"It should not stand!" roared Abel Force, in sudden wrath. "It should be dissolved by law! In no case shall my daughter ever behold the face of that wretch again!" "De Reberent Dr. Peters, sah, is waitin' to see yer," said Jake, putting his head into the door. "Is there any one in the drawing room?" "No, sah." "Then show Dr. Peters into the drawing room, and tell him that I will see him there in a moment." The man went to give his message. Mr. Force put away his papers, locked his desk, and arose, saying: "Come, Le; our suspense will be ended in another minute." "I have been in painful suspense," answered the young man, as they went up the front hall, and entered the drawing room on the right hand side. Dr. Peters arose and advanced to meet them. "Good-morning, reverend sir; I am glad to see you. In one word, now: Have you an answer to your telegram?" "Yes." "And what is it?" "The marriage certificate shown you is genuine. It corresponds in every particular with the entry of the same date in the parish register of the church of St. Sebastian where the ceremony was performed." "Thank Heaven! then my daughter is free!" exclaimed Abel Force. "Here is the telegram--a very lengthy but quite satisfactory one," said the rector, drawing from his pocket a large coil of what looked like white measuring tape. Abel Force took it and read it aloud. It need not be repeated here. Enough to say that it was conclusive. "And the scoundrel knew that he had a living wife, when he led my daughter to the altar! Reverend sir, what should a father, in his righteous wrath, do with such a man?" demanded Abel Force, livid with rage. "Leave him to the divine Providence," reverently replied the rector. Abel Force ground his teeth; he felt more like becoming a volunteer instrument of the vengeance of divine Providence. "A Christian would curb his passion and let the evildoer go his way," continued the rector. "Then I am a sinner!" exclaimed Le, who had been turning red and white with every ebb and flow of emotion. "A yielding to anger always tends to make bad worse," said Dr. Peters. "Uncle," said Le--who always, it will be remembered, addressed his relative by this title--"have you any more commands for me?" "No, my boy; I only wished you to stay to hear this telegram, if it should come. You have heard it, and now I will relieve you." "Yes, I have heard it! I have heard it! Good-day, uncle! Good-day, Dr. Peters!" said the young man, rising. "When will you be back, Le?" inquired Mr. Force. "Some time this evening, I hope, sir; but don't wait for me," replied the midshipman, and, with another bow, he left the room. "What is that lad thinking of?" anxiously inquired the rector. "Nothing unworthy of my ward, or your pupil, reverend sir, we may be sure of that!" replied the squire. "Young blood is hot and hasty!" sighed the good man. As he spoke, the door opened, and Mrs. Force entered.