ad the fish
caught? Now _that_ is the vital question.

CHAPTER XI.

_Unusual For A Man._

Never in all of human history was an ambitious woman more satisfied with
the progress of her plans than was Mrs. Arabelle Seabright. In due time
the Hon. H. G. Volrees had formed her acquaintance and it was not long
before they had come to an understanding. Eunice demurred not in the
least when it was made known to her that she was to be Mrs. H. G.
Volrees.

At an opportune time the Hon. H. G. Volrees announced his willingness to
accept a seat in the United States Senate and long before the time of
the election party leaders vied with each other in declaring in his
favor. When the success of his candidacy was assured he approached Mrs.
Seabright with a view to laying claim to his bride. The announcement of
the engagement was made, the date of the marriage was set and
preparations for the great event went on apace. Eunice appeared to enter
heartily into all the plannings, and was seemingly happy to an unusual
degree.

The "Daily Columbian" did its share in stimulating interest in the
forthcoming marriage. Almaville as a whole seemed to be particularly
well pleased with the proposed wedding, involving, as it did, a union of
the wealth and beauty of the North with the brain and chivalry of the
South.

As for Mr. Seabright, the more his family attracted social attention the
more uneasy he grew. At first he did make out to accompany his wife to
church and to theaters; but he had such a way of staring at the ceiling,
avoiding the gaze of people, and hurrying away to escape introductions,
that finally she was glad to leave him at home. Many brilliant social
functions were given at his home, but he was always absent.

A Mrs. Marsh, in whom curiosity was more strongly developed than even in
the rest of her kind, was determined to find out something about this
eccentric Mr. Seabright. She managed to get on intimate terms with Mrs.
Seabright, and was very free in moving to and fro in the Seabright
residence. Her intentions were not however hidden from Mrs. Seabright.
She knew that Mrs. Marsh was planning to get closer to her husband as a
matter of curiosity, and she was glad of the experiment, hoping that
Mrs. Marsh would eventually succeed in making him at home in the social
circle.

There was a sort of turret-shaped cupola crowning the Seabright
residence and Mr. Seabright made this his retreat. It was fitted up
with a t