t
his sister was immured in a kind of dungeon, surrounded by people who
were unkind to her, and unable to get away or to call for help openly.
He says he ought to have known better, for apparently she has been
acting plays ever since she was short-coated; but this time he was
really taken in, and came here last night, with his friend and cousin,
meaning to rescue his sister and take her home to Cuba. Found her not
desiring in the least to be rescued, but bent on hiding them both in the
garret, and keeping them there till a cargo of arms and a vessel could
be brought from New York. You know the rest. Carlos was in the library
when I came up, waiting for an interview with Rita. I think it may be a
lively one."

"And the other; the cousin? I hardly saw him. They were both so
embarrassed, poor dears!"

"Seems a good little fellow; good little fellow enough! Gentlemanly
boys, both of them. Carlos is much more of a person than the other.
He--Fernando Sanchez--admires Rita a good deal, I should say, and tries
to find her conduct admirable; but her brother--hark!"

Something like a silken whirlwind came rushing up the stairs and across
the hall; something that sobbed with fury, and stamped with feet that
were too small to make much noise; then a door on the other side of the
hall shut with a bang that made the solid walls quiver. Margaret and her
uncle looked at each other. Presently Peggy came in, with round,
frightened eyes.

"What is the matter with Rita?" she asked. "Has she been in here? She
came flying across the hall just now--oh, dear! I was just coming out of
my room, and she took me and shook me, just as hard as she could shake.
Why, my teeth chattered, Margaret! and then she flung off into her room,
and slammed the door. My! she was in a tantrum! Oh, I--I--beg your
pardon!" She faltered at the sight of her uncle, and hung back. She had
only learned this morning of the astonishing transformation of her
friend the gardener into the unknown and formidable relative.

Mr. Montfort held out his hand, with the smile that always went to
Peggy's heart.

"Well, Miss Peggy," he said, "and what roses will you have to-day? My
dear child," he added, seeing that she was really distressed, "you are
not really troubled at my little masquerade? I am going to tell you all
about it soon,--as soon as I can see my three Margarets together. I feel
that I owe you all an explanation. Margaret has already heard part of my
story, and w