And you," turning to her uncle, "did YOU listen and believe such things? Did you encourage him to believe them? Oh, I know what you think of my friends! I heard it from your own lips. And Iknow why you think it. Because they know what you are; because they exposed you and--""There, there! Caroline, you needn't go on. I've heard your opinion of my character afore. Never mind me for the minute. And, if you'll remember, _I_ ain't said that I doubted your young man.
You told me that you thought the world and all of him and that he did of you. That's enough--or ought to be. But your brother says you wrote him two days ago and he ain't been near you.""I misdirected the letter. He didn't receive it.""Um-hm. I see. That would explain."
"Of course it would. That MUST be the reason.""Yes, seem's if it must."
"It is. What right have you to doubt it? Oh, how can you think such things? Can you suppose the man I am to marry is so despicable--so MEAN as to--as to--I'm ashamed to say it. Why do you presume that money has any part in our engagement? Such trouble as mine only makes it more binding. Do you suppose if HEwere poor as--as I am, that I would desert HIM? You know Iwouldn't. I should be glad--yes, almost happy, because then Icould show him--could--"
Her voice failed her. She put her handkerchief to her eyes for an instant and then snatched it away and faced them, her head erect.
The pride in her face was reflected in Captain Elisha's as he regarded her.
"No, no," he said gently, "I never supposed you'd act but in one way, Caroline. I knew YOU. And, as Steve'll tell you, I said to him almost the same words you've been sayin'. If Malcolm's what he'd ought to be, I said, he'll be glad of the chance to prove how much he cares for your sister. But Steve appeared to have some misgivin's, and so--"He paused, turned toward the door, and seemed to be listening.
Caroline flashed an indignant glance at her brother.
"And so?" she asked, scornfully.
"And so," continued the captain, with a slight change in his tone, "it seemed to me that his doubts ought to be settled. And,"rising, as there came a tap at the door, "I cal'late they're goin'
to be."
He walked briskly over and opened the door. Sylvester was standing without.
"Come, have they?" inquired Captain Elisha.
"Yes."
"Fetch 'em right in here. Steve, stand over nigher that corner.
This way, Caroline, if you please."
He took his niece by the arm and led her to the side of the room not visible from the doorway. She was too astonished to resist, but asked an agitated question.
"What is it?" she cried. "Who is coming?
"Some friends of yours," was the quiet reply. "Nothin' to be frightened about. Steve, stay where you are."The boy was greatly excited. "Is it they?" he demanded. "Is it?
By gad! Now, Sis, be a sensible girl. If he should try to hedge, you hold him. Hold him! Understand?""Steve, be quiet," ordered the captain. . . . "Ah, Mrs. Dunn, good afternoon, ma'am. Mr. Dunn, good afternoon, sir."For the pair who, followed by Sylvester, now entered the room were Mrs. Corcoran Dunn and Malcolm.
They were past the sill before Captain Elisha's greeting caused them to turn and see the three already there. Mrs. Dunn, who was in the lead, stopped short in her majestic though creaking march of entrance, and her florid face turned a brighter crimson. Her son, strolling languidly at her heels, started violently and dropped his hat. The lawyer, bringing up in the rear, closed the door and remained standing near it. Caroline uttered an exclamation of surprise. Her brother drew himself haughtily erect. Captain Elisha remained unperturbed and smiling.
"Good afternoon, ma'am," he repeated. "It's been some time since you and I run across each other. I hope you're feelin' pretty smart."Mrs. Dunn had faced some unpleasant situations in her life and had proved equal to them. Usually, however, she had been prepared beforehand. For this she had not been prepared--as yet. She had come to the offices of Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves, at the senior partner's request, to be told, as she supposed, the full and final details of the financial disaster threatening the Warren family.
If those details should prove the disaster as overwhelming as it appeared, then--well, then, certain disagreeable duties must be performed. But to meet the girl to whom her son was engaged, and whom she and he had carefully avoided meeting until the lawyers should acquaint them with the whole truth--to meet this girl, and her brother, and her guardian, thus unexpectedly and unprepared, was enough to shake the composure and nerve of even such a veteran campaigner as Mrs. M. Corcoran Dunn.
But of the three to whom the meeting was an absolute surprise,--Caroline, Malcolm and herself--she was characteristically the first to regain outward serenity. For a moment she stood nonplused and speechless, but only for a moment. Then she hastened, with outstretched arms, to Caroline and clasped her in affectionate embrace.
"My dear child!" she cried; "my dear girl! I'm SO glad to see you!
I've thought of you so much! And I pity you so. Poor Malcolm has--Malcolm," sharply, "come here! Don't you see Caroline?"Malcolm was groping nervously for his hat. He picked it up and obeyed his mother's summons, though with no great eagerness.
"How d'ye do, Caroline," he stammered, confusedly. "I--I--It's a deuce of a surprise to see you down here. The mater and I didn't expect--that is, we scarcely hoped to meet anyone but Sylvester.
He sent for us, you know."
He extended his hand. She did not take it.
"Did you get my letter?" she asked, quickly. Mrs. Dunn answered for him.
"Yes, dear, he got it," she said. "The poor fellow was almost crazy. I began to fear for his sanity; I did, indeed. I did not dare trust him out of my sight. Oh, if you could but know how we feel for you and pity you!"Pity was not what Caroline wanted just then. The word jarred upon her. She avoided the lady's embrace and once more faced the embarrassed Malcolm.
"You got my letter?" she cried. "You DID?"