for him till
to-morrow."

Kate was recovering her self-possession in proportion as she realized the
situation. That she was vexed over her bridegroom's arrival neither of the
two witnesses could doubt. It stung her sister with a deep pity for David.
He was not getting as much in Kate as he was giving. But there was no time
for such thoughts, besides Marcia was trembling from head to foot, partly
with her own daring, partly with wrath at her sister's words.

"For shame, Kate!" she cried. "How can you talk so, even in fun! David
came to surprise you, and I think he had a right to expect to find you
here so near to the time of your marriage."

There was a flash in the young eyes as she said it, and a delicate lifting
of her chin with the conviction of the truth she was speaking, that gave
her a new dignity even in the moonlight. Captain Leavenworth looked at her
in lazy admiration and said:

"Why, Marsh, you're developing into quite a spitfire. What have you got on
to-night that makes you look so tall and handsome? Why didn't you stay in
and talk to your fine gentleman? I'm sure he would have been just as well
satisfied with you as your sister."

Marcia gave one withering glance at the young man and then turned her back
full upon him. He was not worth noticing. Besides he was to be pitied, for
he evidently cared still for Kate.

But Kate was fairly white with anger. Perhaps her own accusing conscience
helped it on. Her voice was imperious and cold. She drew herself up
haughtily and pointed toward the house.

"Marcia Schuyler," she said coldly, facing her sister, "go into the house
and attend to your own affairs. You'll find that you'll get into serious
trouble if you attempt to meddle with mine. You're nothing but a child yet
and ought to be punished for your impudence. Go! I tell you!" she stamped
her foot, "I will come in when I get ready."

Marcia went. Not proudly as she might have gone the moment before, but
covered with confusion and shame, her head drooping like some crushed lily
on a bleeding stalk. Through her soul rushed indignation, mighty and
forceful; indignation and shame, for her sister, for David, for herself.
She did not stop to analyze her various feelings, nor did she stop to
speak further with those in the house. She fled to her own room, and
burying her face in the pillow she wept until she fell asleep.

The moon-shadows grew longer about the arbored gateway where the two she
had left stood