So, with the midsummer brightness came joyful times at last. We were all together one afternoon in the assembly hall at the fort. It was a room filled with memories to me. There the Earl had tasted salt when I visited him on my first day in New York; there I had seen the patroon baited to his fall, which he had withstood with quiet dignity; I had seen it full of light and of the sound of merry music on the night when I brought the dreadful news of Sir Evelin’s escape and of the danger which threatened to fall upon the city from the sea. But now all was changed and well in keeping with the brightness of the day without. Sir Evelin and I were in one corner of the room listening with considerable amusement to a debate which was going on in the center by the great carved table. Lady Marmaduke and the Earl were striving with as much heat as good nature would allow; and Miriam, the cause of their dispute, stood beside them. “I tell you,” cried Lady Marmaduke hotly, “I tell you it is all nonsense. She shall be married at Marmaduke Hall.” Miriam looked at me and smiled as the Earl replied: “Nay, nay, I have a greater claim. She shall be married in the fort, with all the pomp of martial music, and my guard drawn up in line, and all that.” “Bah, what is your claim?” cried Lady Marmaduke, stamping her foot upon the floor. “I will not have it. She shall be married in my house or I’ll never stir from this spot. What claim have you that she should be married here?” “If it comes to that,” replied the Earl, with a smile, “I shall make a claim straightway.” With that he took from the table a legal looking document and handed it to Miriam. “Unfold, my child, and read what has been set down therein.” “What, what is this?” cried Miriam, as she cast her eye down the ponderous instrument. “This is the title to the estate of Hanging Rock. What have I to do with that? You told me that my father had resigned it into your hands as an act of justice.” “So he did. Read on, my dear.” Suddenly the bright spots came out upon her cheeks. “Can I believe my eyes? It is new engrossed and in my name. Do you mean that the manor-house and park belong to me?” “Ay; to you and to your heirs forever.” “Oh, Sir Richard! How can I thank you!” “Now does the King’s fort deserve the honor of your wedding?” “Miriam, you will choose Marmaduke Hall.” “Choose the fort,” said the Earl. “Let me speak to Vincent.” She came across the room and whispered to me for a moment. But her mind was already made up, and she soon returned. “I thank you both,” she said. “I thank you kindly. But since I hold this title in my hand, I think—yes, I am sure that Vincent and I shall be married in my own manor at the Hanging Rock.”