ilent spectator of the drama enacting around him:

"Go, my dear boy, and order the carriages. I shall take my wife and
daughters home."

Le nodded, and went elbowing his way through the crowd--that made room for
him--to do his errand.

"Col. Anglesea, we will hereafter be compelled to dispense with your
society at Mondreer. Your effects shall be sent to the Calvert Hotel,
subject to your orders," he said, turning for a moment to his late guest.

"Sir, you abduct my wife by violence! You do it at your own peril!"
exclaimed the braggart.

The Maryland gentleman bowed gravely, but deigned no reply in words.

"Madam," he said, turning to the stranger, "if you will accept a seat in
our carriage, and give us the privilege of your company at our house, Mrs.
Force and myself would like to talk further with you on this subject."

"Oh, yes, thanky'! That I will! For I have got lots and loads to tell you
about that grand vilyun! You needn't think I came here to stop the
marriage because I cared for him! Not I! I'm that sick of the beast that
the very sight of him is tartar emetic! What i' the name o' sense ever
come over a purty gal like your daughter to take up with a man like him?
And a man older and uglier than her own father? Good land! I didn't mean
to say that! I beg your pardon, sir; I didn't indeed! I meant to say a man
not nearly so young and handsome as her own father! That was it!"
exclaimed the stranger.

Mr. Force bowed his acknowledgment of her apology, and then led her up to
the pew occupied by his wife and daughters, and introduced her as
follows:

"Mrs. Col. Angus Anglesea, my dear. Mrs. Anglesea, my wife, Mrs. Force;
our eldest daughter, Miss Force; our younger daughters, Misses Wynnette
and Elva; our friend, Miss Meeke."

When rather embarrassed bows and courtesies were exchanged, Mr. Force
added:

"Mrs. Anglesea has been so kind as to accept an invitation to return home
with us."

"Yes," put in the lady referred to. "Yes, your old man asked me, and I
accepted, because I have got such loads and loads and loads to tell you
about that grand vilyun. Didn't he come nigh doing for that lamb? Never
mind, honey"--this to the half-conscious Odalite--"I know it seems hard
for you, 'specially if you was fond of him--though why you should 'a'
been--Lord! Anyhow, bad as it is now, it would 'a' been a heap worse if
he'd 'a' married you and then you'd found out as he had another wife
a-living."

Odalite took