know my
father, Miss Challoner?"

Then the colonel threw down his arms. He had fought very bravely on
his son's behalf; but, after all his labors, his bristling defences
and skilful retreats, Hammond had of his own free will delivered
himself into the hands of the Philistines. What was the use of
guarding an empty citadel?--his treasure was already in the enemy's
grasp.

All this was written on the colonel's lugubrious face as he bowed
stiffly and walked in sorrowful silence beside them, shaking his white
head at intervals; but no one but Dulce took any notice of his sombre
mood.

Dulce was very timid by nature. She was the least outspoken of the
three, and always kept in the background, like a modest little flower
that loved the shade; but she was very soft-hearted, and had great
regard for people's feelings. And the old man's downcast looks pained
her; for how was she to know that he was secretly pleased at this
meeting?

"I hope--I wish--you did not mind knowing us so much. But it has not
been our fault this afternoon," sighed Dulce, stammering and blushing
over her words. "You will believe that, will you not, Colonel
Middleton?"

If a cannon shot had been fired into the old warrior's ear, he could
hardly have started more than he did at these childish words. He
looked round. There was the little girl, looking up at him with the
innocent eyes he remembered so well, and her mouth puckered a little
as though she wanted to cry.

This was more than any man could bear, even if he had a harder heart
than Colonel Middleton.

"My dear," he said, taking the little hand, "I have always wanted to
know you; Elizabeth will tell you that. I lost my heart to your
sisters the first day I saw them. I am sure we shall be good friends
in time, if you will forgive an old man's pride." And then he patted
her hand as though she had been an infant.

When Mr. Drummond sat down to dinner that evening, he astonished
Mattie very much by saying,--

"You can ask the Middletons, after all, for your tea-party, if you
like, Mattie. What wonderful sight do you think I saw just now? Why,
the colonel himself coming out from the Friary, and all the three
girls were round him, chattering as though they had known him all
their life; and I am pretty sure that in spite of the dark, I saw 'son
Hammond' behind him." And Mattie, glad of the permission, gave the
invitation the next day.

Mattie grew a little alarmed as the evening approached. I