perate under present circumstances."

[Footnote 27: fears.]

The younger sister sank into her seat colorless and astonished. Miss
Peyton dropped the tea-tray she was lifting from the table, and Sarah
sat with her purchases unheeded in her lap, speechless with surprise.
Mr. Wharton was stupefied; but the captain, hesitating a moment from
astonishment, sprang into the middle of the room, and exclaimed, as he
tore off the instruments of disguise:

"I believe you, from my soul, and this tiresome imposition shall
continue no longer. Yet I am at a loss to conceive in what manner you
should know me."

"You really look so much better in your proper person, Captain
Wharton," said Harper, with a slight smile, "I would advise you never
to conceal it in future. There is enough to betray you, if other
sources of detection were wanting." As he spoke, he pointed to a
picture suspended over the mantelpiece, which exhibited the British
officer in his regimentals.

"I had flattered myself," cried young Wharton, with a laugh, "that I
looked better on the canvas than in a masquerade. You must be a close
observer, sir?"

"Necessity has made me one," said Harper, rising from his seat.

Frances met him as he was about to withdraw, and, taking his hand
between her own, said with earnestness, her cheeks mantling with the
richest vermilion[28]: "You cannot--you will not betray my brother!"

[Footnote 28: a bright red color.]

For an instant Harper paused in silent admiration of the lovely
pleader, and then, folding her hands on his breast, he replied
solemnly: "I cannot, and I will not." He released her hands, and
laying his own on her head, gently, continued: "If the blessing of a
stranger can profit you, receive it." He turned, and bowing low
retired, with a delicacy that was duly appreciated by those he
quitted, to his own apartment.

The whole party were deeply impressed with the ingenuous[29] and
solemn manner of the traveller, and all but the father found immediate
relief in his declaration.

[Footnote 29: open; frank.]

CHAPTER III.

THE STRANGER'S WARNING AND THE PEDDLER'S RETURN.

On the afternoon of the succeeding day, the party were assembled in
the parlor around the tea-table of Miss Peyton, when a change in the
weather occurred. The rushing winds had ceased, the pelting of the
storm was over, and, springing to the window, Frances saw a glorious
ray of sunshine lighting up the opposite wood.