Hanson hurried with his breakfast, yet he had scarcely finished when old Jerusalem came in and said: “Sah, dere is two boats at de lan’in’, an’ de men out’n bofe is comin’ to de house. Is I to denounce dem inter de drawin’-room or inter de kitchen?” “I will go out and meet them on the porch,” said Hanson, rising. He reached the hall door, which ’Rusalem attentively stepped before and opened for him, just as the first men came up—two sailors in the light blue uniform of the _Roma_. They touched their caps and stood at “attention.” “How are you, Coote? How are you, Reeves?” said Hanson, recognizing both; and then, without waiting for answer, he said: “Just follow this old man upstairs, and bring down the trunk he will show you, and take it down to the boat. Jerusalem, show these men the way to my room, and then follow them to the boat with this smaller luggage.” The old negro beckoned the sailors, and conducted them to the upper floor, while Hanson turned to meet the stranger, who had now reached the house, and was stepping upon the piazza. “You are Mr. Hanson?” inquired the stranger, who held a long envelope in his hand. “That’s my name,” replied the young man. “Mr. William Hanson?” “Yes. What can I do for you?” Without replying, the stranger handed him the long envelope. Hanson took it, and drew from it a folded paper, which he opened, and found to be a notice summoning him to appear as a respondent in the suit entered by Roma Fronde for the setting aside of the fraudulent marriage ceremony that had been, without her own knowledge and consent, performed between herself and William Hanson. “Quite right,” said the young man, with a light laugh. “I see what it is. I expected this. It has come in good time to enable me to appear promptly and put a stop to the antics of my lunatic wife and her scoundrelly counsel. This is Thursday. The hearing is set for Monday next. I shall have ample time. Sir, I would ask you to enter the house with me and take refreshments; but, as you see, I am just going away. However, if you will kindly accept the hospitalities of Guyon Hall at the moment of its master’s enforced departure, my servants are at your orders, and will make you comfortable.” “Thank you, Mr. Hanson. I always feel quite at hame in the old house, having known it and its proprietor from youth up. I will go in and taste some of old Aunt Wilet’s applejack or cherry bounce. Don’t let me detain you,” said the officer. And with a bow he passed the usurper and crossed the threshold. Hanson stepped after him, and took his ulster from the peg and drew it on. ’Rusalem came downstairs, followed by the two sailors, bringing the heavy trunk, which they carried out of the house. ’Rusalem gathered up the smaller baggage and went after them. Hanson had just finished buttoning up his ulster, and was drawing on his gloves, when Wilet made her appearance through the back door, complaining: