had ended.
She received him rather coldly, and he perceived it. After reminding me
of our appointment for the next day, he took his leave.

"What appointment does Mr. Varleigh mean?" my aunt asked, as soon as we
were alone. "Is it wise, under the circumstances, to make appointments
with Mr. Varleigh?" she said, when I had answered her question. I
naturally inquired what she meant. My aunt replied, "I have met Captain
Stanwick while I was out walking. He has told me something which I am
quite at a loss to understand. Is it possible, Bertha, that you have
received a proposal of marriage from him favorably, without saying one
word about your intentions to me?"

I instantly denied it. However rashly I might have spoken, I had
certainly said nothing to justify Captain Stanwick in claiming me as his
promised wife. In his mean fear of a fair rivalry with Mr. Varleigh, he
had deliberately misinterpreted me. "If I marry either of the two," I
said, "it will be Mr. Varleigh!"

My aunt shook her head. "These two gentlemen seem to be both in love
with you, Bertha. It is a trying position for you between them, and I am
afraid you have acted with some indiscretion. Captain Stanwick tells me
that he and his friend have come to a separation already. I fear you are
the cause of it. Mr. Varleigh has left the hotel at which he was staying
with the Captain, in consequence of a disagreement between them this
morning. You were not aware of that when you accepted his invitation.
Shall I write an excuse for you? We must, at least, put off the visit,
my dear, until you have set yourself right with Captain Stanwick."

I began to feel a little alarmed, but I was too obstinate to yield
without a struggle. "Give me time to think over it," I said. "To write
an excuse seems like acknowledging the Captain's authority. Let us wait
till to-morrow morning."

IV.

THE morning brought with it another visit from Captain Stanwick. This
time my aunt was present. He looked at her without speaking, and turned
to me, with his fiery temper showing itself already in his eyes.

"I have a word to say to you in private," he began.

"I have no secrets from my aunt," I answered. "Whatever you have to say,
Captain Stanwick, may be said here."

He opened his lips to reply, and suddenly checked himself. He was
controlling his anger by so violent an effort that it turned his ruddy
face pale. For the moment he conquered his temper--he addressed himself
to me with