“Dr. Willet has not yet returned from the Wilderness, and Mrs. Warde is too much indisposed to join us. We need not wait for either,” said Mrs. Catherine Bruce. “Very well, then, we won’t! Leonidas, bring Emolyn in to dinner. Ronald, take Miss Palmer. Catherine, allow me,” said the commodore as he gave his arm to his sister-in-law and led the way to the dining-room, where the housekeeper had laid a sumptuous feast in honor of the newly-arrived. That was a memorable dinner. Every one enjoyed it, and no one more than the reunited couple and the young lovers. When the cloth was removed a few toasts were drunk—to the returned traveler, to the reunited husband and wife, and finally to the commodore. When the ladies rose to leave the table the gentlemen did not, on this occasion, linger over their wine, but followed them at once to the drawing-room. It was nine o’clock, and they were at the height of their enjoyment of this family reunion when the clatter of a horse’s hoofs was heard rapidly galloping up the rocky road leading to the gate of the yard. Before any one could hazard a conjecture on the subject the hall door was opened and the voice of Dr. Willet heard in excited tones demanding: “Where is your master?” The footman was heard to reply: “In the drawing-room, sir.” On this Commodore Bruce started up, exclaiming: “What now?” and he left the room. He met the doctor full tilt at the door. “Commodore Bruce, there is not a moment to be lost! I ordered the carriage as I came through the stable yard!” “But what is the matter?” demanded the commodore of the excited speaker. “I have a most startling and important revelation from the dying woman, Ann Whitlock, who has partly recovered her speech. It is a revelation that must be received under oath in presence of a magistrate. It is in your capacity as a justice of the peace that I want you at the bedside of this dying woman.” “I will be ready in five minutes,” replied the commodore with his old martial promptitude. “And not only yourself, but your son, Leonidas Bruce, his wife, Emolyn, and the young girl whom we have known only as Em. Palmer.” “What! Do you mean to say that they must go, too?” “Yes.” “But what have _they_ to do with this?” “Everything! Everything connected with their honor, prosperity and happiness.” CHAPTER XXXVI A STARTLING STORY If hearty sorrow Be a sufficient ransom for offence, I tender it here; I do as truly suffer As e’er I did commit. SHAKESPEARE. Great was the wonder in the drawing-room when Dr. Willet entered, and after a sweeping bow that took in the whole circle, went straight up to Leonidas Bruce and said: