d tried the latch, and, finding it locked, rapped.

With a blush that mounted to his forehead and with a half-suppressed
imprecation, Colonel Le Noir went and unlocked the door and admitted the
man.

"John," said Mrs. Rocke, quietly, "show Colonel Le Noir to the apartment
prepared for him and wait his orders." And with a slight nod to the
guest she went calmly from the room.

Colonel Le Noir, unmindful of the presence of the servant, stood gazing
in angry mortification after her. The flush on his brow had given way to
the fearful pallor of rage or hate as he muttered inaudibly:

"Insolent beggar! contradiction always confirms my half-formed
resolutions. Years ago I swore to possess that woman, and I will do it,
if it be only to keep my oath and humble her insolence. She is very
handsome still; she shall be my slave!"

Then, perceiving the presence of John, he said:

"Lead the way to my room, sirrah, and then go and order my fellow to
bring up my portmanteau."

John devoutly pulled his forelocks as he bowed low and then went on,
followed by Colonel Le Noir.

Marah Rocke meanwhile had gained the privacy of her own chamber, where
all her firmness deserted her.

Throwing herself into a chair, she clasped her hands and sat with
blanched face and staring eyes, like a marble statue of despair.

"Oh, what shall I do? what shall I do while this miscreant remains
here?--this villain whose very presence desecrates the roof and
dishonors me? I would instantly leave the house but that I must not
abandon poor Clara.

"I cannot claim the protection of Traverse, for I would not provoke him
to wrath or run him into danger; nor, indeed, would I even permit my son
to dream such a thing possible as that his mother could receive insult!

"Nor can I warn Clara of the unprincipled character of her guardian, for
if she knew him as he is she would surely treat him in such a way as to
get his enmity--his dangerous, fatal enmity!--doubly fatal since her
person and property are legally at his disposal. Oh, my dove! my dove!
that you should be in the power of this vulture! What shall I do, oh,
heaven?"

Marah dropped on her knees and finished her soliloquy with prayer. Then,
feeling composed and strengthened, she went to Clara's room.

She found the poor girl lying awake and quietly weeping.

"Your guardian has arrived, love," she said, sitting down beside the bed
and taking Clara's hand.

"Oh, must I get up and dress to see a s