did not see Le, who was partly shaded by the bare tangle of the
climbing rose vines on the trelliswork.

He threw himself out of his saddle, threw his bridle to his groom, and
came up the steps.

"Ho, my boy!" he shouted, as he caught sight of the youth. "Is that you,
really? Welcome! welcome! I am delighted to see you!"

And he seized Le by both hands, and shook them heartily.

"When did you get home?" he continued, in the same cordial tone.

"Only this morning," answered Le, trying to command himself, for the
sudden sight of Odalite's father and the jubilant cordiality of his
address nearly upset the poor fellow's balance.

Had his uncle no feeling, knowing, as he must know, that he, Le, had come
home joyfully expecting to marry Odalite, only to meet with a bitter
disappointment?

"Come into the parlor! Come into the parlor! It is too cold out here! You
look quite blue! Come in, and let's get a better view of you!" continued
Mr. Force, leading the way into the house, followed by Le.

In the hall he threw off his riding coat, drew off his long, India rubber
boots, and then entered the parlor, which was on the opposite side from
Mrs. Force's sitting room.

It was a medium-sized, wainscoted room, with two front windows and one
side window. It was carpeted and upholstered in dark crimson, and had a
large, open wood fire burning in the ample chimney.

"Take that chair! I'll take this," said Mr. Force, pushing one armchair
toward Le with his foot, and throwing himself into the other.

Thus they sat in opposite corners.

"Now tell me! When did your ship get into port?"

"Yesterday morning, and I hurried immediately down here to see--to see
my--to--to--meet the bitterest disappointment of my life, Uncle Abel!"
said the youth, faltering, hesitating, but determined to come to the point
at last.

"Oh, come, come! Tut, tut, tut! She was only a child when you went away,
if you are referring to Odalite!" said Mr. Force, in a cheery tone.

"Yes, Uncle Abel, I am referring to Odalite, and speaking of the most
heartbreaking disappointment that ever crushed a man," said the youth.

"Nonsense, dear lad! You know nothing of heartbreaking troubles of any
sort, or you would not magnify this one! You will get over it in a
month."

"It was the cherished love and hope and faith of years."

"A dream, my boy, of which this is the awakening. A dream, in which I,
too, shared! Le, lad, you must know that I am just as much disa