A new light, a new hope, began to dawn upon him, and he was about to speak impetuously when Mr. Vosburgh appeared and said, "Merwyn, I've been watching two men who passed and repassed the house, and who seem to be reconnoitring." As Merwyn and Marian accompanied him to the parlor they heard the heavy booming of cannon off on the east side, and it was repeated again and again. "Those are ominous sounds at this time of night," said Mr. Vosburgh. "That they don't come from the rioters is a comfort," Merwyn replied; "but it proves what I said before,--they are becoming more bold and reckless." "It may also show that the authorities are more stern and relentless in dealing with them." At last the sounds of conflict died away, the street appeared quiet and deserted, and they all returned to the dining-room. The light enabled Merwyn to look eagerly and questioningly at Marian. She smiled, flushed, and, quickly averting her eyes, began to speak on various topics in a way that warned Merwyn to restrain all further impatience; but she inspired so strong and delicious a hope that he could scarcely control himself. He even fancied that there was at times a caressing accent in her tone when she spoke to him. "Surely," he thought, "if what I said were repugnant, she would give some hint of the fact; but how can it be possible that so soon--" "Come, Marian, I think you may safely retire now," said her father; "I hear Riten coming up." Even as he spoke, a front parlor window was crashed in. Merwyn and Mr. Vosburgh sprung into the hall, revolvers in hand; Riten instinctively fled back towards the stairs leading to the basement, in which she had extinguished the light, and Mr. Vosburgh told his daughter to follow the servant. But she stood still, as if paralyzed, and saw a man rushing upon him with a long knife. Mr. Vosburgh fired, but, from agitation, ineffectually. Merwyn at the same moment had fired on another man, who fell. A fearful cry escaped from the girl's lips as she saw that her father was apparently doomed. The gleaming knife was almost above him. Then--how it happened she could never tell, so swift was the movement--Merwyn stood before her father. The knife descended upon his breast, yet at the same instant his pistol exploded against the man's temple, and the miscreant dropped like a log. There were sounds of other men clambering in at the window, and Mr. Vosburgh snatched Merwyn back by main force, saying to Marian, "Quick! for your life! down the stairs!" The moment the door closed upon them all he slid the heavy bolt. Riten stood sobbing at the foot of the stairs. "Hush!" said Mr. Vosburgh, sternly. "Each one obey me. Out through the area door instantly."