s in the house, kept the party
enlivened by her own good spirits and gay talk.

Once during the evening Clarence and Cora found themselves far enough
off from their friends for a short tete-a-tete, in which there was a
brief but perfect explanation between them.

Then Clarence announced his intention of escorting her to Washington and
seeing her safe under the protection of the Nevilles.

Cora strongly opposed this plan, on the ground that his escort was
unnecessary and might be deeply offensive to Mr. Rockharrt.

But Clarence was firm.

"You may turn your back on me, Cora. You may refuse to speak to me
during the whole journey. But you cannot prevent me from going on the
same train with you, and so becoming your guardian on the journey," said
Clarence.

Cora's answer to this was prevented by the approach of Violet, who said:

"Clarence, it is half past eleven o'clock, and Cora looks tired to
death. Your room is ready whenever you would like to retire."

Acting upon this very broad hint, Mr. Clarence laughed, kissed his niece
good night, shook hands with his sister-in-law, and left the room,
preceded by Mr. Fabian, who offered to show him to his chamber. Violet
conducted Cora to the room prepared for her, and, with a warm embrace,
left her to repose for the last time in that house.

CHAPTER XXXI.

"IT IS THE UNEXPECTED THAT HAPPENS."

After her exciting and fatiguing day, Corona slept long and heavily, and
when she reached the family sitting room she found her two uncles there
in conversation.

"I am sorry I kept you waiting, Uncle Fabian," she said, hurriedly.

"You have not done so, my dear. The bell has not yet rung."

"Then I'm glad. Good morning, Clarence," she said, turning to her
younger uncle.

"Good morning, Cora. How did you sleep?"

"Perfectly, Clarence dear. I hope you will set out for North End
immediately after breakfast. I shall not start for Washington until
to-night. I shall spend the day here, so that after telling Violet of my
intended journey I may have some little time to reconcile her to it."

"How good you are, Cora. I do appreciate this consideration for Violet,"
said Mr. Fabian earnestly.

"It is only her due, uncle. Well, Clarence, since you are determined to
escort me to Washington, whether or not, you may meet me at the depot
for the 6:30 express. I feel that it is every way better that I should
go by the night train; better for Violet, with whom I can thus spend