t not have been fired by the
fascinations of such a witch!" said the outlaw, who straightway
commenced and gave his patron the same account of his visit to Hurricane
Hall that he had already related to his comrades.

The colonel heard the story with many a "pish," "tush" and "pshaw," and
when the man had concluded the tale he exclaimed:

"Is that all? Then we may continue our negotiations, I care not! Carry
her off! marry her! do as you please with her! only at the end of
all--kill her!" hoarsely whispered Le Noir.

"That is just what I intend, colonel!"

"That will do if the event be certain: but it must be certain! I cannot
breathe freely while my brother's heiress lives," whispered Le Noir.

"Well, colonel, be content; here is my hand upon it! In six days
Capitola will be in my power! In twelve days you shall be out of hers!"

"It is a bargain," said each of the conspirators, in a breath, as they
shook hands and parted--Le Noir to his home and Black Donald to join his
comrades' revelry.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE BOY'S LOVE

Endearing! endearing!
Why so endearing
Are those soft shining eyes,
Through their silk fringe peering?
They love thee! they love thee!
Deeply, sincerely;
And more than aught else on earth
Thou lovest them dearly!
--Motherwell.

While these dark conspiracies were hatching elsewhere, all was comfort,
peace and love in the doctor's quiet dwelling.

Under Marah Rocke's administration the business of the household went on
with the regularity of clockwork. Every one felt the advantage of this
improved condition.

The doctor often declared that for his part he could not for the life of
him think how they had ever been able to get along without Mrs. Rocke
and Traverse.

Clara affirmed that however the past might have been, the mother and son
were a present and future necessity to the doctor's comfort and
happiness.

The little woman herself gained rapidly both health and spirits and good
looks. Under favorable circumstances, Marah Rocke, even at thirty-six,
would have been esteemed a first-rate beauty; and even now she was
pretty, graceful and attractive to a degree that she herself was far
from suspecting.

Traverse advanced rapidly in his studies, to the ardent pursuit of which
he was urged by every generous motive that could fire a human
bosom--affection for his mother, whose condition he was anxio