She forgot that there was the same disparity between the captain and Anna as between him and ’Lena, but Durward did not, and with a derisive smile he listened, while she proceeded to give her reasons for thinking that a desire to supplant Anna was the sole object which ’Lena had in view, for what else could have prompted that midnight ride to Sunnyside.  Again Durward smiled, but before he could answer, the bride-groom elect stood before them, looking rather crestfallen, but evidently making a great effort to appear as usual.

“And so the bird has flown?” said he, “Well, it takes a Yankee, after all, to manage a case, but how did he find it out?”

Briefly Mrs. Livingstone explained to him Lena’s agency in the matter, omitting, this time, to impute to her the same motive which she had done when stating the case to Durward.

“So ’Lena is at the bottom of it?” said he, rubbing his little fat, red hands.  “Well, well, where is she?  I’d like to see her.”

“Corinda, tell ’Lena she is wanted in the parlor,” said Mrs. Livingstone, while Durward, not wishing to witness the interview, arose to go, but Mrs. Livingstone urged him so hard to stay, that he at last resumed his seat on the sofa by the side of Carrie.

“Captain Atherton wishes to question you concerning the part you have taken in this elopement,” said Mrs. Livingstone, sternly, as ’Lena appeared in the doorway.

“No, I don’t,” said the captain, gallantly offering ’Lena a chair.  “My business with Miss Rivers concerns herself.”

“I am here, sir, to answer any proper question,” said ’Lena, proudly, at the same time declining the proffered seat.

“There’s an air worthy of a queen,” thought the captain, and determining to make his business known at once, he arose, and turning toward Mrs. Livingstone, Durward and Carrie, whom he considered his audience, he commenced:  “What I am about to say may seem strange, but the fact is, I want a wife.  I’ve lived alone long enough.  I waited for Anna eighteen years, and now’s she gone.  Everything is in readiness for the bridal; the guests are invited; nothing wanting but the bride.  Now if I could find a substitute.”

“Not in me,” muttered Carrie, drawing nearer to Durward, while with a sarcastic leer the captain continued:  “Don’t refuse before you are asked, Miss Livingstone.  I do not aspire to the honor of your hand, but I do ask Miss Rivers to be my wife—­here before you all.  She shall live like a princess—­she and her grandmother both.  Come, what do you say?  Many a poor girl would jump at the chance.”

The rich blood which usually dyed ’Lena’s cheek was gone, and pale as the marble mantel against which she leaned, she answered, proudly, “I would sooner die than link my destiny with one who could so basely deceive my cousin, making her believe it was her betrothed husband whom he saw in Washington instead of his uncle!  Marry you?  Never, if I beg my bread from door to door!”