silent.  But, to her babe, the young mother was passionate at times in her loving demonstrations.  The pent up waters of feeling gave way in this direction, and poured themselves out, often, in a rushing flood.  Towards all others she bore herself with a calm, sweet dignity of manner, that captivated the heart, and made it sigh for a better acquaintance with one around whom mystery had hung a veil that no hand but her own could push aside—­and that hand was never lifted.

The next event in the Allen House, noted by the people, was the birth of a daughter.  The same nurse was called in, who remained the usual time, and then retired; bearing with her a history of the period, which she related, very confidentially, at tea-tables, and in familiar gossip with choice spirits of her own.

Those who knew her best, were always something in doubt as to which of her stories contained truth and which romance.  The latter element mingled largely, it is presumed, in all of them.

A great change had taken place in the Captain’s manner.  He no longer played the lover to a cold and distant mistress, but carried himself haughtily at times—­captiously at times—­and always with an air of indifference.  All affection seemed transferred to his boy, who was growing self-willed, passionate, and daring.  These qualities were never repressed by his father, but rather encouraged and strengthened.  On learning that his next heir was a daughter, he expressed impatience, and muttered something about its being strangled at birth.  The nurse said that he never deigned even to look at it while she was in the house.

The beautiful young wife showed signs of change, also.  Much of the old sweetness had left her mouth, which was calmer and graver.  Her manner towards Captain Allen, noted before, was of the same quiet, distant character, but more strongly marked.  It was plain that she had no love for him.  The great mystery was, how two so wholly unlike in all internal qualities, and external seeming, could ever have been constrained into the relationship, of man and wife.  She was, evidently, an English woman.  This was seen in her rich complexion, sweet blue eyes, fair hair, and quiet dignity of manner.  Among the many probable and improbable rumors as to her first meeting with Captain Allen, this one had currency.  A sailor, who had seen a good deal of service in the West Indies, told the following story: 

An English vessel from Jamaica, richly freighted, had on board a merchant with his family, returning from a residence of a few years on the island, to the mother country.

They had been out only a day, when a pirate bore down upon them, and made an easy capture of the ship.  The usual bloody scenes of that day followed.  Death, in terrible forms, met the passengers and crew, and the vessel, after being robbed of its costliest treasures, was scuttled and sent down into the far depths of the ocean, from whence no sign could ever come.