sinuating voice, as he took
and pressed the hand of the doctor's orphan daughter.

"Excuse me, sir; but, except at meal times, I have not left my room
since"--here her voice broke down; she could not speak to him of her
bereavement, or give way in his presence to her holy sorrow. "Besides,
sir," she added, "Doctor Rocke, I know, has expressed to you his desire
for an early interview."

"My fair young friend, Doctor Rocke, as you style the young man, will
please to be so condescending as to tarry the leisure of his most humble
servant," replied the colonel, with an ironical bow in the direction of
Traverse.

"Perhaps, sir, when you know that Doctor Rocke is charged with the last
uttered will of my dear father, and that it is of more importance than
you are prepared to anticipate, you may be willing to favor us all by
granting this 'young man' an early audience," said Clara.

"The last uttered will! I had supposed that the will of my late
brother-in-law was regularly drawn up and executed and in the hands of
his confidential attorney at Staunton."

"Yes, sir; so it is; but I refer to my father's last dying wishes, his
verbal directions entrusted to his confidential friend Doctor Rocke,"
said Clara.

"Last verbal directions, entrusted to Doctor Rocke. Humph! Humph! this
would require corroborative evidence," said the colonel.

"Such corroborative evidence can be had, sir," said Clara, coldly "and
as I know that Doctor Rocke has already requested an interview for the
sake of an explanation of these subjects, I must also join my own
request to his, and assure you that by giving him an early opportunity
of coming to an understanding with you, you will greatly oblige me."

"Then, undoubtedly, my sweet young friend, your wishes shall be
commands--Eh! you--sir! Doctor--What's-your-name! meet me in the library
at ten o'clock to-morrow morning," said Le Noir, insolently.

"I have engagements, sir, that will occupy me between the hours of ten
and three; before or after that period I am at your disposal," said
Traverse, coldly.

"Pardieu! It seems to me that I am placed at yours!" replied the
colonel, lifting his eyebrows; "but as I am so placed by the orders of
my fair little tyrant here, so be it--at nine to-morrow I am your most
obedient servant."

"At nine, then, sir, I shall attend you," said Traverse, with a cold
bow.

Clara slightly curtsied and withdrew from the room, attended by Mrs.
Rocke.

Traverse, as t