not crazy! I know what I am saying, though I did not
intend to say it! And you shall know, too! But first I must ask Herbert
another question: Herbert, are you very sure that he--Major
Warfield--knew who we were?"

"Yes, indeed; didn't I tell him all about you--your troubles, your
struggles, your disinterestedness and all your history since ever I knew
you?" answered Herbert, who was totally unconscious that he had left
Major Warfield in ignorance of one very important fact--her surname.

"Then you are sure he knew who he was talking about?"

"Of course he did."

"He could not have failed to do so, indeed. But, Herbert, did he mention
any other important fact that you have not yet communicated to us?"

"No, ma'am."

"Did he allude to any previous acquaintance with us?"

"No, ma'am, unless it might have been in the words I repeated to
you--there was nothing else--except that he bade me hurry to you and
make you glad with his message, and return as soon as possible to let
him know whether you accept his offers."

"Accept them! accept them! Of course I do. I have waited for them for
years. Oh, children, you gaze on me as if you thought me mad. I am not
so; nor can I now explain myself, for, since he has not chosen to be
confidential with Herbert, I cannot be so prematurely; but you will know
all when Herbert shall have borne back my message to Major Warfield."

It was indeed a mad evening in the cottage. And even when the little
family had separated and retired to bed, the two youths, lying together
as formerly, could not sleep for talking, while the widow on her lonely
couch lay awake for joy.

CHAPTER X.

THE ROOM OF THE TRAP-DOOR.

If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable, in your silence still;
And whatsoever else doth hap to-night,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
--Shakespeare.

Capitola, meanwhile, in the care of the major, arrived at Hurricane
Hall, much to the discomfiture of good Mrs. Condiment, who was quite
unprepared to expect the new inmate; and when Major Warfield said:

"Mrs. Condiment, this is your young lady; take her up to the best
bedroom, where she can take off her bonnet and shawl," the worthy dame,
thinking secretly, "The old fool has gone and married a young wife, sure
enough; a mere chit of a child," made a very deep curtsy and a very
queer cough and said:

"I am mortified, madam, at the