A thousand heartfelt thanks for your princely munificence and hospitality.  I avail myself of both gladly and at once.  I shall leave Baltimore by the 8:30 a.m., and arrive at the North End Station at 6:30 p.m.

“That is her message.  Now I wish you to have everything in readiness for her.  I shall go in person to the depot and bring her home with me when I return in the evening.  Of course it will be two hours later than usual when I get back here.  You will, therefore, have the dinner put back until nine o’clock on this occasion.”

Cora bowed.  She could scarcely trust her voice to answer in words.

Mr. Rockharrt, absorbed in his own thoughts and plans, never noticed her coldness and silence.  He soon finished breakfast, left the table, and a few minutes later entered his carriage to drive to North End.

“‘Pears to me old marse is jes’ wonderful, Miss Cora.  To go to his business every day like clock work, and he ’bout seventy-seven years old.  And jes’ as straight and strong as a pine tree!  Yes, and as hard as a pine knot!  He’s wonderful, that he is!” said old Jason, the gray haired negro butler, when he came in from seeing his master off and began to clear away the breakfast service.

“Yes; your master is a fine, strong man, Jason—­physically,” replied Cora, who was beginning to doubt the mental soundness of her grandfather!

“Physicking!  No, indeed!  ’Tain’t that as makes the old g’eman so strong.  He nebber would take no physic in all his life.  It’s consternation, that’s w’at it is—­his good, healthy consternation!”

“Very likely!” replied Cora, who was too much disturbed to set the old man right.

She left the breakfast parlor, and went up stairs to superintend in person the preparation for the comfort of the expected guest.

CHAPTER XII.

THE SIREN AND THE DESPOT.

That May night was clear and cool.  The sky was brilliant with stars, sparkling and flashing from the pure, dark blue empyrean.

In the house it was chilly, so Cora had caused fires to be built in all the grates.

The drawing room at Rockhold presented a very attractive appearance, with its three chandeliers of lighted wax candles, its cheerful fire of sea coal, its warm crimson and gold coloring of carpets and curtains, and its luxurious easy chairs, sofas and ottomans, its choice pictures, books, bronzes and so forth.  In the small dining room the table was set for dinner, in the best spare room all was prepared for its expected occupant.

Cora, in her widow’s cap and dress, sat in an arm chair before the drawing room fire, awaiting the arrival.  Half past eight had been the hour named by her grandfather for their coming.  But a few minutes after the clock had struck, the sound of carriage wheels was heard on the avenue approaching the house.

Old Jason opened the hall door just as the vehicle drew up and stopped.