“How do you do, Fabian?  I came in the most commonplace way you can imagine—­by the night express train—­and have only just now arrived,” replied Mr. Clarence.

“And how goes on the works?” inquired Fabian Rockharrt.

“Admirably.”

“Glad to hear it.  And what brought you here, if it is a civil question?”

“It isn’t a civil question, but I’ll answer it all the same.  I came to see Cora once more, to spend the last Sabbath with her and to accompany her as far on the journey to-morrow as our way runs together, which will be as far as the North End Junction.”

“And you will not reach North End before Monday night!  A whole day lost at the works, Clarence!  Ah! it is well you have me to deal with instead of the father—­Heaven rest his soul!”

“See here, Fabian,” said Mr. Clarence, “for a very little more I will go with Cora all the way to Fort Farthermost, as her natural protector and helper in her missionary work.  What, indeed, have I to keep me here in the East since the father left us?  Nothing whatever.  You have your wife and child; I have no one.  Cora is nearer to me than any other being.”

“Come!  Come down to breakfast.  You have been traveling all night without food, I feel sure; and fasting and vigils never were means of grace to a Rockharrt.  Come!” said Mr. Fabian, with a laugh.

“I must get a room and go to it first.  Look at me!” said Clarence.

“You do look like the ash man or blacksmith, certainly.  Well, come along; we’ll go to the office and get a room, and then you can get some of that dust off you.  It won’t take ten minutes.  After that we will go to breakfast.”

The brothers left the parlor together.

The next moment Violet entered it, and bade good morning to Corona, who in turn told her of the new arrival.

“Clarence!  Oh, I am so glad!  What an addition he will be to our party, Cora, especially after you have left us, my dear, when we shall miss you so sadly,” said Violet.

Cora made no reply.  She disliked to tell Violet that she, Violet, would lose the society of Clarence at the same time that she would lose that of herself, as her uncle was to leave Washington by the same train.

While they were still talking the two brothers re-entered the parlor.

When Fabian demanded whether they were ready to go down to breakfast, and received a satisfactory answer, he drew the arm of his wife within his own, and led the way down stairs.  Clarence and Corona followed.  When they entered the breakfast saloon, the polite waiter came forward and ushered them to a table at which Captain and Mrs. Neville were already seated.  Morning greetings were exchanged, and Mr. Clarence was introduced and welcomed.

After breakfast all the party went to church.

Then Clarence and Corona spent the afternoon together at one end of the long parlor, which was so long and had so many recesses that half a dozen separate groups might have isolated themselves there, each without fear of their conversation being overheard by the others.