s wife to
mortgage everything she has got. Yes; but you don't tell who Cornelius
says is behind Colonel Proudfit. Didn't he say?"

"Please, seh, Mr. March, ef Majo'----"

"That's all, Johanna, I'm much obliged to you. It may be, you know, that
there isn't a word of truth in the whole thing; but in any case you'll
never--No, that's right." He turned to Fannie. "I must change my ticket
and check; I'm going with you."

LXVI.

WARM HEARTS, HOT WORDS, COOL FRIENDS

About that same hour the next day John stepped off the train at Suez and
turned to let Fannie down; but a pair of uplifted arms came between the
two, and Launcelot Halliday, with the back of his velvet coat close to
the young man's face, said, "I'll take care of my daughter, John; you
can look after any business of your own that may need you."

"Why, Pop!" exclaimed Fannie. The color flushed up to her brows. John
gazed at him in haughty silence.

"Come on, Johanna," said the old General, heartily. "Good-by, John. When
can I see you in your office?"

"Whenever I'm there, and not too busy!" replied March as he strode away.

"We'll go to the old house for to-night, Johanna," said Fannie, and did
not speak again until she began to draw off her gloves in her father's
parlor. Her face was white, her dark eyes wide; but her voice was slow
and kind.

"Yes, Johanna, go along to my room. I'll be there directly." She shut
the door and folded her gloves, smiling like a swordsman rolling up his
sleeves.

"Pop, I've owed you a-many an explanation that I've never paid. You
never owed me one in your life till now; but"--her eyes flashed--"you
owe it this time to the roots of your hair."

"Fan, that's a mighty poor beginning for the explanation I expect from
you."

His tone was one of forbearance, but before he could finish she was as
red as a flower. "I belong to my husband! When I've anything to explain
I'll explain to him."

"Fannie Halliday----"

"Ravenel, if you please, sir."

He smiled severely. "Have a chair, Mrs. Ravenel. Fan, you're married to
a man who never asks an explanation."

The two gazed upon each other in silence. His accustomed belief in her
and her ardent love for him were already stealing back into their
hearts. Nevertheless----

"O, sir!" she exclaimed, "tell me something I don't know! Yes! But I'm
married to a man who waits for things to explain themselves."

"Or till they're past all explanation, Fan."

"Yes, sir; yes! Bu