pearance.

Although she had given way, Mrs. Bowmore was not disposed to trust her
daughter, without supervision, in the society of a man whom Charlotte
herself had reviled as a slanderer and a false friend. She took up her
position in the veranda outside the parlor, at a safe distance from one
of the two windows of the room which had been left partially open to
admit the fresh air. Here she waited and listened.

The conversation was for some time carried on in whispers.

As they became more and more excited, both Charlotte and Bervie ended in
unconsciously raising their voices.

"I swear it to you on my faith as a Christian!" Mrs. Bowmore heard the
Captain say. "I declare before God who hears me that I am speaking the
truth!"

And Charlotte had answered, with a burst of tears:

"I can't believe you! I daren't believe you! Oh, how can you ask me to
do such a thing? Let me go! let me go!"

Alarmed at those words, Mrs. Bowmore advanced to the window and looked
in.

Bervie had put her daughter's arm on his arm, and was trying to induce
her to leave the parlor with him. She resisted, and implored him to
release her. He dropped her arm, and whispered in her ear. She looked at
him--and instantly made up her mind.

"Let me tell my mother where I am going," she said; "and I will
consent."

"Be it so!" he answered. "And remember one thing: every minute is
precious; the fewest words are the best."

Mrs. Bowmore re-entered the cottage by the adjoining room, and met them
in the passage. In few words, Charlotte spoke.

"I must go at once to Justice Bervie's house. Don't be afraid, mamma! I
know what I am about, and I know I am right."

"Going to Justice Bervie's!" cried Mrs. Bowmore, in the utmost extremity
of astonishment. "What will your father say, what will Percy think, when
they come back from the Club?"

"My sister's carriage is waiting for me close by," Bervie answered. "It
is entirely at Miss Bowmore's disposal. She can easily get back, if she
wishes to keep her visit a secret, before Mr. Bowmore and Mr. Linwood
return."

He led her to the door as he spoke. She ran back and kissed her mother
tenderly. Mrs. Bowmore called to them to wait.

"I daren't let you go," she said to her daughter, "without your father's
leave!"

Charlotte seemed not to hear, the Captain seemed not to hear. They ran
across the front garden, and through the gate--and were out of sight in
less than a minute.

More than two hours p