ece of splendid pluck. Do you know, I could see in a
moment there was something out of the common about them? They are all
very pretty,--at least good-looking,--and I liked their quiet style of
dress. You must introduce me to-morrow."

"My dear Hammond, I can do nothing of the kind," returned Elizabeth,
glancing round in an alarmed way. "Father has refused to have them at
Brooklyn; and it will annoy him terribly if you were to take any
notice of them." But to this Hammond turned a deaf ear, and, though he
forbore to question her any further on that occasion, he had fully
made up his mind that the introduction should take place as soon as
possible.

As it fell out, accident favored him the very next day; for, as he was
calling with his sister, at the White House, who should be announced
the next minute but the Misses Challoner,--Phillis and Dulce, who had
been bidden to afternoon tea!

Mrs. Cheyne kissed and welcomed them both. Then Captain Middleton was
introduced; and they were soon chatting merrily together, to
Elizabeth's secret amusement.

Captain Middleton made himself very agreeable to the two girls, as
Dulce observed afterwards. She had never before been so deceived in a
man's appearance,--for he was not solemn at all; and, though the
serious brown eyes certainly inspected them rather critically from
time to time, he proved himself a bright amusing companion, and fully
bore out his father's and sister's encomiums.

The Middletons were easily induced to prolong their visit. Elizabeth
felt herself a traitor to her father; but she could not refuse
Hammond's imploring glance. And so they stayed, and all took their
leave together.

Mr. Cheyne walked down to the gate with them. He had an errand in the
town; and he and Elizabeth walked behind the young people, talking
them over in a low voice.

Now, it so happened that Colonel Middleton was trudging down the
Braidwood Road; and as he neared the White House he looked up, and
there was his son walking contentedly with a Challoner girl on each
side of him, and the three were laughing merrily.

It was Dulce who saw him first.

"There comes your father!" she said; and she began to blush as she
had done on the day when he had left her at the gate of Brooklyn,
talking to Elizabeth.

Hammond proved himself quite worthy of the occasion.

"Well met, father," he called out, cheerily, "We seem all going one
way. I suppose no one needs any introduction? Of course you