r awaiting him. It was from Caroline, telling him of her
engagement to Malcolm Dunn. She wrote that, while not recognizing his
right to interfere in any way, she felt that perhaps he should know
of her action. He did not go down to supper, and, when Pearson came to
inquire the reason, excused himself, pleading a late luncheon and no
appetite. He guessed he would turn in early, so he said. It was a poor
guess.

Next morning he went uptown. Edwards, opening the door of the Warren
apartment, was surprised to find who had rung the bell.

"Mornin', Commodore!" hailed the captain, as casually as if he were
merely returning from a stroll. "Is Miss Caroline aboard ship?"

"Why--why, I don't know, sir. I'll see."

"That's all right. She's aboard or you wouldn't have to see. You and me
sailed together quite a spell, so I know your little habits. I'll wait
in the library, Commodore. Tell her there's no particular hurry."

His niece was expecting him. She had anticipated his visit and was
prepared for it. From the emotion caused by his departure after the
eventful birthday, she had entirely recovered, or thought she had. The
surprise and shock of his leaving and the consequent sense of loneliness
and responsibility overcame her at the time, but Stephen's ridicule and
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn's congratulations on riddance from the "encumbrance"
shamed her and stilled the reproaches of her conscience. Mrs. Dunn,
as always, played the diplomat and mingled just the proper quantity of
comprehending sympathy with the congratulations.

"I understand exactly how you feel, my dear," she said. "You have a
tender heart, and it pains you to hurt anyone's feelings, no matter how
much they deserve to be hurt. Every time I dismiss an incompetent
or dishonest servant I feel that I have done wrong; sometimes I cry,
actually shed tears, you know, and yet my reason tells me I am right.
You feel that you may have been too harsh with that guardian of yours.
You remember what you said to him and forget how hypocritically he
behaved toward you. I can't forgive him that. I may forget how he
misrepresented Malcolm and me to you--that I may even pardon, in
time--but to deceive his own brother's children and introduce into their
society a creature who had slandered and maligned their father--_that_
I never shall forget or forgive. And--you'll excuse my frankness,
dear--you should never forget or forgive it, either. You have nothing
with which to reproach you