Hurricane took the hand
of his ward, handed her into the cab and gave the order:

"To the Washington House."

The ride was performed in silence.

Capitola sat deeply blushing at the recollection of her male attire, and
profoundly cogitating as to what could be the relationship between
herself and the gray old man whose claim the Recorder had so promptly
admitted. There seemed but one way of accounting for the great interest
he took in her fate. Capitola came to the conclusion that the grim old
lion before her was no more nor less than--her own father! for alas!
poor Cap had been too long tossed about New York not to know more of
life than at her age she should have known. She had indeed the innocence
of youth, but not its simplicity.

Old Hurricane, on his part, sat with his thick cane grasped in his two
knobby hands, standing between his knees, his grizzled chin resting upon
it and his eyes cast down as in deep thought.

And so in silence they reached the Washington House.

Major Warfield then conducted his ward into the ladies' parlor, and went
and entered his own and her name upon the books as "Major Warfield and
his ward, Miss Black," for whom he engaged two bedrooms and a private
parlor.

Then, leaving Capitola to be shown to her apartment by a chambermaid, he
went out and ordered her luggage up to her room and dismissed the cab.

Next he walked to the Astor House, paid his bill, collected his baggage,
took another carriage and drove back to the Washington Hotel.

All this trouble Old Hurricane took to break the links of his action and
prevent scandal. This filled up a long forenoon.

He dined alone with his ward in their private parlor.

Such a dinner poor Cap had never even smelled before. How immensely she
enjoyed it, with all its surroundings--the comfortable room, the glowing
fire, the clean table, the rich food, the obsequious attendance, her own
genteel and becoming dress, the company of a highly respectable
guardian--all, all so different from anything she had ever been
accustomed to, and so highly appreciated.

How happy she felt! How much happier from the contrast of her previous
wretchedness, to be suddenly freed from want, toil, fear and all the
evils of destitute orphanage, and to find herself blessed with wealth,
leisure and safety, under the care of a rich, good and kind father (or
as such Capitola continued to believe her guardian to be). It was an
incredible thing! It was like a fair