study. I returned to the dining-room before he
opened it, and sat down to work; but in about fifteen minutes the
Captain came in, his face flushed, his manner more agitated and
excited than I had ever seen it. "Read that," was all that he could
say, thrusting the open letter into my hand. No wonder he was
agitated. It was from Madam Leblanc, and contained the news that
Rose had made a clandestine marriage, and was gone, no one knew
where.

Inclosed there was a short and rapturous note from Rose herself,
saying that she had been married that day, and was blessed beyond
the power of words to describe, and was on the point of leaving
Canada forever. She did not give her new name. She said nothing of
her husband, but that she loved him passionately. There was but one
name mentioned in the letter, that of a Mrs. Major Forsyth, whom
she left home ostensibly to visit.

From the moment I read the letter, I had no doubt to whom she was
married. Three days after Rose's departure for Quebec, Mr. Stanford
left us for Montreal. He was only to be absent a week. The week has
nearly expired, and there is no news of him. I knew instantly, as I
have said, with whom Rose had run away; but as I looked up, I saw
no shadow of a suspicion of the truth in Captain Danton's face.

"What does it mean?" he asked, with a bewildered look. "I can't
understand it. Can you?"

There was no use in disguising the truth; sooner or later he must
find it out.

"I think I can," I answered. "I believe Rose left here for the very
purpose she has accomplished, and not to visit Virginie Leblanc."

"You believe that letter, then?"

"Yes: I fear it is too true."

"But, heavens above! What would she elope for? We were all willing
she should marry La Touche."

"I don't think it is with M. La Touche," I said, reluctantly. "I
wish it were. I am afraid it is worse than that."

He stood looking at me, waiting, too agitated to speak. I told him
the worst at once.

"I am afraid it is with Reginald Stanford."

"Grace," he said, looking utterly confounded, "what do you mean?"

I made him sit down, and told him what perhaps I should have told
him long ago, my suspicions of that young Englishman. I told him I
was certain Rose had been his daily visitor during those three