that a very few months after his step-daughter's
flight he was inducted into that rich living for which he had been
waiting so many years. From that position his rise was slow indeed,
covering a period of twenty years, until a few months ago, when he was
made Dean of Olivet."

"To think that a man capable of quarreling with his wife and ill-using
their step-child should fill so sacred a position in the church!"
exclaimed Cora.

"Yes; but you see, my dear, the church is his profession, not his
vocation. He is a brilliant pulpit orator, with influential friends; but
every brilliant pulpit orator is not necessarily a saint. And as for his
quarreling with his wife and ill-using their step-daughter, we have
heard but one side of that story."

When they entered the Rockhold drawing room they found Mrs. Rockharrt
alone. She arose and came forward and received them with a smile.

"Your grandfather, my dear," she explained to Cora, "came home later
than usual from North End, and very much more than usually fatigued.
Immediately after dinner he lay down and I left him asleep."

"Where is Uncle Clarence?" inquired Corona.

"He remains at the works for the night. Will you have this chair, love?"
said Rose, pulling forward a luxurious "sleepy hollow."

"No, thank you. I must go to my room and change my dress. Will you
excuse me for half an hour, Uncle Fabian?" inquired Cora.

"Most willingly, my dear," replied Mr. Fabian, with a very pleased
look. Cora left the room.

"I will go with you," exclaimed Rose, turning pale and starting up to
follow the young lady.

"No. You will not," said Mr. Fabian, in a tone of authority, as he laid
his hand heavily on the woman's shoulder. "Sit down. I have something to
say to you."

CHAPTER XXII.

FABIAN AND ROSE.

"What do you mean?"

"I should rather ask what do you mean, or rather what did you mean, by
daring to marry any honest man, and of all men--Aaron Rockharrt? It was
the most audacious challenging of destruction that the most reckless
desperado could venture upon." Fabian Rockharrt continued, mercilessly:

"Do you not know what, if Mr. Rockharrt were to discover the deception
you put upon him, he might do and think himself justified in doing to
you?"

Rose shuddered in silence.

"The very least that he would do would be to turn you out of his house,
without a dollar, and shut his doors on you forever. Then what would
become of you? Who would take you in?"