"Yes, I know she loves you, Le, and liked our engagement. And, of course,
all will be right! But, still, I would rather that you should speak to my
mother," persisted the girl, with a dark foreshadowing of evil which she
could not shake off.

"Well, love, I will have a talk with Aunt Elfrida to-night," said Le, with
a laugh.

"No, no, not to-night. We shall be in the drawing room, engaged in some
Christmas games for the children. Do not take her away from the family
circle to-night. To-morrow will do quite as well. You can talk to her
after breakfast," pleaded Odalite, with a shudder she could not control.

"You are cold," said Le. "I have kept you out too long. Come, let us go
home. I will speak to Aunt Elfrida in the morning."

They turned and walked homeward under the moonlight, wintry sky, along the
shore, then up the wooded hill, through the lawn and on to the house, the
whole front of which was brilliantly lighted from within in honor of the
holy, festive season.

They entered, and threw off their wraps in the hall, just as the tea bell
rang.

A merry party assembled around the table, upon which every suitable
Christmas dainty was spread.

After tea the family and guests, with the new addition of Dr. Ingle--who
dropped in, as usual--gathered in the drawing room, and engaged in merry
games, in which they spent the Christmas evening.

CHAPTER XLI

HIS FATE

"Aunt Elfrida, dear, I want to speak to you. Can you give me a few
moments, quite alone, this morning?" inquired Le of Mrs. Force, in a low
voice, as they left the breakfast room together, the last two in the rear
of the party.

"Yes, Le. Come into my siting room, where we shall be uninterrupted,"
replied the lady, in the same subdued tone, and with a somewhat troubled
look, as if she anticipated a painful interview.

The other members of the family passed on through the door on the right
side of the hall and entered the drawing room.

Mrs. Force turned from them and opened the door on the left and preceded
Le into the little parlor.

When they were both in the room, the lady shut the door and turned the
key, and motioned Le to take one armchair on one side of the center table,
while she herself sank into the other, saying:

"Now then, Le, dear boy, I am ready to hear what you wish to say to me."

"Maybe you know, Aunt Elfrida, that I am going to sea in a few days," he
said, leaning over the table toward her.

"Yes, Le, I heard so