we have mentioned were
seen. The tell-tale blush--the voice unconsciously lowered to the most
thrilling softness--the timid glance--the deep-drawn sigh--the absent,
vacant appearance when separated for a short time from each other--the
supreme happiness when together--all were signs which escaped not the
eyes of the sister and mother, although the matter-of-fact father
failed to notice such trifles. His days of courtship had become a
fable, if they were not forgotten.

If there were any displeasure at this state of affairs upon the part of
her mother, it was only because she believed her daughter too young to
entertain thoughts of marriage. Like a wise and prudent parent,
however, she did not seek to accomplish an impossibility--that of
preventing what no parent yet succeeded in preventing. Having great
confidence in the young Lieutenant, from the representations of her
husband, she merely resolved to be discreet with him. Accordingly,
when, on the day of his departure, he found courage to mention his love
of Mary to her parents, the mother took it upon her to reply that she
entertained no objection to his suit, but, from the youth of her
daughter, he must not expect their consent to a union for several
years. At the same time she gracefully hinted that the suddenness of
his passion might well excite suspicion that it was hardly genuine.
Delighted beyond measure at this answer, Lieutenant Canfield added that
he would not claim her hand until both father and mother were fully
satisfied, and until he had proven to them that he was worthy of their
daughter. Thus matters stood when Captain Prescott and the Lieutenant
took their departure.

Matters were somehow or other so arranged that the Lieutenant found
opportunity to visit the family of Captain Prescott oftener than the
Captain himself. On these occasions, the mother was pleased to observe
that while the attachment between him and her daughter became more and
more marked, the Lieutenant always manifested the most scrupulous
respect for the wishes of her parents, and never breathed a word to her
that he believed could occasion the slightest objection upon their part.

Besides these visits, the lovers found ready means for exchanging their
expressions of affection through the faithful Huron, Oonomoo, who made
stated journeys from Captain Prescott's mansion to his post. On these
occasions, he went loaded with missives from one party to another,
carrying back as