"In Marietta." "When?" "A good while ago. On the day I left for St. Louis." "You never told me." Danvers looked hard at Arlington, who felt called upon to explain. "Madam, I challenged Captain Danvers to fight." Evaleen's blue eyes opened wide. "Challenged Warren!" "Yes." "And you accepted the challenge?" "Yes." "Why, brother!" Arlington's heart leapt within him. "Brother?" he stammered. "Captain Danvers your brother?" "He is my half brother." Danvers laughed out. Putting his arm around Evaleen, he said, "Mr. Arlington, if you are still disposed to fight me, we may meet when you please. But I am of the opinion you will learn from Evaleen that you have more cause to cherish hard feelings against the man you champion than against me." "At any rate," said Arlington, as the two shook hands, "whatever you may think concerning Colonel Burr, this is not the place nor time for quarrelling. You have the Spaniards to fight--I must fight a rash temper." Lucrece, pale and sad-eyed, was leaning upon her father's shoulder. Evaleen hastened to her, and the doctor went up to Arlington to pour out endless thanks. "Are you sick, Lucrece? Shall we go to the boat?" "Sick, sick at heart." "There is a way to cure that." "No, my Evaleen, there is no cure. But you shall it all forgive. How could I know? You say you sometime tell me the story I read, alas, too late." "Story? What story?" "Ah, my sweet friend--pardon me--pity Lucrece. _Mon soldat--mon capitaine_, you love heem--he love you--how shall we not hate us?" The captain made bold to approach the ladies. When his eyes met those of Lucrece, Evaleen interpreted the silent language exchanged. "Lucrece, your soldier is my brother, you jealous little tigress! But," she added in a whisper, "don't let him kiss you again." Danvers, without delay, gave directions for all to embark, and himself conducted Lucrece and her jubilant father on board. Arlington, escorting the Lady of the Violets, asked her, in an undertone, "Did you get my last letter from Virginia?" "Yes," answered Evaleen. "Did you receive mine, in which I explained the mistakes of Byle?" "No; I did not get such a letter. Tell me all the contents." "That will require time." "Did you answer my--my question?" "Wait until you see the letter." "I don't think I can wait." "Then until we can talk on the boat." Danvers proposed to take the crew and passengers of the wrecked barge Buckeye aboard his transport and carry them as far south as Natchez, where a family boat could be procured for the continuance of their voyage to New Orleans. Arlington, of course, was accommodated; also his faithful horse, Jetty, which had followed him down the margin of the bayou. The understanding was that Winslow should conduct the doctor and the ladies from Natchez to New Orleans, leaving Danvers free to march his troops to Natchitoches, while Arlington remained in Natchez to transact the business intrusted to him by Burr.