath.
+
+The skin of the torpid patient had been reddening for a few seconds, so
+as to prove that its sensibility was returning, and now when the stream
+from the kettle began to mix with the already very hot bath, and to
+raise its temperature almost to boiling, suddenly there was heard a cry
+from the bath, and the patient, with the agility of youth and health,
+skipped out of the tub and into his bed, kicking vigorously and
+exclaiming:
+
+"Brigands! Assassins! You have scalded my legs to death!"
+
+"Glory be to the Lord, he's saved!" cried one of the waiters, a devout
+Irishman.
+
+"Ciel! he speaks! he moves! he lives! mon frčre!" cried the little
+Frenchwoman, going to him.
+
+"Ah, murderers! bandits! you've scalded me to death! I'll have you all
+before the commissaire!"
+
+"He scolds! he threatens! he swears! he gets well! mon frčre!" cried
+the old woman, busying herself to change his clothes and put on his
+flannel nightgown. They then tucked him up warmly in bed and put
+bottles of hot water all around, to keep up this newly stimulated
+circulation.
+
+At that moment Dr. Rocke came in, put his hand into the bath-tub and
+could scarcely repress a cry of pain and of horror--the water scalded
+his fingers! What must it have done to the sick man?
+
+"Good heavens, madam! I did not tell you to parboil your patient!"
+exclaimed Traverse, speaking to the old woman. Traverse was shocked to
+find how perilously his orders had been exceeded.
+
+"Eh bien, Monsieur! he lives! he does well! voilŕ mon frčre!" exclaimed
+the little old woman.
+
+It was true: the accidental "boiling bath," as it might almost be
+called, had effected what perhaps no other means in the world could--a
+restored circulation.
+
+The disease was broken up, and the convalescence of the patient was
+rapid. And as Traverse kept his own secret concerning the accidental
+high temperature of that bath, which every one considered a fearful and
+successful experiment, the fame of Dr. Rocke spread over the whole city
+and country.
+
+He would soon have made a fortune in New Orleans, had not the hand of
+destiny beckoned him elsewhere. It happened thus:
+
+The old Frenchman whose life Traverse had, partly by accident and
+partly by design, succeeded in saving, comprehended perfectly well how
+narrow his escape from death had been, and attributed his restoration
+solely to the genius, skill and boldness of his young physician, and
+was grateful accordingly with all a Frenchman's noisy demonstration.
+
+He called Traverse his friend, his deliverer, his son.
+
+One day, as soon as he found himself strong enough to think of pursuing
+his journey, he called his "son" into the room and explained to him
+that he, Doctor Pierre St. Jean, was the proprietor of a private insane
+asylum, very exclusive, very quiet, very aristocratic, indeed,
+receiving none but patients of the highest rank; that this retreat was
+situated on the wooded banks of a charming lake in one of the most
+healthy and beautiful neighborhoods of East Feliciana; that he had
+originally come down to the city to engage the services of some young
+physician of talent as his assistant, and finally, that he would be
+delighted, enraptured if "his deliverer, his friend, his son," would
+accept the post.
+
+Now Traverse particularly wished to study the various phases of mental
+derangement, a department of his professional education that had
+hitherto been opened to him only through books.
+
+He explained this to his old friend, the French physician, who
+immediately went off into ecstatic exclamations of joy as, "Good!
+Great! Grand!" and "I shall now repay my good child! my dear son! for
+his so excellent skill!"
+
+The terms of the engagement were soon arranged, and Traverse prepared
+to accompany his new friend to his "beautiful retreat," the private
+madhouse. But Traverse wrote to his mother and to Clara in Virginia,
+and also to Herbert Greyson in Mexico, to apprise them of his good
+fortune.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS MANIAC.
+
+    Stay, jailer, stay, and hear my woe;
+    She is not mad, who kneels to thee,
+    For what I am, full well I know,
+    And what I was, and what should be;
+    I'll rave no more in proud despair--
+    My language shall be calm tho' sad;
+    But yet I'll truly, firmly swear,
+    I am not mad! no, no, not mad!
+
+                          --M. G. Lewis.
+
+
+It was at the close of a beautiful day in early spring that Traverse
+Rocke, accompanying the old doctor and the old sister, reached the
+grove on the borders of the beautiful lake upon the banks of which was
+situated the "Calm Retreat."
+
+A large, low, white building surrounded with piazzas and shaded by
+fragrant and flowering southern trees, it looked like the luxurious
+country seat of some wealthy merchant or planter rather than a prison
+for the insane.
+
+Doctor St. Jean conducted his young assistant into a broad and cool
+hall on each side of which doors opened into spacious rooms, occupied
+by the proprietor and his household. The cells of the patients, as it
+appeared were up-stairs. The country doctor and the matron who had been
+in charge during the absence of the proprietor and his sister now came
+forward to welcome the party and report the state of the institution
+and its inmates.
+
+All were as usual, the country doctor said, except "Mademoiselle."
+
+"And what of her--how is Mademoiselle----?"
+
+"A patient most interesting, Doctor Rocke," said the old Frenchman,
+alternately questioning his substitute and addressing Traverse.
+
+"She has stopped her violent ravings, and seems to me to be sinking
+into a state of stupid despair," replied the substitute.
+
+"A patient most interesting, my young friend! A history most pathetic!
+You shall hear of it some time. But come into the parlor, and you,
+Angele, my sister, ring and order coffee," said the old Frenchman,
+leading the way into a pleasant apartment on the right of the hall,
+furnished with straw matting upon the floor and bamboo settees and
+chairs around the walls.
+
+Here coffee was presently served to the travelers, who soon after
+retired for the night.
+
+Traverse's room was a large, pleasant apartment at the end of a wide,
+long hall, on each side of which were the doors opening into the cells
+of the patients.
+
+Fatigued by his journey, Traverse slept soundly through the night; but
+early in the morning he was rudely awakened by the sounds of maniac
+voices from the cells. Some were crying, some laughing aloud some
+groaning and howling and some holding forth in fancied exhortations.
+
+He dressed himself quickly and left his room to walk down the length of
+the long hall and observe the cells on each side. The doors were at
+regular intervals, and each door had in its center a small opening to
+enable the proprietor to look in upon the patients.
+
+As these were all women, and some of them delicate and refined even in
+their insanity, Traverse felt shocked at this necessary, if it were
+necessary, exposure of their sanctuary.
+
+The cells were, in fact, small bedrooms that with their white-washed
+walls and white-curtained beds and windows looked excessively neat,
+clean and cool, but also, it must be confessed, very bare, dreary and
+cheerless.
+
+"Even a looking-glass would be a great benefit to those poor girls, for
+I remember that even Clara, in her violent grief, and mother in her
+lifelong sorrow, never neglected their looking-glass and personal
+appearance," said Traverse to himself, as he passed down the hall and
+resolved that this little indulgence should be afforded the patients.
+
+And except those first involuntary glances he scrupulously avoided
+looking in through the gratings upon those helpless women who had no
+means of secluding themselves.
+
+But as he turned to go down the stairs his eyes went full into an
+opposite cell and fell upon a vision of beauty and sorrow that
+immediately riveted his gaze.
+
+It was a small and graceful female figure, clothed in deep black,
+seated by the window, with her elbow resting upon the sill and her chin
+supported on her hand. Her eyes were cast down until her eyelashes lay
+like inky lines upon her snow-white cheek. Her face, of classic
+regularity and marble whiteness, bore a ghastly contrast to the long
+eyelashes, arched eyebrows and silken ringlets black as midnight. She
+might have been a statue or a picture, so motionless she sat.
+
+Conscious of the wrong of gazing upon this solitary woman, Traverse
+forced his looks away and passed on down-stairs, where he again met the
+old doctor and Mademoiselle Angele at breakfast.
+
+After breakfast Doctor St. Jean invited his young assistant to
+accompany him on a round of visits to the patients, and they went
+immediately up to the hall, at the end of which Traverse had slept.
+
+"There are our incurables, but they are not violent; incurables never
+are! Poor Mademoiselle! She has just been conveyed to this ward," said
+the doctor, opening the door of the first cell on the right at the head
+of the stairs and admitting Traverse at once into the presence of the
+beautiful, black-haired, snow-faced woman, who had so much interested
+him.
+
+"This is my friend, Doctor Rocke, Mademoiselle; Doctor, this is my
+friend, Mademoiselle Mont de St. Pierre!"
+
+Traverse bowed profoundly, and the lady arose, curtsied and resumed her
+seat, saying, coldly:
+
+"I have told you, Monsieur, never to address me as Mademoiselle; you
+persist in doing so, and I shall never notice the insult again."
+
+"Ten thousand pardons, madame! But if madame will always look so young,
+so beautiful, can I ever remember that she is a widow?"
+
+The classic lip of the woman curled in scorn, and she disdained a
+reply.
+
+"I take an appeal to Monsieur Le Docteur--is not madame young and
+beautiful?" asked the Frenchman, turning to Traverse, while the
+splendid, black eyes of the stranger passed from the one to the other.
+
+Traverse caught the glance of the lady and bowed gravely. It was the
+most delicate and proper reply.
+
+She smiled almost as gravely, and with a much kinder expression than
+any she had bestowed upon the Frenchman.
+
+"And how has madame fared during my absence so long? The servants--have
+they been respectful? Have they been observant? Have they been obedient
+to the will of madame? Madame has but to speak!" said the doctor,
+bowing politely.
+
+"Why should I speak when every word I utter you believe, or affect to
+believe, to be the ravings of a maniac? I will speak no more," said the
+lady, turning away her superb dark eyes and looking out of the window.
+
+"Ah, madame will not so punish her friend, her servant, her slave!"
+
+A gesture of fierce impatience and disgust was the only reply deigned
+by the lady.
+
+"Come away; she is angry and may become dangerously excited," said the
+old doctor, leading the way from the cell.
+
+"Did you tell me this lady is one of the incurables?" inquired
+Traverse, when they had left her apartment.
+
+"Bah! yes, poor girl, vera incurable, as my sister would say."
+
+"Yet she appears to me to be perfectly sane, as well as exceedingly
+beautiful and interesting."
+
+"Ah, bah; my excellent, my admirable, my inexperienced young friend,
+that is all you know of lunatics! With more or less violence of
+assertion, they every one insist upon their sanity, just as criminals
+protest their innocence. Ah, bah! you shall go into every cell in this
+ward and find not one lunatic among them," sneered the old doctor, as
+he led the way into the next little room.
+
+It was indeed as he had foretold, and Traverse Rocke found himself
+deeply affected by the melancholy, the earnest and sometimes the
+violent manner in which the poor unfortunates protested their sanity
+and implored or demanded to be restored to home and friends.
+
+"You perceive," said the doctor, with a dry laugh, "that they are none
+of them crazy?"
+
+"I see," said Traverse, "but I also detect a very great difference
+between that lovely woman in the south cell and these other inmates."
+
+"Bah! bah! bah! She is more beautiful, more accomplished, more refined
+than the others, and she is in one of her lucid intervals! That is all;
+but as to a difference between her insanity and that of the other
+patients, it lies in this, that she is the most hopelessly mad of the
+whole lot! She has been mad eighteen years!"
+
+"Is it possible?" exclaimed Traverse, incredulously.
+
+"She lost her reason at the age of sixteen, and she is now thirty-four;
+you can calculate!"
+
+"It is amazing and very sorrowful! How beautiful she is!"
+
+"Yes; her beauty was a fatal gift. It is a sad story. Ah, it is a sad
+story. You shall hear it when we get through."
+
+"I can connect no idea of woman's frailty with that refined and
+intellectual face," said Traverse coldly.
+
+"Ah, bah! you are young! you know not the world! you, my innocent, my
+pious young friend!" said the old doctor, as they crossed the hall to
+go into the next wing of the building, in which were situated the men's
+wards.
+
+Traverse found nothing that particularly interested him in this
+department, and when they had concluded their round of visits and were
+seated together in the old doctor's study, Traverse asked him for the
+story of his beautiful patient.
+
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"It is a story miserable, as I told you before. A gentleman, illustrious,
+from Virginia, an officer high in the army, and distinguished in the
+war, he brought this woman to me nearly three years ago. He informed me
+that--oh, bien! I had better tell you the story in my own manner. This
+young lady, Mademoiselle Mont de St. Pierre, is of a family noble and
+distinguished--a relative of this officer, illustrious and brave. At
+fifteen Mademoiselle met a man, handsome and without honor. Ah, bah!
+you understand! at sixteen the child became a fallen angel! She lost
+her reason through sorrow and shame. This relative--this gentleman,
+illustrious and noble, tender and compassionate--took her to the seclusion
+of his country house, where she lived in elegance, luxury and honor.
+But as the years passed her malady increased; her presence became
+dangerous; in a word, the gentleman, distinguished and noble, saw the
+advertisement of my 'Calm Retreat,' my institution incomparable, and he
+wrote to me. In a word, he liked my terms and brought to me his young
+relative, so lovely and so unfortunate. Ah! he is a good man, this
+officer, so gallant, so chivalrous; but she is ungrateful!"
+
+"Ungrateful!"
+
+"Ah, bah! yes; it is the way of lunatics! They ever imagine their best
+friends to be their worst enemies. The poor, crazed creature fancies
+that she is the sister-in-law of this officer illustrious! She thinks
+that she is the widow of his elder brother, whom she imagines he
+murdered, and that she is the mother of children, whom she says he has
+abducted or destroyed, so that he may enjoy the estate that is her
+widow's dower and their orphans' patrimony. That is the reason why she
+insists on being called madame instead of mademoiselle, and we indulge
+her when we think of it!"
+
+"But all this is very singular!"
+
+"Ah, bah! who can account for a lunatic's fancies? She is the maddest
+of the whole lot. Sometimes she used to become so violent that we would
+have to restrain her. But lately, Doctor Wood tells me, she is quite
+still; that we consider a bad sign; there is always hope for a lunatic
+until they begin to sink into this state," said the doctor, with an air
+of competency.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+THE MANIAC'S STORY.
+
+    A scheming villain forged the tale
+      That chains me in this dreary cell,
+    My fate unknown, my friends bewail,
+      Oh, doctor, haste that fate to tell!
+    Oh, haste my daughter's heart to cheer,
+      Her heart, at once, 'twill grieve and glad
+    To know, tho' chained and captive here,
+      I am not mad! I am not mad!
+
+                          --M. G. Lewis.
+
+
+There is some advantage in having imagination, since that visionary
+faculty opens the mental eyes to facts that more practical and duller
+intellects could never see.
+
+Traverse was young and romantic, and deeply interested in the doctor's
+beautiful patient. He, therefore, did not yield his full credulity to
+the tale told by the "relative illustrious" to the old doctor, as to
+the history and cause of the lady's madness, or even take it for
+granted that she was mad. He thought it quite possible that the
+distinguished officer's story might be a wicked fabrication, to conceal
+a crime, and that the lady's "crazy fancy" might be the pure truth.
+
+And Traverse had heard to what heinous uses private mad-houses were
+sometimes put by some unscrupulous men, who wished to get certain women
+out of their way, yet who shrank from bloodshed.
+
+And he thought it not impossible that this "gentleman so noble, so
+compassionate and tender," might be just such a man, and this "fallen
+angel" such a victim. And he determined to watch and observe. And he
+further resolved to treat the interesting patient with all the studious
+delicacy and respect due to a refined and accomplished woman in the
+full possession of her faculties. If she were really mad, this demeanor
+would not hurt her, and if she were not mad it was the only proper
+conduct to be observed toward her, as any other must be equally cruel
+and offensive. Her bodily health certainly required the attendance of a
+physician, and Traverse had therefore a fair excuse for his daily
+visits to her cell.
+
+His respectful manners, his grave bow, and his reverential tone in
+saying--
+
+"I hope I find you stronger to-day, Madam," seemed to gratify one who
+had few sources of pleasure.
+
+"I thank you," she would answer, with a softened tone and look, adding,
+"Yes" or "No," as the truth might be.
+
+One day, after looking at the young physician some time, she suddenly
+said:
+
+"You never forget. You always address me by my proper title of Madam,
+and without the touch of irony which others indulge in when 'humoring'
+me, as they call it! Now, pray explain to me why, in sober earnest, you
+give me this title?"
+
+"Because, Madam, I have heard you lay claim to that title, and I think
+that you yourself, of all the world, have the best right to know how
+you should be addressed," said Traverse, respectfully.
+
+The lady looked wistfully at him and said:
+
+"But my next-door neighbor asserts that she is a queen; she insists
+upon being called 'your majesty.' Has she, then, the best right to know
+how she should be addressed?"
+
+"Alas! no, Madam, and I am pained that you should do yourself the great
+wrong to draw such comparisons."
+
+"Why? Am not I and the 'queen' inmates of the same ward of incurables,
+in the same lunatic asylum?"
+
+"Yes, but not with equal justice of cause. The 'queen' is a hopelessly
+deranged, but happy lunatic. You, Madam, are a lady who has retained
+the full possession of your faculties amid circumstances and
+surroundings that must have overwhelmed the reason of a weaker mind."
+
+The lady looked at him in wonder and almost in joy.
+
+"Ah! it was not the strength of my mind; it was the strength of the
+Almighty upon whom my mind was stayed, for time and for eternity, that
+has saved my reason in all these many years! But how did you know that
+I was not mad? How do you know that this is anything more than a lucid
+interval of longer duration than usual?" she asked.
+
+"Madam, you will forgive me for having looked at you so closely, and
+watched you so constantly, but I am your physician, you know----"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive and much to thank you for, young man. You
+have an honest, truthful, frank, young face! the only one such that I
+have seen in eighteen years of sorrow! But why, then, did you not
+believe the doctor? Why did you not take the fact of my insanity upon
+trust, as others did?" she asked, fixing her glorious, dark eyes
+inquiringly upon his face.
+
+"Madam, from the first moment in which I saw you, I disbelieved the
+story of your insanity, and mentioned my doubts to Doctor St. Jean----"
+
+"Who ridiculed your doubts, of course. I can readily believe that he
+did. Doctor St. Jean is not a very bad man, but he is a charlatan and a
+dullard; he received the story of my reported insanity as he received
+me, as an advantage to his institution, and he never gave himself the
+unprofitable trouble to investigate the circumstances. I told him the
+truth about myself as calmly as I now speak to you, but somebody else
+had told him that this truth was the fiction of a deranged imagination,
+and he found it more convenient and profitable to believe somebody
+else. But again I ask you, why were not you, also, so discreetly
+obtuse?"
+
+"Madam," said Traverse, blushing ingenuously, "I hope you will forgive
+me for saying that it is impossible any one could see you without
+becoming deeply interested in your fate. Your face, Madam, speaks
+equally of profound sorrows and of saintly resignation. I saw no sign
+of madness there. In the calm depths of those sad eyes, lady, I knew
+that the fires of insanity never could have burned. Pardon me that I
+looked at you so closely; I was your physician, and was most deeply
+anxious concerning my patient."
+
+"I thank you; may the Lord bless you! Perhaps he has sent you here for
+my relief, for you are right, young friend--you are altogether right; I
+have been wild with grief, frantic with despair, but never for one hour
+in the whole course of my life have I been insane."
+
+"I believe you, Madam, on my sacred honor I do!" said Traverse,
+fervently.
+
+"And yet you could get no one about this place to believe you! They
+have taken my brother-in-law's false story, indorsed as it is by the
+doctor-proprietor, for granted. And just so long as I persist in
+telling my true story, they will consider me a monomaniac, and so often
+as the thought of my many wrongs and sorrows combines with the nervous
+irritability to which every woman is occasionally subject, and makes me
+rave with impatience and excitement, they will report me a dangerous
+lunatic, subject to periodical attacks of violent frenzy; but, young
+man, even at my worst, I am no more mad than any other woman, wild with
+grief and hysterical through nervous irritation, might at any time
+become without having her sanity called in question."
+
+"I am sure that you are not, nor ever could have been, Madam. The
+nervous excitement of which you speak is entirely within the control of
+medicine, which mania proper is not. You will use the means that I
+prescribe and your continued calmness will go far to convince even
+these dullards that they have been wrong."
+
+"I will do everything you recommend; indeed, for some weeks before you
+came, I had put a constraint upon myself and forced myself to be very
+still; but the effect of that was, that acting upon their theory they
+said that I was sinking into the last or 'melancholy-mad' state of
+mania, and they put me in here with the incurables."
+
+"Lady," said Traverse, respectfully taking her hand, "now that I am
+acquainted in some slight degree with the story of your heavy wrongs,
+do not suppose that I will ever leave you until I see you restored to
+your friends."
+
+"Friends! ah, young man, do you really suppose that if I had had
+friends I should have been left thus long unsought? I have no friends,
+Doctor Rocke, except yourself, newly sent me by the Lord; nor any
+relatives except a young daughter whom I have seen but twice in my
+life!--once upon the dreadful night when she was born and torn away
+from my sight and once about two years ago, when she must have been
+sixteen years of age. My little daughter does not know that she has a
+poor mother living, and I have no friend upon earth but you, whom the
+Lord has sent."
+
+"And not in vain!" said Traverse, fervently, "though you have no other
+friends, yet you have the law to protect you. I will make your case
+known and restore you to liberty. Then, lady, listen: I have a good
+mother, to whom suffering has taught sympathy with the unfortunate, and
+I have a lovely betrothed bride, whom you will forgive her lover for
+thinking an angel in woman's form; and we have a beautiful home among
+the hills of Virginia, and you shall add to our happiness by living
+with us."
+
+The lady looked at Traverse Rocke with astonishment and incredulity.
+
+"Boy," she said, "do you know what you are promising--to assume the
+whole burthen of the support of a useless woman for her whole life?
+What would your mother or your promised wife say to such a
+proposition?"
+
+"Ah! you do not know my dear mother nor my Clara--no, nor even me. I
+tell you the truth when I say that your coming among us would make us
+happier. Oh, Madam, I myself owe so much to the Lord and to His
+instruments, the benevolent of this world, for all that has been done
+for me. I seize with gratitude the chance to serve in my turn any of
+His suffering children. Pray believe me!"
+
+"I do! I do, Doctor Rocke! I see that life has not deprived you of a
+generous, youthful enthusiasm," said the lady, with the tears welling
+up into her glorious black eyes.
+
+After a little, with a smile, she held out her hand to him, saying:
+
+"Young friend, if you should succeed in freeing me from this prison and
+establishing my sanity before a court of justice, I and my daughter
+will come into the immediate possession of one of the largest estates
+in your native Virginia! Sit you down, Doctor Rocke, while I tell you
+my true story, and much, very much more of it than I have ever confided
+to any human being."
+
+"Lady, I am very impatient to hear your history, but I am your
+physician, and must first consider your health. You have been
+sufficiently excited for one day; it is late; take your tea and retire
+early to bed. To-morrow morning, after I have visited the wards and you
+have taken your breakfast, I will come, and you shall tell me the story
+of your life."
+
+"I will do whatever you think best," said the lady.
+
+Traverse lifted her hand to his lips, bowed, and retreated from the
+cell.
+
+That same night Traverse wrote to his friend, Herbert Greyson, in
+Mexico, and to his mother and Clara, describing his interesting
+patient, though as yet he could tell but little of her, not even in
+fact her real name, but promising fuller particulars next time, and
+declaring his intention of bringing her home for the present to their
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+END OF THE LADY'S STORY.
+
+    Of the present naught is bright,
+    But in the coming years I see
+    A brilliant and a cheerful light,
+    Which burns before thee constantly.
+
+                          --W. D. Gallagher.
+
+
+At the appointed hour the next morning Traverse Rocke repaired to the
+cell of his mysterious patient.
+
+He was pleased to find her up, dressed with more than usual care and
+taste and looking, upon the whole, much better in health and spirits
+than upon the preceding day.
+
+"Ah, my young hero, it is you; you see that I am ready for you," she
+said, holding out her hand.
+
+"You are looking very well this morning," said Traverse, smiling.
+
+"Yes, hope is a fine tonic, Doctor Rocke."
+
+She was seated by the same window at which Traverse had first seen her,
+and she now beckoned the young doctor to come and take a seat near her.
+
+"My story is almost as melodramatic as a modern romance, Doctor Rocke,"
+she said.
+
+Traverse bowed gravely and waited.
+
+"My father was a French patriot, who suffered death in the cause of
+liberty when I, his only child, was but fourteen years of age. My
+mother, broken-hearted by his loss, followed him within a few months. I
+was left an orphan and penniless, for our estate was confiscated."
+
+"Ah, your sorrows came early and heavily indeed," said Traverse.
+
+"Yes; well, a former servant of my father held an humble situation of
+porter on the ground floor of a house, the several floors of which were
+let out to different lodgers. This poor man and his wife gave me a
+temporary home with themselves. Among the lodgers of the house there
+was a young Virginian gentleman of fortune, traveling for pleasure and
+improvement; his name was Mr. Eugene Le Noir."
+
+"Le Noir!" cried Traverse, with a violent start.
+
+"Yes--what is the matter?"
+
+"It is a familiar Virginia name, Madam, that is all; pray go on."
+
+"Mr. Le Noir was as good and kind as he was wise and cultivated. He
+used to stop to gossip with old Cliquot every time he stopped at the
+porter's room to take or to leave his key. There he heard of the poor
+little orphan of the guillotine, who had no friend in the world but her
+father's old servant. He pitied me, and after many consultations with
+Father and Mother Cliquot, he assumed the position of guardian to me,
+and placed me at one of the best schools in Paris. He lingered in the
+city and came to see me very often; but always saw me in the presence
+of Madame, the directress. I clung to him with affection as to a father
+or an elder brother, and I knew he loved me with the tender, protecting
+affection that he would have given a younger sister, had he possessed
+one. Ah! Doctor Rocke, tell me, besides yourself, are there many other
+men in your State like him?"
+
+"I knew but one such; but go on, dear Madam."
+
+"When I had been to school some months he came to me one day scarcely
+able to conceal his woe. He told me that his father was ill and that he
+should have to sail in the first packet from Havre, and that, in fact,
+he had then come to take leave of me. I was wild with grief, not only
+upon his account but upon my own, at the prospect of losing him, my
+only friend. I was but a child, and a French child to boot. I knew
+nothing of the world; I regarded this noble gentleman, who was so much
+my superior in years as in everything else, as a father, guardian or
+elder brother; so in an agony of grief I threw myself into his arms,
+sobbing and weeping bitterly and imploring him not to break my heart by
+leaving me. It was in vain Madame the Directress exclaimed and
+expostulated at these improprieties. I am sure I did not hear a word
+until he spoke. Putting me out of his arms, he said:
+
+"'I must go, my child; duty calls me.'
+
+"'Then take me with you; take your poor little one with you, and do not
+pull her out of your warm, good heart, or she will wither and die like
+a flower torn up by the roots!' I cried, between my sobs and tears.
+
+"He drew me back to his bosom and whispered:
+
+"There is but one way in which I can take you with me, my child. Will
+you be my wife, little Capitolie?"
+
+"Capitola!" cried Traverse, with another great start.
+
+"Yes! Why? What is the matter now?"
+
+"Why, it is such an odd name, that is all! Pray proceed, Madam."
+
+"We were married the same day, and sailed the third morning thereafter
+from Havre for the United States, where we arrived, alas! only to find
+the noble gentleman, my Eugene's father, laid in his grave. After Mr.
+Le Noir's natural grief was over we settled down peaceably to our
+country life at the Hidden House----"
+
+"The Hidden House!" again exclaimed Traverse Rocke.
+
+"Yes! that is another odd name, isn't it? Well, I was very happy. At
+first when I understood my real position, I had been afraid that my
+husband had married me only from compassion; but he soon proved to me
+that his love was as high, as pure and as noble as himself. I was very
+happy. But one day, in the midst of my exultant joy, a thunderbolt fell
+and shattered my peace to destruction forever! Oh, Doctor Rocke, my
+husband was murdered by some unknown hand in his own woods, in open
+day! I cannot talk of this!" cried the widow, breaking down,
+overwhelmed with the rush of terrible recollections.
+
+Traverse poured out a glass of water and handed it to her.
+
+She drank it, made an effort at self-control, and resumed:
+
+"Thus, scarcely sixteen years of age, I was a widow, helpless,
+penniless and entirely dependent upon my brother-in-law, Colonel
+Gabriel Le Noir, for by the terms of their father's will, if Eugene
+died without issue the whole property descended to his younger brother,
+Gabriel. To speak the truth, Colonel Le Noir was exceedingly kind to me
+after my awful bereavement, until a circumstance was discovered that
+changed all our relations. It was two months after my husband's death
+that I discovered, with mingled emotions of joy and sorrow, that heaven
+had certainly destined me to become a mother! I kept my cherished
+secret to myself as long as it was possible, but it could not indeed be
+long concealed from the household. I believe that my brother-in-law was
+the first to suspect it. He called me into his study one day, and I
+obeyed like a child. And there he rudely questioned me upon the subject
+of my sacred mother-mystery. He learned the truth more from my silence
+than from my replies, for I could not answer him."
+
+"The brute! the miserable hound!" ejaculated Traverse.
+
+"Oh, Doctor Rocke, I could not tell you the avalanche of abuse, insult
+and invective that he hurled upon my defenseless head. He accused me of
+more crimes than I had ever heard talk of. He told me that my condition
+was an impossible one unless I had been false to the memory of his
+brother; that I had dishonored his name, disgraced his house and
+brought myself to shame; that I should leave the roof, leave the
+neighborhood and die as I deserved to die, in a ditch! I made no reply.
+I was crushed into silence under the weight of his reproaches."
+
+"The caitiff! The poltroon! Ah, poor stranger, why did you not leave
+the house at once and throw yourself upon the protection of the
+minister of your parish or some other kind neighbor?"
+
+"Alas! I was a child, a widow and a foreigner all in one! I did not
+know your land or your laws or your people. I was not hopeful or
+confident; I had suffered so cruelly and I was overwhelmed by his
+abuse."
+
+"But did you not know, dear lady, that all his rage was aroused only by
+the fact that the birth of your child would disinherit him?"
+
+"Ah, no! I was not aware, at that time, that Gabriel Le Noir was a
+villain. I thought his anger honest, though unjust, and I was as
+ignorant as a child. I had no mother nor matronly friend to instruct
+me. I knew that I had broken no command of God or man; that I had been
+a faithful wife, but when Gabriel Le Noir accused me with such bitter
+earnestness I feared that some strange departure from the usual course
+of nature had occurred for my destruction. And I was overwhelmed by
+mortification, terror and despair!"
+
+"Ah, the villain!" exclaimed Traverse, between his teeth.
+
+"He told me at last that to save the memory of his dead brother he
+would hide my dishonor, and he ordered me to seclude myself from the
+sight of all persons. I obeyed him like a slave, grateful even for the
+shelter of his roof."
+
+"A roof that was your own, as he very well knew. And he knew, also, the
+caitiff! that if the circumstance became known the whole State would
+have protected you in your rights, and ejected him like a cur."
+
+"Nay, even in that case no harm should have reached him on my account.
+He was my husband's brother."
+
+"And worst enemy! But proceed, dear lady."
+
+"Well, I secluded myself as he commanded. For four months I never left
+the attic to which he had ordered me to retreat. At the end of that
+time I became the mother of twins--a boy and a girl. The boy only
+opened his eyes on this world to close them again directly. The girl
+was living and healthy. The old nurse who attended me had an honest and
+compassionate face; I persuaded her to secrete and save the living
+child, and to present the dead babe to Colonel Le Noir as the only one,
+for the suspicions that had never been awakened for myself were alarmed
+for my child. I instinctively felt that he would have destroyed it."
+
+"The mother's instinct is like inspiration," said Traverse.
+
+"It may be so. Well, the old woman pitied me and did as I desired. She
+took the dead child to Colonel Le Noir, who carried it off, and
+afterward buried it as the sole heir of his elder brother. The old
+woman carried off my living child and my wedding ring, concealed under
+her ample shawl. Anxiety for the fate of my child caused me to do what
+nothing else on earth would have tempted me to do--to creep about the
+halls and passages on tiptoe and under cover of the night and listen at
+keyholes," said the lady, blushing deeply at the recollection.
+
+"You--you were perfectly right, Mrs. Le Noir! In a den of robbers,
+where your life and honor were always at stake, you could have done no
+otherwise!" exclaimed Traverse, warmly.
+
+"I learned by this means that my poor old nurse had paid with her
+liberty for her kindness to me. She had been abducted and forced from
+her native country together with a child found in her possession, which
+they evidently suspected, and I knew, to be mine. Oh, heaven! the agony
+then of thinking of what might be her unknown fate, worse than death,
+perhaps! I felt that I had only succeeded in saving her life--doubtful
+good!"
+
+Here Mrs. Le Noir paused in thought for a few moments and then resumed.
+
+"It is the memory of a long, dreary and hopeless imprisonment, my
+recollection of my residence in that house! In the same manner in which
+I gained all my information, I learned that it was reported in the
+neighborhood that I had gone mad with grief for the loss of my husband
+and that I was an inmate of a madhouse in the North! It was altogether
+false; I never left the Hidden House in all those years until about two
+years ago. My life there was dreary beyond all conception. I was
+forbidden to go out or to appear at a window. I had the whole attic,
+containing some eight or ten rooms, to rove over, but I was forbidden
+to descend. An ill-looking woman called Dorcas Knight, between whom and
+the elder Le Noir there seemed to have been some sinful bond was
+engaged ostensibly as my attendant, but really as my jailer.
+Nevertheless, when the sense of confinement grew intolerable I
+sometimes eluded her vigilance and wandered about the house at night."
+
+"Thence, no doubt," said Traverse, "giving rise to the report that the
+house was haunted."
+
+Mrs. Le Noir smiled, saying:
+
+"I believe the Le Noirs secretly encouraged that report. I'll tell you
+why. They gave me a chamber lamp inclosed in an intense blue shade,
+that cast a strange, unearthly light around. Their ostensible reason
+was to insure my safety from fire. Their real reason was that this
+light might be seen from without in what was reputed to be an
+uninhabited portion of the house, and give color to its bad reputation
+among the ignorant of being haunted."
+
+"So much for the origin of one authenticated ghost story," said
+Traverse.
+
+"Yes, and there was still more circumstantial evidence to support this
+ghostly reputation of the house. As the years passed I had, even in my
+confined state, gathered knowledge in one way and another--picking up
+stray books and hearing stray conversation; and so, in the end I
+learned how gross a deception and how great a wrong had been practised
+upon me. I was not wise or cunning. I betrayed constantly to my
+attendant my knowledge of these things. In consequence of which my
+confinement became still more restricted."
+
+"Yes, they were afraid of you, and fear is always the mother of
+cruelty," said Traverse.
+
+"Well, from the time that I became enlightened as to my real position,
+all my faculties were upon the alert to find means of escaping and
+making my condition known to the authorities. One night they had a
+guest, Colonel Eglen, of the army, Old Dorcas had her hands full, and
+forgot her prisoner. My door was left unlocked. So, long after Colonel
+Eglen had retired to rest, and when all the household were buried in
+repose, I left my attic and crept down to the chamber of the guest,
+with no other purpose than to make known my wrongs and appeal to his
+compassion. I entered his chamber, approached his bed to speak to him,
+when this hero of a hundred fields started up in a panic, and at the
+sight of the pale woman who drew his curtains in the dead of the night,
+he shrieked, violently rang his bell and fainted prone away."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha! he could brave an army or march into a cannon's mouth
+easier than meet a supposed denizen of another world! Well, Doctor
+Johnson believed in ghosts," laughed Traverse.
+
+"It remained for me to retreat as fast as possible to my room to avoid
+the Le Noirs, who were hurrying with headlong speed to the
+guest-chamber. They knew of course, that I was the ghost, although they
+affected to treat their visitor's story as a dream. After that my
+confinement was so strict that for years I had no opportunity of
+leaving my attic. At last the strict espionage was relaxed. Sometimes
+my door would be left unlocked. Upon one such occasion, in creeping
+about in the dark, I learned, by overhearing a conversation between Le
+Noir and his housekeeper, that my long lost daughter, Capitola, had
+been found and was living at Hurricane Hall! This was enough to comfort
+me for years. About three years ago the surveillance over me was so
+modified that I was left again to roam about the upper rooms of the
+house at will, until I learned that they had a new inmate, young Clara
+Day, a ward of Le Noir! Oh, how I longed to warn that child to fly! But
+I could not; alas, again I was restricted to my own room, lest I should
+be seen by her. But again, upon one occasion, old Dorcas forgot to lock
+my door at night. I stole forth from my room and learned that a young
+girl, caught out in the storm, was to stay all night at the Hidden
+House. Young girls were not plentiful in that neighborhood, I knew.
+Besides, some secret instinct told me that this was my daughter: I knew
+that she would sleep in the chamber under mine, because that was the
+only habitable guest-room in the whole house. In the dead of night I
+left my room and went below and entered the chamber of the young girl.
+I went first to the toilet table to see if among her little girlish
+ornaments, I could find any clue to her identity. I found it in a
+plain, gold ring--the same that I had intrusted to the old nurse. Some
+strange impulse caused me to slip the ring upon my finger. Then I went
+to the bed and threw aside the curtains to gaze upon the sleeper. My
+girl--my own girl! With what strange sensations I first looked upon her
+face! Her eyes were open and fixed upon mine in a panic of terror. I
+stooped to press my lips to her's and she closed her eyes in mortal
+fear, I carried nothing but terror with me! I withdrew from the room
+and went back, sobbing, to my chamber. My poor girl next morning
+unconsciously betrayed her mother. It had nearly cost me my life."
+
+"When the Le Noirs came home, the first night of their arrival they
+entered my room, seized me in my bed and dragged me shrieking from it!"
+
+"Good heaven! What punishment is sufficient for such wretches!"
+exclaimed Traverse, starting up and pacing the narrow limits of the
+cell.
+
+"Listen! They soon stopped both my shrieks and my breath at once. I
+lost consciousness for a time, and when I awoke I found myself in a
+close carriage, rattling over a mountain road, through the night. Late
+the next morning we reached an uninhabited country house, where I was
+again imprisoned, in charge of an old dumb woman, whom Le Noir called
+Mrs. Raven. This I afterwards understood to be Willow Heights, the
+property of the orphan heiress, Clara Day. And here, also, for the term
+of my stay, the presence of the unknown inmate got the house the
+reputation of being haunted.
+
+"The old dumb woman was a shade kinder to me than Dorcas Knight had
+been, but I did not stay in her charge very long. One night the Le
+Noirs came in hot haste. The young heiress had been delivered from
+their charge by a degree of the Orphans' Court, and they had to give up
+her house. I was drugged and hurried away. Some narcotic sedative must
+have been insinuated into all my food, for I was in a state of
+semi-sensibility and mild delirium during the whole course of a long
+journey by land and sea, which passed to me like a dream, and at the
+end of which I found myself here. No doubt, from the excessive use of
+narcotics, there was some thing wild and stupid in my manner and
+appearance that justified the charge of madness. And when I found that
+I was a prisoner in a lunatic asylum, far, far away from the
+neighborhood where at least I had once been known I gave way to the
+wilder grief that further confirmed the story of my madness. I have
+been here two years, occasionally giving way to outbursts of wild
+despair, that the doctor calls frenzy. I was sinking into an apathy,
+when one day I opened the little Bible that lay upon the table of my
+cell. I fixed upon the last chapters in the gospel of John. That
+narrative of meek patience and divine love. It did for me what no power
+under that of God could have done. It saved me! It saved me from
+madness! It saved me from despair! There is a time for the second birth
+of every soul; that time had come for me. From that hour, this book has
+been my constant companion and comfort. I have learned from its pages
+how little it matters how or where this fleeting, mortal life is
+passed, so that it answers its purpose of preparing the soul for
+another. I have learned patience with sinners, forgiveness of enemies,
+and confidence in God. In a word, I trust I have learned the way of
+salvation, and in that have learned everything. Your coming and your
+words, young friend, have stirred within my heart the desire to be
+free, to mingle again on equal terms with my fellow beings, and above
+all, to find and to embrace my child. But not wildly anxious am I even
+for these earthly blessings. These, as well as all things else, I
+desire to leave to the Lord, praying that His will may be mine. Young
+friend, my story is told."
+
+"Madam," said Traverse, after a thoughtful pause, "our fates have been
+more nearly connected than you could have imagined. Those Le Noirs have
+been my enemies as they are yours. That young orphan heiress, who
+appealed from their cruelty to the Orphans' Court, was my own
+betrothed. Willow Heights was her patrimony and is now her quiet home
+where she lives with my mother, and where in their names I invited you
+to come. And take this comfort also; your enemy no longer lives: months
+ago I left him ill with a mortal wound. This morning the papers
+announce his death. There remains, therefore, but little for me to do,
+but to take legal measures to free you from this place, and restore you
+to your home. Within an hour I shall set out for New Orleans, for the
+purpose of taking the initiatory steps. Until my return then, dear
+lady," said Traverse, respectfully taking her hand--"farewell, and be
+of good cheer!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+PROSPECTS BRIGHTEN.
+
+    Thus far our fortune keeps an onward course,
+    And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
+
+                          --Shakespeare.
+
+
+Leaving Mrs. Le Noir, Traverse went down to the stable, saddled the
+horse that had been allotted to his use, and set off for a long day's
+journey to New Orleans, where late at night he arrived, and put up at
+the St. Charles.
+
+He slept deeply from fatigue until late the next morning, when he was
+awakened by the sounds of trumpets, drums and fifes, and by general
+rejoicing.
+
+He arose and looked from his windows to ascertain the cause, and saw
+the square full of people in a state of the highest excitement,
+watching for a military procession coming up the street.
+
+It was the United States troops under their gallant commanders, who had
+landed from the steamboats that morning and were now marching from the
+quays up to their quarters at the St. Charles.
+
+As they advanced, Traverse, eagerly upon the lookout, recognized his
+own regiment.
+
+Traverse withdrew from the window, hurriedly completed his toilet, and
+hastened down-stairs, where he soon found himself face to face with
+Herbert, who warmly grasping his hand, exclaimed:
+
+"You here, old friend? Why, I thought you were down in East Feliciana,
+with your interesting patient!"
+
+"It is for the interest of that 'interesting patient' that I am here,
+Herbert! Did I tell you, she was one of the victims of that demon Le
+Noir?"
+
+"No: but I know it from another source. I know as much, or more of her,
+perhaps, than you do!"
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Traverse, in surprise.
+
+"Yes! I know, for instance, that she is Capitola's mother, the
+long-lost widow of Eugene Le Noir, the mistress of the Hidden House,
+and the ghost who drew folks' curtains there at night."
+
+"Then you do know something about her, but how did you arrive at the
+knowledge?"
+
+"By the 'last dying speech and confession' of Gabriel Le Noir, confided
+to me to be used in restitution after his decease. But, come! There is
+the second bell. Our mess are going in to breakfast; join us and
+afterwards you and I will retire and compare notes," said Herbert,
+taking the arm of his friend as they followed the moving crowd into the
+breakfast parlor.
+
+After the morning meal was concluded the friends withdrew together to
+the chamber occupied by Traverse Rocke, where they sat down for mutual
+explanations.
+
+Herbert first related to Traverse all that had occurred from the time
+that the latter left the city of Mexico, including the arrival of
+Craven Le Noir at the dying bed of his father, the subsequent death and
+funeral of Colonel Le Noir, and the late emigration of Craven, who to
+avoid the shame of the approaching revelation, joined a party of
+explorers bound for the recently discovered gold mines in California.
+
+"The civilized world is then rid of two villains at once," said the
+uncompromising Traverse.
+
+Herbert took from his pocket the confession of Colonel Le Noir, which
+he said he was now at liberty to use as he thought proper for the ends
+of justice. That certain parts of the disclosure intimately concerned
+Traverse Rocke, to whom he should therefore read the whole. The
+confession may be briefly summed up as follows:
+
+The first item was that he had sought to win the affections of Marah
+Rocke, the supposed wife of Major Ira Warfield; he had sedulously
+waylaid and followed her with his suit during the whole summer; she had
+constantly repulsed and avoided him; he, listening to his own evil
+passions, had bribed her maid to admit him in the dark to Marah's
+cabin, upon a certain night when her husband was to be absent; that the
+unexpected return of Major Warfield, who had tracked him to the house,
+had prevented the success of his evil purpose, but had not saved the
+reputation of the innocent wife, whose infuriated husband would not
+believe her ignorant of the presence of the villain in her house; that
+he, Gabriel Le Noir, in hatred as well as in shame, had forborne until
+now to make the explanation, which he hoped might now, late in life as
+it was, bring the long-severed pair together, and establish Marah Rocke
+and her son in their legal and social rights.
+
+The second item in the black list of crime was the death of his elder
+brother, whom he declared he had not intended to kill. He said that,
+having contracted large debts which he was unable to pay he had
+returned secretly from his distant quarters to demand the money from
+his brother, who had often helped him; that, meeting his brother in the
+woods, he made this request. Eugene reproached him for his extravagance
+and folly, and refused to aid him; an encounter ensued, in which Eugene
+fell. He, Gabriel Le Noir, fled pursued by the curse of Cain, and
+reached his own quarters before even his absence had been suspected.
+His agency in the death of his brother was not suspected even by his
+accomplice in other crimes, the outlaw called Black Donald, who,
+thinking to gain an ascendency over one whom he called his patron,
+actually pretended to have made way with Eugene Le Noir for the sake of
+his younger brother.
+
+The third item of confession was the abduction of the nurse and babe of
+the young widow of Eugene, the circumstances of which are already known
+to the reader.
+
+The fourth in the dreadful list comprised the deceptions, wrongs and
+persecutions practised upon Madame Eugene Le Noir, and the final false
+imprisonment of that lady under the charge of insanity, in the private
+madhouse kept by Doctor Pierre St. Jean, in East Feliciana.
+
+In conclusion, he spoke of the wrongs done to Clara Day, whose pardon,
+with that of others, he begged. And he prayed that in consideration of
+his son, as little publicity as was possible might be given to these
+crimes.
+
+During the reading of this confession, the eyes of Traverse Rocke were
+fixed in wonder and half incredulity upon the face of Herbert, and at
+its conclusion he said:
+
+"What a mass of crime! But that we may not dare to question the mercy
+of the Lord, I should ask if these were sins that he would ever pardon!
+Herbert, it appalls me to think of it!"
+
+Then, after deep thought, he added:
+
+"This, then, was the secret of my dear mother's long unhappiness. She
+was Major Warfield's forsaken wife. Herbert, I feel as though I never,
+never could forgive my father!"
+
+"Traverse, if Major Warfield had wilfully and wantonly forsaken your
+mother, I should say that your resentment was natural and right. Who
+should be an honorable woman's champion if not her own son? But Major
+Warfield, as well as his wife, was more sinned against than sinning.
+Your parents were both victims of a cruel conspiracy, and he suffered
+as much in his way as she did in hers," said Herbert.
+
+"I always thought, somehow, that my dear mother was a forsaken wife.
+She never told me so, but there was something about her circumstances
+and manners, her retired life, her condition, so much below her
+deserts, her never speaking of her husband's death, which would have
+been natural for her to do, had she been a widow--all, somehow, went to
+give me the impression that my father had abandoned us. Lately I had
+suspected Major Warfield had something to do with the sad affair,
+though I never once suspected him to be my father. So much for natural
+instincts," said Traverse, with a melancholy smile.
+
+"Traverse," said Herbert, with the design of drawing him off from sad
+remembrances of his mother's early trials. "Traverse, this confession,
+signed and witnessed as it is, will wonderfully simplify your course of
+action in regard to the deliverance of Madame Le Noir."
+
+"Yes; so it will," said Traverse, with animation. "There will be no
+need now of applying to law, especially if you will come down with me
+to East Feliciana and bring the confession with you."
+
+"I will set out with you this very morning, if you wish, as I am on
+leave. What! To hasten to the release of Capitola's mother, I would set
+out at midnight and ride straight on for a week!"
+
+"Ah! there is no need of such extravagant feats of travel. It is now
+ten o'clock; if we start within an hour we can reach the 'Calm Retreat'
+by eleven o'clock to-night."
+
+"En avant, then," exclaimed Herbert, rising and ringing the bell.
+
+Traverse ordered horses, and in twenty minutes the friends were on the
+road to East Feliciana.
+
+They reached the "Calm Retreat" so late that night that there was none
+but the porter awake to admit them.
+
+Traverse took his friend up to his own dormitory, saying, laughingly:
+
+"It is an unappreciable distance of time since you and I occupied the
+same bed, Herbert."
+
+"Yes; but it is not the first, by five hundred times. Do you remember,
+Traverse, the low attic where we used to sleep, and how on stormy
+nights we used to listen to the rain pattering on the roof, within two
+or three inches of our faces, and how we used to be half afraid to turn
+over for fear that we should bump our heads against the timbers of the
+ceiling?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Traverse.
+
+And thereupon the two friends launched into a discussion of old times,
+when the two widows and their sons lived together--the two women
+occupying one bed, and the two boys the other. And this discussion they
+kept up until long after they retired, and until sleep overtook them.
+
+The next morning Traverse conducted his friend down to the breakfast
+parlor, to introduce him to Doctor St. Jean, who, as soon as he
+perceived his young medical assistant, sprang forward exclaiming:
+
+"Grand ciel! Is this then you? Have you then returned? What for did you
+run away with my horse?"
+
+"I went to New Orleans in great haste, upon very important business,
+sir."
+
+"Grand Dieu! I should think so, when you ride off on my horse without
+saying a word. If it had been my ambling pony I should have been in
+despair, I! Your business so hasty and so important was accomplished, I
+hope."
+
+"Yes; I did my errand with less trouble than I had anticipated, owing
+to the happy circumstance of meeting my friend here, who has come down
+hither connected with the same business."
+
+"Ah! vera happy to see your friend. In the medical profession, I
+suppose?"
+
+"No, sir; in the army. Allow me to present him. Major Herbert Greyson,
+of the --th Regiment of Cavalry."
+
+"Ou! ay! Grand ciel! This is the brave, the distinguished, the
+illustrious officer, so honorably mentioned in the dispatches of the
+invincible Taylor and the mighty Scott!" said the little Frenchman,
+bowing his night-capped head down to his slippery toes.
+
+Herbert smiled as he returned the bow. And then the little French
+doctor, turning to Traverse said:
+
+"But your business, so important and so hasty, which has brought this
+officer so illustrious down here--what is it, my friend?"
+
+"We will have the honor of explaining to Monsieur le Docteur, over our
+coffee, if he will oblige us by ordering the servant to retire," said
+Traverse, who sometimes adopted, in speaking to the old Frenchman, his
+own formal style of politeness. "Go, then, John!"
+
+"Oui, oui, certainement! Allez donc, John!"
+
+As soon as the man had gone, Traverse said:
+
+"I propose to discuss this business over our coffee, because it will
+save time without interfering with our morning meal, and I know that
+immediately afterwards you will go your usual round of visits to your
+patients."
+
+"Eh bien! proceed, my son! proceed!"
+
+Traverse immediately commenced and related all that was necessary
+concerning the fraud practised upon the institution by introducing into
+it an unfortunate woman, represented to be mad, but really only
+sorrowful, nervous and excitable. And to prove the truth of his words,
+Traverse desired Herbert to read from the confession the portion
+relating to this fraud, and to show the doctor the signature of the
+principal and the witness.
+
+To have seen the old French doctor then! I rejoice in a Frenchman, for
+the frank abandon with which he gives himself up to his emotions! Our
+doctor, after staring at the confession, took hold of the top of his
+blue tasseled night-cap, pulled it off his head and threw it violently
+upon the floor! Then remembering that he was exposing a cranium as bald
+as a peeled potato, he suddenly caught it up again, clapped it upon his
+crown and exclaimed:
+
+"Sacre! Diable!" and other ejaculations dreadful to translate, and
+others again which it would be profane to set down in French or
+English.
+
+Gabriel Le Noir was no longer an officer illustrious, a gentleman noble
+and distinguished, compassionate and tender; he was a robber infamous!
+a villain atrocious, a caitiff ruth, and without remorse!
+
+After breakfast the doctor consented that his young hero, his little
+knight-errant, his dear son, should go to the distressed lady and open
+the good news to her, while the great Major Greyson, the warrior
+invincible, should go around with himself to inspect the institution.
+
+Traverse immediately repaired to the chamber of Mrs. Le Noir, whom he
+found sitting at the window, engaged in some little trifle of
+needlework, the same pale, patient woman that she had first appeared to
+him.
+
+"Ah, you have come! I read good news upon your smiling face, my friend!
+Tell it! I have borne the worst of sorrows! Shall I not have strength
+to bear joy?"
+
+Traverse told her all, and then ended by saying:
+
+"Now, dear madame, it is necessary that we leave this place within two
+hours, as Major Greyson's regiment leaves New Orleans for Washington
+to-morrow, and it is advisable that you go under our protection. We can
+get you a female attendant from the St. Charles."
+
+"Oh, I can be ready in ten minutes! Bless you, I have no fine lady's
+wardrobe to pack up!" replied Mrs. Le Noir, with a smile.
+
+Traverse bowed and went out to procure a carriage from the next
+village. And in half an hour afterwards the whole party took leave of
+Doctor Pierre St. Jean and his "institution incomparable," and set
+forth on their journey to New Orleans, whence in two days afterwards
+they sailed for the North. And now, dear reader, let you and I take the
+fast boat and get home before them, to see our little Cap, and find out
+what adventures she is now engaged in, and how she is getting on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+CAPITOLA A CAPITALIST.
+
+        Plumed victory
+    Is truly painted with a cheerful look,
+    Equally distant from proud insolence
+          And sad dejection.
+
+                          --Massinger.
+
+
+How glad I am to get back to my little Cap, for I know very well,
+reader, just as well as if you had told me, that you have been
+grumbling for some time for the want of Cap. But I could not help it,
+for, to tell the truth, I was pining after her myself, which was the
+reason that I could not do half justice to the scenes of the Mexican
+War.
+
+Well, now let us see what Cap has been doing--what oppressors she has
+punished--what victims she has delivered--in a word, what new heroic
+adventures she has achieved.
+
+Well, the trial of Donald Bayne, alias Black Donald, was over. Cap, of
+course, had been compelled to appear against him. During the whole
+course of the trial the court-room was crowded with a curious
+multitude, "from far and near," eager to get sight of the notorious
+outlaw.
+
+Black Donald, through the whole ordeal, deported himself with a gallant
+and joyous dignity, that would have better become a triumph than a
+trial.
+
+He was indicted upon several distinct counts, the most serious of
+which--the murder of the solitary widow and her daughter in the forest
+cabin, and the assassination of Eugene Le Noir in the woods near the
+Hidden House--were sustained only by circumstantial evidence. But the
+aggregate weight of all these, together with his very bad reputation,
+was sufficient to convict him, and Black Donald was sentenced to death.
+
+This dreadful doom, most solemnly pronounced by the judge was received
+by the prisoner with a loud laugh, and the words:
+
+"You're out o' your reckoning now, cap'n! I never was a saint, the Lord
+knows, but my hands are free from blood guiltiness! There's an honest
+little girl that believes me--don't you?" he said, turning laughingly
+to our little heroine.
+
+"Yes, I do!" said Cap, bursting into tears; "and I am sorry for you as
+ever I can be, Donald Bayne."
+
+"Bother! It was sure to come to this first or last, and I knew it! Now,
+to prove you do not think this rugged hand of mine stained with blood,
+give it a friendly shake!" said the condemned man. And before Old
+Hurricane could prevent her, Capitola had jumped over two or three
+intervening seats and climbed up to the side of the dock, and reached
+up her hand to the prisoner, saying:
+
+"God help you, Donald Bayne, in your great trouble, and I will do all I
+can to help you in this world. I will go to the Governor myself, and
+tell him I know you never did any murder."
+
+"Remove the prisoner," said the judge, peremptorily.
+
+The constables approached and led away Black Donald.
+
+Old Hurricane rushed upon Cap, seized her, and, shaking her fiercely,
+exclaimed, under his breath:
+
+"You--you--you--you New York hurrah boy! You foundling! You vagabond!
+You vagrant! You brat! You beggar! Will you never be a lady? To go and
+shake hands with that ruffian!"
+
+"Sure, uncle, that's nothing new; I have shaken hands with you often
+enough!"
+
+"Demmy, you--you--you New York trash, what do you mean by that?"
+
+"Of course I mean, uncle, that you are as rough a ruffian as ever
+Donald Bayne was!"
+
+"Demmy, I'll murder you!"
+
+"Don't, uncle; they have an uncivilized way here of hanging murderers,"
+said Cap, shaking herself free of Old Hurricane's grasp, and hastening
+out of the court-room to mount her horse and ride home.
+
+One night after tea, Capitola and her uncle occupied their usual seats
+by the little bright wood fire, that the chilly evening and keen
+mountain air made agreeable, even in May.
+
+Old Hurricane was smoking his pipe and reading his paper.
+
+Cap was sitting with her slender fingers around her throat, which she,
+with a shudder, occasionally compressed:
+
+"Well, that demon Black Donald will be hanged the 26th of July," said
+Old Hurricane, exultingly, "and we shall get rid of one villain, Cap."
+
+"I pity Black Donald, and I can't bear to think of his being hanged! It
+quite breaks my heart to think that I was compelled to bring him to
+such a fate!"
+
+"Oh, that reminds me! The reward offered for the apprehension of Black
+Donald, to which you were entitled, Cap, was paid over to me for you. I
+placed it to your account in the Agricultural Bank."
+
+"I don't want it! I won't touch it! The price of blood! It would burn
+my fingers!" said Cap.
+
+"Oh, very well! A thousand dollars won't go a-begging," said Old
+Hurricane.
+
+"Uncle, it breaks my heart to think of Black Donald's execution! It
+just does! It must be dreadful, this hanging! I have put my finger
+around my throat and squeezed it, to know how it feels, and it is
+awful. Even a little squeeze makes my head feel as if it would burst,
+and I have to let go! Oh, it is horrible to think of!"
+
+"Well, Cap, it wasn't intended to be as pleasant as tickling, you know.
+I wish it was twenty times worse! It would serve him right, the
+villain! I wish it was lawful to break him on the wheel--I do!"
+
+"Uncle, that is very wicked in you! I declare I won't have it! I'll
+write a petition to the Governor to commute his sentence, and carry it
+all around the county myself!"
+
+"You wouldn't get a soul to sign it to save your life, much less his."
+
+"I'll go to the Governor myself, and beg him to pardon Donald Bayne!"
+
+"Ha! ha! ha! the Governor would not do it to save all our lives, and if
+he were to do such an outrageous thing he might whistle for his
+reelection!"
+
+"I declare, Donald Bayne shall not be hanged--and so there!" said Cap,
+passionately.
+
+"Whe-ew! You'll deliver him by the strength of your arm, my little
+Donna Quixota."
+
+"I'll save him one way or another, now mind I tell you! He sinned more
+against me than against anybody else, and so I have the best right of
+anybody in the world to forgive him, and I do forgive him! And he
+shan't be hanged! I say it!"
+
+"You say it! Ha! ha! ha! Who are you, to turn aside the laws?"
+
+"I, Capitola Black, say that Donald Bayne, not having deserved to be
+hanged, shall not be hanged! And in one way or another I'll keep my
+word!"
+
+And Cap did her best to keep it. The next morning she mounted Gyp and
+rode up to Tip Top, where she employed the village lawyer to draw up a
+petition to the Governor for the commutation of Donald Bayne's
+sentence. And then she rode all over the county to try to get
+signatures to the document. But all in vain. People of every age and
+condition too thoroughly feared and hated the famous outlaw, and too
+earnestly wished to be entirely and forever rid of him, to sign any
+petition for a commutation of his sentence. If a petition for his
+instant execution had been carried around it would have stood a much
+better chance of success.
+
+Cap spent many days in her fruitless enterprise, but at last gave it
+up--but by no means in despair, for--
+
+"I'll save his life, yet! by one means or another! I can't change
+clothes with him as I did with Clara; he's too big, but one way or
+other I'll save him," said Cap, to herself. She said it to no one else,
+for the more difficult the enterprise the more determined she was to
+succeed, and the more secretive she grew as to her measures.
+
+In the mean time the outlaw, double-ironed, was confined in the
+condemned cell, the strongest portion of the county jail. All persons
+were strictly prohibited from visiting him, except certain of the
+clergy.
+
+They did all they could to bring the outlaw to a sense of his
+condition, to prepare him to meet his fate and to induce him to make a
+confession and give up the retreat of his band.
+
+And Donald listened to them with respect, acknowledged himself a great
+sinner, and knelt with them when they knelt to pray for him.
+
+But he denied that he was guilty of the murders for which he had been
+doomed to die, and he utterly refused to give up his old companions,
+replying to the ministers in something like these words:
+
+"Poor wretches! They are no more fit to die than I am, and a condemned
+cell, with the thought of the scaffold before him, are not exactly the
+most favorable circumstances under which a man might experience sincere
+repentance, my masters!"
+
+And so, while the convict listened with docility to all that the
+ministers had to say, he steadily persisted in asserting his own
+innocence of the crimes for which he was condemned, and in his refusal
+to deliver up his companions.
+
+Meantime, Capitola, at Hurricane Hall, was doing all she could to
+discover or invent means to save the life of Black Donald. But still
+she said no more about it even to Old Hurricane.
+
+One evening, while Cap was sitting by the fire with her thoughts busy
+with this subject, her uncle came in saying:
+
+"Cap, I have got some curiosities to show you!"
+
+"What are they?" said Cap, languidly.
+
+"A set of burglar's tools, supposed to belong to some member of Black
+Donald's band! One of my negroes found them in the woods in the
+neighborhood of the Devil's Punch Bowl! I wrote to the sheriff
+concerning them, and he requested me to take care of them until he
+should have occasion to call for them. Look! Did you ever see such
+things?" said Old Hurricane, setting down a canvas bag upon the table
+and turning out from it all sorts of strange looking instruments--tiny
+saws, files, punches, screws, picks, etc., etc., etc.
+
+Cap looked at them with the most curious interest, while Old Hurricane
+explained their supposed uses.
+
+"It must have been an instrument of this sort, Cap, that that blamed
+demon, Donald, gave to the imprisoned men to file their fetters off
+with!" he said, showing a thin file of tempered steel.
+
+"That!" said Cap. "Hand it here! Let me see it!" And she examined it
+with the deepest interest.
+
+"I wonder what they force locks with?" she inquired.
+
+"Why, this, and this, and this!" said Old Hurricane, producing a
+burglar's pick, saw and chisel.
+
+Cap took them and scrutinized them so attentively that Old Hurricane
+burst out into a loud laugh, exclaiming:
+
+"You'll dream of house-breakers to-night, Cap!" and taking the tools,
+he put them all back in the little canvas bag, and put the bag up on a
+high shelf of the parlor closet.
+
+The next morning, while Cap was arranging flowers on the parlor
+mantelpiece, Old Hurricane burst in upon her with his hands full of
+letters and newspapers, and his heart full of exultation--throwing up
+his hat and cutting an alarming caper for a man of his age, he
+exclaimed:
+
+"Hurrah, Cap! Hurrah! Peace is at last proclaimed and our victorious
+troops are on their way home! It's all in the newspapers, and here are
+letters from Herbert, dated from New Orleans! Here are letters for you,
+and here are some for me! I have not opened them yet! Hurrah, Cap!
+Hurrah!"
+
+"Hurrah, Uncle! Hurrah!" cried Cap, tossing up her flowers and rushing
+into his arms.
+
+"Don't squeeze me into an apoplexy, you little bear," said Old
+Hurricane, turning purple in the face, from the savage hug of Cap's
+joyful arms. "Come along and sit down with me, at this table, and let
+us see what the letters have brought us."
+
+They took their seats opposite each other at a small table, and Old
+Hurricane threw the whole mail between them, and began to pick out the
+letters.
+
+"That's for you, Cap. This is for me," he said, pitching out two in the
+handwriting of Herbert Greyson.
+
+Cap opened hers and commenced reading. It was in fact Herbert's first
+downright, practical proposal of marriage, in which he begged that
+their union might take place as soon as he should return, and that as
+he had written to his uncle by the same mail, upon another subject,
+which he did not wish to mix up with his own marriage, she would, upon
+a proper opportunity, let her uncle know of their plans.
+
+"Upon my word, he takes my consent very coolly as a matter of course,
+and even forces upon me the disagreeable duty of asking myself of my
+own uncle! Who ever heard of such proceedings? If he were not coming
+home from the wars, I declare I should get angry; but I won't get upon
+my dignity with Herbert--dear, darling, sweet Herbert. If it were
+anybody else, shouldn't they know the difference between their liege
+lady and Tom Trotter? However, as it's Herbert, here goes! Now, I
+suppose the best way to ask myself of uncle, for Herbert, will be just
+to hand him over this letter. The dear knows it isn't so over and above
+affectionate that I should hesitate. Uncle," said Cap, pulling Old
+Hurricane's coat sleeve.
+
+"Don't bother me, Cap," exclaimed Major Warfield, who sat there holding
+a large, closely written document in his hand, with his great round
+eyes strained from their sockets, as they passed along the lies with
+devouring interest.
+
+"Well, I do declare! I do believe he has received a proposal of
+marriage himself," cried Cap, shooting much nearer the truth than she
+knew.
+
+Old Hurricane did not hear her. Starting up with the document in his
+hand, he rushed from the room and went and shut himself up in his own
+study.
+
+"I vow, some widow has offered to marry him," said Cap, to herself.
+
+Old Hurricane did not come to dinner, nor to supper. But after supper,
+when Capitola's wonder was at its climax, and while she was sitting by
+the little wood fire that that chilly evening required, Old Hurricane
+came in, looking very unlike himself, in an humble, confused,
+deprecating, yet happy manner, like one who had at once a mortifying
+confession to make, a happy secret to tell.
+
+"Cap," he said, trying to suppress a smile, and growing purple in the
+face.
+
+--"Oh, yes! You've come to tell me, I suppose, that you're going to put
+a step-aunt-in-law over my head, only you don't know how to announce
+it," answered Capitola, little knowing how closely she had come to the
+truth; when, to her unbounded astonishment, Old Hurricane answered:
+
+"Yes, my dear, that's just it!"
+
+"What! My eyes! Oh, crickey!" cried Cap, breaking into her newsboy's
+slang, from mere consternation.
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is perfectly true!" replied the old man, growing
+furiously red, and rubbing his face.
+
+"Oh! oh! oh! Hold me! I'm 'kilt!'" cried Cap, falling back in her chair
+in an inextinguishable fit of laughter, that shook her whole frame. She
+laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes and
+looked at Old Hurricane, and every time she saw his confused and happy
+face she burst into a fresh paroxysm that seemed to threaten her life
+or her reason.
+
+"Who is the happy---- Oh, I can't speak! Oh, I'm 'kilt' entirely!" she
+cried, breaking off in the midst of her question and falling into fresh
+convulsions.
+
+"It's no new love, Cap; it's my old wife!" said Old Hurricane, wiping
+his face.
+
+This brought Capitola up with a jerk! She sat bolt upright, gazing at
+him with her eyes fixed as if in death.
+
+"Cap," said Old Hurricane, growing more and more confused, "I've been a
+married man more years than I like to think of! Cap, I've--I've a wife
+and grown-up son! Why do you sit there staring at me, you little demon?
+Why don't you say something to encourage me, you little wretch?"
+
+"Go on!" said Cap, without removing her eyes.
+
+"Cap, I was--a jealous passionate--Demmy, confession isn't in my line.
+A diabolical villain made me believe that my poor little wife wasn't
+good!"
+
+"There! I knew you'd lay it on somebody else. Men always do that," said
+Cap, to herself.
+
+"He was mortally wounded in Mexico. He made a confession and confided
+it to Herbert, who has just sent me an attested copy. It was Le Noir.
+My poor wife lived under her girlhood's name of Marah Rocke." Old
+Hurricane made a gulp, and his voice broke down.
+
+Cap understood all now, as well as if she had known it as long as Old
+Hurricane had. She comprehended his extreme agitation upon a certain
+evening, years ago, when Herbert Greyson had mentioned Marah Rocke's
+name, and his later and more lasting disturbance upon accidentally
+meeting Marah Rocke at the Orphans' Court.
+
+This revelation filled her with strange and contradictory emotions. She
+was glad; she was angry with him; she was sorry for him; she was
+divided between divers impulses to hug and kiss him, to cry over him,
+and to seize him and give him a good shaking! And between them she did
+nothing at all.
+
+Old Hurricane was again the first to speak.
+
+"What was that you wished to say to me, Cap, when I ran away from you
+this morning?"
+
+"Why, uncle, that Herbert wants to follow your example,
+and--and--and----" Cap blushed and broke down.
+
+"I thought as much. Getting married at his age! A boy of twenty-five!"
+said the veteran in contempt.
+
+"Taking a wife at your age, uncle, an infant of sixty-six!"
+
+"Bother, Cap! Let me see that fellow's letter to you."
+
+Cap handed it to him and the old man read it.
+
+"If I were to object, you'd get married all the same! Demmy! you're
+both of age. Do as you please!"
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Cap, demurely.
+
+"And now, Cap, one thing is to be noticed. Herbert says, both in your
+letter and in mine, that they were to start to return the day after
+these letters were posted. These letters have been delayed in the mail.
+Consequently we may expect our hero here every day. But Cap, my dear,
+you must receive them. For to-morrow morning, please the Lord, I shall
+set out for Staunton and Willow Heights, and go and kneel down at the
+feet of my wife, and ask her pardon on my knees!"
+
+Cap was no longer divided between the wish to pull Old Hurricane's gray
+beard and to cry over him. She threw herself at once into his arms and
+exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, uncle! God bless you! God bless you! God bless you! It has come
+very late in life, but may you be happy with her through all the ages
+of eternity!"
+
+Old Hurricane was deeply moved by the sympathy of his little madcap,
+and pressed her to his bosom, saying:
+
+"Cap, my dear, if you had not set your heart upon Herbert, I would
+marry you to my son Traverse, and you two should inherit all that I
+have in the world! But never mind, Cap, you have an inheritance of your
+own. Cap, Cap, my dear, did it ever occur to you that you might have
+had a father and mother?"
+
+"Yes! often! But I used to think you were my father, and that my mother
+was dead."
+
+"I wish to the Lord that I had been your father, Cap, and that Marah
+Rocke had been your mother! But Cap, your father was a better man than
+I, and your mother as good a woman as Marah. And Cap, my dear, you
+vagabond, you vagrant, you brat, you beggar, you are the sole heiress
+of the Hidden House estate and all its enormous wealth! What do you
+think of that, now? What do you think of that, you beggar?" cried Old
+Hurricane.
+
+A shriek pierced the air, and Capitola starting up, stood before Old
+Hurricane, crying in an impassioned voice:
+
+"Uncle! Uncle! Don't mock me! Don't overwhelm me! I do not care for
+wealth or power; but tell me of the parents who possessing both, cast
+off their unfortunate child--a girl, too! to meet the sufferings and
+perils of such a life as mine had been, if I had not met you!"
+
+"Cap, my dear, hush! Your parents were no more to blame for their
+seeming abandonment of you, than I was to blame for the desertion of my
+poor wife. We are all the victims of one villain, who has now gone to
+his account, Capitola. I mean Gabriel Le Noir. Sit down, my dear, and I
+will read the copy of his whole confession, and afterwards, in
+addition, tell you all I know upon the subject!"
+
+Capitola resumed her seat, Major Warfield read the confession of
+Gabriel Le Noir, and afterwards continued the subject by relating the
+events of that memorable Hallowe'en when he was called out in a snow
+storm to take the dying deposition of the nurse who had been abducted
+with the infant Capitola.
+
+And at the end of his narrative Cap knew as much of her own history as
+the reader has known all along.
+
+"And I have a mother, and I shall even see her soon! You told me she
+was coming home with the party--did you not, Uncle?" said Capitola.
+
+"Yes, my child. Only think of it! I saved the daughter from the streets
+of New York, and my son saved the mother from her prison at the
+madhouse! And now, my dear Cap, I must bid you good night and go to
+bed, for I intend to rise to-morrow morning long before daylight, to
+ride to Tip Top to meet the Staunton stage," said the old man, kissing
+Capitola.
+
+Just as he was about to leave the room he was arrested by a loud
+ringing and knocking at the door.
+
+Wool was heard running along the front hall to answer the summons.
+
+"Cap, I shouldn't wonder much if that was our party. I wish it may be,
+for I should like to welcome them before I leave home to fetch my
+wife," said Old Hurricane, in a voice of agitation.
+
+And while they were still eagerly listening, the door was thrown open
+by Wool, who announced:
+
+"Marse Herbert, which I mean to say, Major Herbert Greyson;" and
+Herbert entered and was grasped by the two hands of Old Hurricane, who
+exclaimed:
+
+"Ah, Herbert, my lad! I have got your letters. It is all right,
+Herbert, or going to be so. You shall marry Cap when you like. And I am
+going to-morrow morning to throw myself at the feet of my wife."
+
+"No need of your going so far, dear sir, no need. Let me speak to my
+own dear girl a moment, and then I shall have something to say to you,"
+said Herbert, leaving the old man in suspense, and going to salute
+Capitola, who returned his fervent embrace by an honest, downright
+frank kiss, that made no secret of itself.
+
+"Capitola! My uncle has told you all?"
+
+"Every single bit! So don't lose time by telling it all over again! Is
+my mother with you?"
+
+"Yes! and I will bring her in, in one moment; but first I must bring in
+some one else," said Herbert, kissing the hand of Capitola and turning
+to Old Hurricane, to whom he said:
+
+"You need not travel far to find Marah. We took Staunton in our way
+and brought her and Clara along--Traverse!" he said going to the
+door--"bring in your mother."
+
+And the next instant Traverse entered with the wife of Major Warfield
+upon his arm.
+
+Old Hurricane started forward to meet her, exclaiming in a broken
+voice:
+
+"Marah, my dear Marah, God may forgive me, but can you--can you ever do
+so?" And he would have sunk at her feet, but that she prevented, by
+meeting him and silently placing both her hands in his. And so quietly
+Marah's forgiveness was expressed, and the reconciliation sealed.
+
+Meanwhile Herbert went out and brought in Mrs. Le Noir and Clara. Mrs.
+Le Noir, with a Frenchwoman's impetuosity, hurried to her daughter and
+clasped her to her heart.
+
+Cap gave one hurried glance at the beautiful pale woman that claimed
+from her a daughter's love and then, returning the caress, she said:
+
+"Oh, mamma! Oh, mamma! If I were only a boy instead of a girl, I would
+thrash that Le Noir within an inch of his life! But I forgot! He has
+gone to his account."
+
+Old Hurricane was at this moment shaking hands with his son, Traverse,
+who presently took occasion to lead up and introduce his betrothed
+wife, Clara Day, to her destined father-in-law.
+
+Major Warfield received her with all a soldier's gallantry, a
+gentleman's courtesy and a father's tenderness.
+
+He next shook hands with his old acquaintance, Mrs. Le Noir.
+
+And then supper was ordered and the evening was passed in general and
+comparative reminiscences and cheerful conversation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+"THERE SHALL BE LIGHT AT THE EVENTIDE."--_Holy Bible._
+
+    They shall be blessed exceedingly, their store
+    Grow daily, weekly more and more,
+    And peace so multiply around,
+    Their very hearth seems holy ground.
+
+                          --Mary Howitt.
+
+
+The marriage of Capitola and of Herbert and that of Clara and of
+Traverse was fixed to take place upon the first of August, which was
+the twenty-first birthday of the doctor's daughter, and also the
+twenty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Ira Warfield and Marah
+Rocke.
+
+German husbands and wives have a beautiful custom of keeping the
+twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage by a festival, which they
+call the "Silver Wedding." And thus Major Warfield and Marah resolved
+to keep this first of August, and further to honor the occasion by
+uniting the hands of their young people.
+
+There was but one cloud upon the happiness of Capitola; this was the
+approaching execution of Black Donald.
+
+No one else seemed to care about the matter, until a circumstance
+occurred which painfully aroused their interest.
+
+This was the fact that the Governor, through the solicitation of
+certain ministers of the gospel who represented the condemned as
+utterly unprepared to meet his fate, had respited him until the first
+of August, at which time he wished the prisoner to be made to
+understand that his sentence would certainly, without further delay, be
+carried into effect.
+
+This carried a sort of consternation into the heart of every member of
+the Hurricane Hall household!
+
+The idea of Black Donald being hanged in their immediate neighborhood
+upon their wedding day was appalling!
+
+Yet there was no help for it, unless their wedding was postponed to
+another occasion than that upon which Old Hurricane had set his heart.
+No one knew what to do.
+
+Cap fretted herself almost sick. She had cudgeled her brains to no
+purpose. She had not been able to think of any plan by which she could
+deliver Black Donald. Meantime the last days of July were rapidly
+passing away.
+
+Black Donald in the condemned cell maintained his firmness, resolutely
+asserting his innocence of any capital crime, and persistently refusing
+to give up his band. As a last motive of confession, the paper written
+by Gabriel Le Noir upon his death-bed was shown him. He laughed a loud,
+crackling laugh, and said that was all true, but that he, for his part,
+never had intended to harm a hair of Capitola's head; that he had taken
+a fancy to the girl when he had first seen her, and had only wanted to
+carry her off and force her into a marriage with himself; that he had
+pretended to consent to her death only for the purpose of saving her
+life.
+
+When Cap heard this she burst into tears and said she believed it was
+true.
+
+The night before the wedding of Capitola and Herbert, and Clara and
+Traverse, and of the execution of Black Donald, came.
+
+At Hurricane Hall the two prospective bridegrooms were busy with Old
+Hurricane over some papers that had to be prepared in the library.
+
+The two intended brides were engaged, under the direction of Mrs.
+Warfield, in her dressing-room, consulting over certain proprieties of
+the approaching festival. But Capitola could give only a half attention
+to the discussion. Her thoughts were with the poor condemned man who
+was to die the next day.
+
+And suddenly she flew out of the room, summoned her groom, mounted her
+horse, and rode away.
+
+In his condemned cell Black Donald was bitterly realizing how
+unprepared he was to die, and how utterly impossible it was for him to
+prepare in the short hours left him. He tried to pray, but could form
+no other petition than that he might be allowed, if possible, a little
+longer to fit himself to meet his Creator. From his cell he could hear
+the striking of the great clock in the prison hall. And as every hour
+struck it seemed "a nail driven in his coffin."
+
+At eight o'clock that night the warden sat in his little office,
+consulting the sheriff about some details of the approaching execution.
+While they were still in discussion, a turnkey opened the door, saying:
+
+"A lady to see the warden."
+
+And Capitola stood before them!
+
+"Miss Black!" exclaimed both sheriff and warden, rising in surprise,
+gazing upon our heroine, and addressing her by the name under which
+they had first known her.
+
+"Yes, gentlemen, it is I. The truth is, I cannot rest to-night without
+saying a few words of comfort to the poor man who is to die to-morrow.
+So I came hither, attended by my groom, to know if I may see him for a
+few minutes."
+
+"Miss Black, here is the sheriff. It is just as he pleases. My orders
+were so strict that had you come to me alone I should have been obliged
+to refuse you."
+
+"Mr. Keepe, you will not refuse me," said Capitola, turning to the
+sheriff.
+
+"Miss Black, my rule is to admit no one but the officers of the prison
+and the ministers of the gospel, to see the condemned! This we have
+been obliged to observe as a measure of safety. This convict, as you
+are aware, is a man of consummate cunning, so that it is really
+wonderful he has not found means to make his escape, closely as he has
+been watched and strongly as he has been guarded."
+
+"Ah, but Mr. Keepe, his cunning was no match for mine, you know!" said
+Capitola, smiling.
+
+"Ha-ha-ha! so it was not! You took him very cleverly! Very cleverly,
+indeed! In fact, if it had not been for you, I doubt if ever we should
+have captured Black Donald at all. The authorities are entirely
+indebted to you for the capture of this notorious outlaw. And really
+that being the case, I do think it would be straining a point to refuse
+you admittance to see him. So, Miss Black, you have my authority for
+visiting the condemned man in his cell and giving him all the comfort
+you can. I would attend you thither myself, but I have got to go to see
+the captain of a militia company to be on the scene of action
+to-morrow," said the sheriff, who soon after took leave of the warden
+and departed.
+
+The warden then called a turnkey and ordered him to attend Miss Black
+to the condemned cell.
+
+The young turnkey took up a lamp and a great key and walked before,
+leading the way down-stairs to a cell in the interior of the basement,
+occupied by Black Donald.
+
+He unlocked the door, admitted Capitola, and then walked off to the
+extremity of the lobby, as he was accustomed to do when he let in the
+preachers.
+
+Capitola thanked heaven for this chance, for had he not done so she
+would have to invent some excuse for getting rid of him.
+
+She entered the cell. It was very dimly lighted from the great lamp
+that hung in the lobby, nearly opposite the cell door.
+
+By its light she saw Black Donald, not only doubly ironed but confined
+by a chain and staple to the wall. He was very pale and haggard from
+long imprisonment and great anxiety.
+
+Cap's heart bled for the poor banned and blighted outlaw, who had not a
+friend in the world to speak a kind word to him in his trouble.
+
+He also recognized her, and rising and coming to meet her as far as the
+length of the chain would permit, he held out his hand and said:
+
+"I am very glad you have come, little one; it is very kind of you to
+come and see a poor fellow in his extremity! You are the first female
+that has been in this cell since my imprisonment. Think of that, child!
+I wanted to see you, too, I wanted to say to you yourself again, that I
+was never guilty of murder, and that I only seemed to consent to your
+death to save your life! Do you believe this? On the word of a dying
+man it is truth!"
+
+"I do believe you, Donald Bayne," said Capitola, in a broken voice.
+
+"I hear that you have come into your estate. I am glad of it. And they
+tell me that you are going to be married to-morrow! Well! God bless
+you, little one!"
+
+"Oh, Donald Bayne! Can you say God bless me, when it was I who put you
+here?"
+
+"Tut, child, we outlaws bear no malice. Spite is a civilized vice. It
+was a fair contest, child, and you conquered. It's well you did. Give
+me your hand in good will, since I must die to-morrow!"
+
+Capitola gave her hand, and whilst he held it, she stooped and said:
+
+"Donald, I have done everything in the world I could to save your
+life!"
+
+"I know you have, child. May yours be long and happy."
+
+"Donald, may your life be longer and better than you think. I have
+tried all other means of saving you in vain; there is but one means
+left!"
+
+The outlaw started violently, exclaiming:
+
+"Is there one?"
+
+"Donald, yes! There is! I bring you the means of deliverance and
+escape. Heaven knows whether I am doing right--for I do not! I know
+many people would blame me very much, but I hope that He who forgave
+the thief upon the cross and the sinful woman at his feet, will not
+condemn me for following His own compassionate example! For, Donald, as
+I was the person whom you injured most of all others, so I consider
+that I of all others have the best right to pardon you and set you
+free. Oh, Donald! Use well the life I am about to give you, else I
+shall be chargeable with every future sin you commit!"
+
+"In the name of mercy, girl, do not hold out a false hope. I had nerved
+myself to die!"
+
+"But you were not prepared to meet your Maker! Oh, Donald! I hold out
+no false hope! Listen, for I must speak low and quick. I could never be
+happy again if on my wedding-day you should die a felon's death! Here!
+here are tools with the use of which you must be acquainted, for they
+were found in the woods near the Hidden House!" said Capitola,
+producing from her pockets a burglar's lock-pick, saw, chisel, file,
+etc.
+
+Black Donald seized them as a famished wolf might seize his prey.
+
+"Will they do?" inquired Capitola, in breathless anxiety.
+
+"Yes--yes--yes! I can file off my irons, pick every lock, drive back
+every bolt, and dislodge every bar between myself and freedom with
+these instruments! But, child, there is one thing you have forgotten:
+suppose a turnkey or a guard should stop me? You have brought me no
+revolver!"
+
+Capitola turned pale.
+
+"Donald, I could easily have brought you a revolver; but I would not,
+even to save you from to-morrow's death! No, Donald, no! I give you the
+means of freeing yourself, if you can do it, as you may, without
+bloodshed! But, Donald, though your life is not justly forfeited, your
+liberty is, and so I cannot give you the means of taking any one's life
+for the sake of saving your own!"
+
+"You are right," said the outlaw.
+
+"Listen further, Donald. Here are a thousand dollars! I thought never
+to have taken it from the bank, for I would never have used the price
+of blood! But I drew it to-day for you. Take it--it will help you to
+live a better life! When you have picked your way out of this place, go
+to the great elm tree at the back of the old mill, and you will find my
+horse, Gyp, which I shall have tied there. He is very swift. Mount him
+and ride for your life to the nearest seaport, and so escape by a
+vessel to some foreign country. And oh, try to lead a good life, and
+may God redeem you, Donald Bayne! There--conceal your tools and your
+money quickly, for I hear the guard coming. Good-by--and again, God
+redeem you, Donald Bayne!"
+
+"God bless you, brave and tender girl! And God forsake me if I do not
+heed your advice!" and the outlaw pressed the hand she gave him while
+the tears rushed to his eyes.
+
+The guard approached; Capitola turned to meet him. They left the cell
+together and Black Donald was locked in for the last time!
+
+"Oh, I hope, I pray, that he may get off! Oh, what shall I do if he
+doesn't! How can I enjoy my wedding to-morrow! How can I bear the music
+and the dancing and the rejoicing, when I know that a fellow creature
+is in such a strait! Oh, Lord grant that Black Donald may get clear off
+to-night, for he isn't fit to die!" said Cap to herself, as she hurried
+out of the prison.
+
+Her young groom was waiting for her and she mounted her horse and rode
+until they got to the old haunted church at the end of the village,
+when drawing rein, she said:
+
+"Jem, I am very tired. I will wait here and you must just ride back to
+the village, to Mr. Cassell's livery stable, and get a gig, and put
+your horse into it, and come back here to drive me home, for I cannot
+ride."
+
+Jem, who never questioned his imperious little mistress's orders, rode
+off at once to do her bidding.
+
+Cap immediately dismounted from her pony and led him under the deep
+shadows of the elm tree, where she fastened him. Then taking his face
+between her hands, and looking him in the eyes, she said:
+
+"Gyp, my son, you and I have had many a frolic together, but we've got
+to part now! It almost breaks my heart, Gyp, but it is to save a fellow
+creature's life, and it can't be helped! He'll treat you well, for my
+sake, dear Gyp. Gyp, he'll part with his life sooner than sell you!
+Good-by, dear, dear Gyp."
+
+Gyp took all these caresses in a very nonchalant manner, only snorting
+and pawing in reply.
+
+Presently the boy came back, bringing the gig. Cap once more hugged Gyp
+about the neck, pressed her cheek against his mane, and with a
+whispered "Good-by, dear Gyp," sprang into the gig and ordered the boy
+to drive home.
+
+"An' leab the pony, miss?"
+
+"Oh, yes, for the present; everybody knows Gyp--no one will steal him.
+I have left him length of line enough to move around a little and eat
+grass, drink from the brook, or lie down. You can come after him early
+to-morrow morning."
+
+The little groom thought this a queer arrangement, but he was not in
+the habit of criticising his young mistress's actions.
+
+Capitola got home to a late supper and to the anxious inquiries of her
+friends she replied that she had been to the prison to take leave of
+Black Donald, and begged that they would not pursue so painful a
+subject.
+
+And, in respect to Cap's sympathies, they changed the conversation.
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+That night the remnant of Black Donald's band were assembled in their
+first old haunt, the Old Road Inn. They had met for a twofold
+purpose--to bury their old matron, Mother Raven, who, since the death
+of her patron and the apprehension of her captain, had returned to the
+inn to die--and to bewail the fate of their leader, whose execution was
+expected to come off the next day.
+
+The men laid the poor old woman in her woodland grave, and assembled in
+the kitchen to keep a death watch in sympathy with their "unfortunate"
+captain. They gathered around the table, and foaming mugs of ale were
+freely quaffed for "sorrow's dry," they said. But neither laugh, song
+nor jest attended their draughts. They were to keep that night's vigil
+in honor of their captain, and then were to disband and separate
+forever.
+
+Suddenly, in the midst of their heavy grief and utter silence a
+familiar sound was heard--a ringing footstep under the back windows.
+
+And every man leaped to his feet, with looks of wild delight and
+questioning.
+
+And the next instant the door was flung wide open, and the outlaw chief
+stood among them!
+
+Steve stopped rolling and curled himself around Black Donald's neck,
+exclaiming:
+
+"It's you--it's you--it's you!--my dear, my darling--my adored--my
+sweetheart--my prince!--my lord!--my king!--my dear, dear captain!"
+
+Steve, the lazy mulatto, rolled down upon the floor at his master's
+feet, and embraced him in silence.
+
+While Demon Dick growled forth:
+
+"How the foul fiend did you get out?"
+
+And the anxious faces of all the other men silently repeated the
+question.
+
+"Not by any help of yours, boys! But don't think I reproach you, lads!
+Well I know that you could do nothing on earth to save me! No one on
+earth could have helped me except the one who really freed
+me--Capitola!"
+
+"That girl again!" exclaimed Hal, in the extremity of wonder.
+
+Steve stopped rolling, and curled himself around the feet of his master
+and gazed up in stupid astonishment.
+
+"It's to be hoped, then, you've got her at last, captain," said Demon
+Dick.
+
+"No--heaven bless her!--she's in better hands. Now listen, lads, for I
+must talk fast! I have already lost a great deal too much time. I went
+first to the cave in the Punch Bowl, and, not finding you there, came
+here at a venture, where I am happy to meet you for the last time--for
+to-night we disband forever!"
+
+"'Twas our intention, captain," said Hal, in a melancholy voice.
+
+Black Donald then threw himself into a seat at the head of the table,
+poured out a mug of ale, and invited his band to pledge him. They
+gathered around the table, filled their mugs, pledged him standing, and
+then resumed their seats to listen to the last words of their chief.
+
+Black Donald commenced and related the manner of his deliverance by
+Capitola; and then, taking from his bosom a bag of gold, he poured it
+upon the table and divided it into two equal portions, one of which he
+handed to "Headlong Hal," saying:
+
+"There, Hal, take that and divide it among your companions, and scatter
+to distant parts of the country, where you may yet have a chance of
+earning an honest livelihood! As for me, I shall have to quit the
+country altogether, and it will take nearly half this sum to enable me
+to do it. Now I have not a minute more to give you! So once more pledge
+your captain and away!"
+
+The men filled their mugs, rose to their feet, and pledged their leader
+in a parting toast and then:
+
+"Good luck to you all!" exclaimed Black Donald, waving his hat thrice
+above his head with a valedictory hurrah. And the next moment he was
+gone!
+
+That night, if any watchman had been on guard near the stables of
+Hurricane Hall, he might have seen a tall man mounted upon Capitola's
+pony, ride up in hot haste, dismount and pick the stable lock, take Gyp
+by the bridle and lead him in, and presently return leading out
+Fleetfoot, Old Hurricane's racer, upon which he mounted and rode away.
+
+The next morning, while Capitola was dressing, her groom rapped at the
+door and, in great dismay, begged that he might speak to Miss Cap one
+minute.
+
+"Well, what is it, Jem?" said Capitola.
+
+"Oh, Miss Cap, you'll kill me! I done been got up long afore day and
+gone to Tip-Top arter Gyp, but somebody done been stole him away afore
+I got there!"
+
+"Thank heaven!" cried Capitola, to little Jem's unspeakable amazement.
+For to Capitola the absence of her horse meant just the escape of Black
+Donald!
+
+The next minute Cap sighed and said:
+
+"Poor Gyp! I shall never see you again!"
+
+That was all she knew of the future!
+
+That morning while they were all at breakfast a groom from the stables
+came in with a little canvas bag in his hand, which he laid, with a
+bow, before his master.
+
+Major Warfield took it up; it was full of gold, and upon its side was
+written, in red chalk:
+
+"Three hundred dollars, to pay for Fleetfoot.--Black Donald, Reformed
+Robber."
+
+While Old Hurricane was reading this inscription, the groom said that
+Fleetfoot was missing from his stall, and that Miss Cap's pony, that
+was supposed to have been stolen, was found in his place, with this bag
+of gold tied around his neck!
+
+"It is Black Donald--he has escaped!" cried Old Hurricane, about to
+fling himself into a rage, when his furious eyes encountered the gentle
+gaze of Marah, that fell like oil on the waves of his rising passion.
+
+"Let him go! I'll not storm on my silver wedding day," said Major
+Warfield.
+
+As for Cap, her eyes danced with delight--the only little clouds upon
+her bright sky were removed. Black Donald had escaped, to commence a
+better life, and Gyp was restored!
+
+That evening a magnificent old-fashioned wedding came off at Hurricane
+Hall.
+
+The double ceremony was performed by the bishop of the diocese (then on
+a visit to the neighborhood) in the great salon of Hurricane Hall, in
+the presence of as large and splendid an assembly as could be gathered
+together from that remote neighborhood.
+
+The two brides, of course, were lovely in white satin, Honiton lace,
+pearls and orange flowers. "Equally," of course, the bridegrooms were
+handsome and elegant, proud and happy.
+
+To this old-fashioned wedding succeeded a round of dinners and evening
+parties, given by the wedding guests. And when all these old-time
+customs had been observed for the satisfaction of old friends, the
+bridal party went upon the new-fashioned tour, for their own delight.
+They spent a year in traveling over the eastern continent, and then
+returned home to settle upon their patrimonial estates.
+
+Major Warfield and Marah lived at Hurricane Hall and as his heart is
+satisfied and at rest, his temper is gradually improving. As the lion
+shall be led by the little child, Old Hurricane is led by the gentlest
+woman that ever loved or suffered, and she is leading him in his old
+age to the Saviour's feet.
+
+Clara and Traverse live at Willow Heights, which has been repaired,
+enlarged and improved, and where Traverse has already an extensive
+practice, and where both endeavor to emulate the enlightened goodness
+of the sainted Doctor Day.
+
+Cap and Herbert, with Mrs. Le Noir, live at the Hidden House, which has
+been turned by wealth and taste into a dwelling of light and beauty. As
+the bravest are always the gentlest, so the most high-spirited are
+always the most forgiving. And thus the weak or wicked old Dorcas
+Knight finds still a home under the roof of Mrs. Le Noir. Her only
+retribution being the very mild one of having her relations changed in
+the fact that her temporary prisoner is now her mistress and sovereign
+lady.
+
+I wish I could say "they all lived happy ever after." But the truth is
+I have reason to suppose that even Clara had sometimes occasion to
+administer to Doctor Rocke dignified curtain lectures, which no doubt
+did him good. And I know for a positive fact that our Cap sometimes
+gives her "dear, darling, sweet Herbert," the benefit of the sharp edge
+of her tongue, which, of course, he deserves.
+
+But notwithstanding all this, I am happy to say that all enjoy a fair
+amount of human felicity.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+Good Fiction Worth Reading.
+
+A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the
+field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and
+diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE. A story of American Colonial Times. By Chauncey
+C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
+Price, $1.00.
+
+A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary
+scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true
+American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter,
+until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love
+story is a singularly charming idyl.
+
+
+THE TOWER OF LONDON. A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady Jane
+Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four
+illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00
+
+This romance of the "Tower of London" depicts the Tower as palace,
+prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the
+middle of the sixteenth century.
+
+The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey,
+and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable
+characters of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the
+reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably
+over a half a century.
+
+
+IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A Romance of the American Revolution. By
+Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J.
+Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery,
+and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of
+the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and we feel ourselves taking a
+part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so absorbing
+that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a love romance
+it is charming.
+
+
+GARTHOWEN. A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo.
+with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+"This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare
+before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some
+strong points of Welsh character--the pride, the hasty temper, the
+quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story,
+interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another
+life than ours. A delightful and clever picture of Welsh village life.
+The result is excellent."--Detroit Free Press.
+
+
+MIFANWY. The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth, 12mo. with
+four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+"This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to
+read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it
+is apparent at once, are as true to life as though the author had known
+them all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is worked
+up in that touching and quaint strain which never grows wearisome, no
+matter how often the lights and shadows of love are introduced. It
+rings true, and does not tax the imagination."--Boston Herald.
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.
+
+
+
+
+Good Fiction Worth Reading.
+
+A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the
+field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and
+diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. By
+G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+In point of publication, "Darnley" is that work by Mr. James which
+follows "Richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to the
+advice and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are indebted
+primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether he could
+properly paint the difference in the characters of the two great
+cardinals. And it is not surprising that James should have hesitated;
+he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the portrait of
+Richelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with Wolsey as the
+theme, was much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted that "Darnley"
+came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being supported by Sir
+Walter Scott, the author set about the work.
+
+As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken up
+pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm
+which those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have
+claimed was only to be imparted by Dumas.
+
+If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial attention,
+the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic "field of the
+cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most favorable
+consideration of every reader.
+
+There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author
+has taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom history
+has credited with having entertained the tender passion one for
+another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world must
+love.
+
+
+CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. Henry A. Wise,
+U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns
+who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come
+through the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea
+and those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar with
+the scenes depicted.
+
+The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which
+will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is "Captain Brand,"
+who, as the author states on his title page, was a "pirate of eminence
+in the West Indies." As a sea story pure and simple, "Captain Brand"
+has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told without
+the usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal.
+
+
+NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By Robert
+Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in
+Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long out
+of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic
+presentation of Indian and frontier life in the early days of
+settlement in the South, narrated in the tale with all the art of a
+practiced writer. A very charming love romance runs through the story.
+This new and tasteful edition of "Nick of the Woods" will be certain to
+make many new admirers for this enchanting story from Dr. Bird's clever
+and versatile pen.
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.
+
+
+
+
+Good Fiction Worth Reading.
+
+A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the
+field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and
+diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+GUY FAWKES. A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison
+Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank.
+Price, $1.00.
+
+The "Gunpowder Plot" was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament, the
+King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England, was
+weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of
+extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In
+their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits
+concluded to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were
+arrested, and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other
+prisoners with royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the
+entire romance.
+
+
+THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER. A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio
+Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson
+Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+A book rather out of the ordinary is this "Spirit of the Border." The
+main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian
+missionaries in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given
+details of the frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the
+wilderness for the planting of this great nation. Chief among these, as
+a matter of course, is Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at
+the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent their
+lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in
+comparative security.
+
+Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian "Village
+of Peace" are given at some length, and with minute description. The
+efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have
+been before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders
+of the several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be
+of interest to the student.
+
+By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid
+word-pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings of
+the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests.
+
+It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by it,
+perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly
+braved every privation and danger that the westward progress of the
+star of empire might be the more certain and rapid. A love story,
+simple and tender, runs through the book.
+
+
+RICHELIEU. A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P.
+R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
+Price, $1.00.
+
+In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, "Richelieu," and was
+recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft.
+
+In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great
+cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it was
+yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic outbursts
+which overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost wave of
+prosperity. One of the most striking portions of the story is that of
+Cinq Mar's conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal cases, and the
+political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, affording a better
+insight into the state-craft of that day than can be had even by an
+exhaustive study of history. It is a powerful romance of love and
+diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and absorbing interest has never
+been excelled.
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.
+
+
+
+
+Good Fiction Worth Reading.
+
+A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the
+field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and
+diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.
+
+                     *      *      *      *      *
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE. A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII.,
+Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth,
+12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.
+
+"Windsor Castle" is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne
+Boleyn. "Bluff King Hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none too
+good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable acts,
+none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and his
+marriage to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King's love was as brief as
+it was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, attracted
+him, and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room for her
+successor. This romance is one of extreme interest to all readers.
+
+
+HORSESHOE ROBINSON. A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina in
+1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J.
+Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.
+
+Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical
+fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans
+than Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which
+depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists
+in South Carolina to defend their homes against the brutal oppression
+of the British under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton.
+
+The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread of
+the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning those
+times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is never
+overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared
+neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love
+story all that price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as
+their share in the winning of the republic.
+
+Take it all in all, "Horseshoe Robinson" is a work which should be
+found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining
+story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning the
+colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once more,
+well illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to thousands
+who have long desired an opportunity to read the story again, and to
+the many who have tried vainly in these latter days to procure a copy
+that they might read it for the first time.
+
+
+THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND. A story of the Coast of Maine. By Harriet
+Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.
+
+Written prior to 1862, the "Pearl of Orr's Island" is ever new; a book
+filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew
+each time one reads them. One sees the "sea like an unbroken mirror all
+around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr's Island," and straightway
+comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, like the wild
+angry howl of some savage animal."
+
+Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which
+came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel's wings,
+without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud
+blossomed? Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the
+character of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid
+the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast.
+
+There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that which
+Mrs. Stowe gives in "The Pearl of Orr's Island."
+
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Capitola's Peril, by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPITOLA'S PERIL ***
+
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