e dinner put back
until nine o'clock on this occasion."

Cora bowed. She could scarcely trust her voice to answer in words.

Mr. Rockharrt, absorbed in his own thoughts and plans, never noticed her
coldness and silence. He soon finished breakfast, left the table, and a
few minutes later entered his carriage to drive to North End.

"'Pears to me old marse is jes' wonderful, Miss Cora. To go to his
business every day like clock work, and he 'bout seventy-seven years
old. And jes' as straight and strong as a pine tree! Yes, and as hard as
a pine knot! He's wonderful, that he is!" said old Jason, the gray
haired negro butler, when he came in from seeing his master off and
began to clear away the breakfast service.

"Yes; your master is a fine, strong man, Jason--physically," replied
Cora, who was beginning to doubt the mental soundness of her
grandfather!

"Physicking! No, indeed! 'Tain't that as makes the old g'eman so
strong. He nebber would take no physic in all his life. It's
consternation, that's w'at it is--his good, healthy consternation!"

"Very likely!" replied Cora, who was too much disturbed to set the old
man right.

She left the breakfast parlor, and went up stairs to superintend in
person the preparation for the comfort of the expected guest.

CHAPTER XII.

THE SIREN AND THE DESPOT.

That May night was clear and cool. The sky was brilliant with stars,
sparkling and flashing from the pure, dark blue empyrean.

In the house it was chilly, so Cora had caused fires to be built in all
the grates.

The drawing room at Rockhold presented a very attractive appearance,
with its three chandeliers of lighted wax candles, its cheerful fire of
sea coal, its warm crimson and gold coloring of carpets and curtains,
and its luxurious easy chairs, sofas and ottomans, its choice pictures,
books, bronzes and so forth. In the small dining room the table was set
for dinner, in the best spare room all was prepared for its expected
occupant.

Cora, in her widow's cap and dress, sat in an arm chair before the
drawing room fire, awaiting the arrival. Half past eight had been the
hour named by her grandfather for their coming. But a few minutes after
the clock had struck, the sound of carriage wheels was heard on the
avenue approaching the house.

Old Jason opened the hall door just as the vehicle drew up and stopped.

Mr. Rockharrt alighted and then gave his hand to his companion, who
tripped lightly to the