"My dear Hammond, I can do nothing of the kind," returned Elizabeth, glancing round in an alarmed way. "Father has refused to have them at Brooklyn; and it will annoy him terribly if you were to take any notice of them." But to this Hammond turned a deaf ear, and, though he forbore to question her any further on that occasion, he had fully made up his mind that the introduction should take place as soon as possible. As it fell out, accident favored him the very next day; for, as he was calling with his sister, at the White House, who should be announced the next minute but the Misses Challoner,--Phillis and Dulce, who had been bidden to afternoon tea! Mrs. Cheyne kissed and welcomed them both. Then Captain Middleton was introduced; and they were soon chatting merrily together, to Elizabeth's secret amusement. Captain Middleton made himself very agreeable to the two girls, as Dulce observed afterwards. She had never before been so deceived in a man's appearance,--for he was not solemn at all; and, though the serious brown eyes certainly inspected them rather critically from time to time, he proved himself a bright amusing companion, and fully bore out his father's and sister's encomiums. The Middletons were easily induced to prolong their visit. Elizabeth felt herself a traitor to her father; but she could not refuse Hammond's imploring glance. And so they stayed, and all took their leave together. Mr. Cheyne walked down to the gate with them. He had an errand in the town; and he and Elizabeth walked behind the young people, talking them over in a low voice. Now, it so happened that Colonel Middleton was trudging down the Braidwood Road; and as he neared the White House he looked up, and there was his son walking contentedly with a Challoner girl on each side of him, and the three were laughing merrily. It was Dulce who saw him first. "There comes your father!" she said; and she began to blush as she had done on the day when he had left her at the gate of Brooklyn, talking to Elizabeth. Hammond proved himself quite worthy of the occasion. "Well met, father," he called out, cheerily, "We seem all going one way. I suppose no one needs any introduction? Of course you know my father, Miss Challoner?" Then the colonel threw down his arms. He had fought very bravely on his son's behalf; but, after all his labors, his bristling defences and skilful retreats, Hammond had of his own free will delivered himself into the hands of the Philistines. What was the use of guarding an empty citadel?--his treasure was already in the enemy's grasp. All this was written on the colonel's lugubrious face as he bowed stiffly and walked in sorrowful silence beside them, shaking his white head at intervals; but no one but Dulce took any notice of his sombre mood.