Ishmael hastily glanced over the accounts of the affair as contained in each of these. But though the articles were long and wordy they afforded him no new information. They told him what he already knew; that the Viscount Vincent had filed a petition for divorce from his viscountess on the ground of infidelity; that the lady was the daughter of an American chief- justice; that she was a beauty and an heiress; that Lord Vincent had formed her acquaintance at the President's house during his official visit to Washington; that he had married her during the past summer; and after an extended bridal tour had brought her in October to Castle Cragg, when the suspicions that led to subsequent discovery and ultimate separation were first aroused, etc., etc., etc. "All that is very unsatisfactory. I wish we knew the suspicious circumstances," said Mr. Brudenell. "I believe there were no suspicious circumstances. I believe the whole affair to be a conspiracy against Lady Vincent," said Ishmael. "But what motive could the viscount have for conspiracy against her?" "The motive of getting rid of her, while he retains her fortune, which most unluckily was not settled upon herself." While Mr. Brudenell stood gazing with consternation upon the speaker, there came flying from the house a negro boy, who said that he was sent to tell them that the breakfast was ready. They returned to the house and joined the family at the cheerful breakfast table. It was a large party that met in the parlor afterwards to go to church. And a gig in addition to the capacious family carriage was in attendance. "Ishmael," said Mr. Middleton, in the kindly thoughtfulness of his nature, "you will drive Bee in the gig. The rest of us will go in the carriage." "Thank you very much, Mr. Middleton," answered the young man, as he smilingly led his betrothed to the gig, placed her in it and seated himself beside her. "Go on--go on ahead! We shall not ride over you in our lumbering old coach!" said Mr. Middleton. Ishmael nodded, took the reins, and started. The road lay along the high banks of the river above the sands. "How delightful it is to spend this day with you, dear Bee!" he said, as they bowled along. "Oh, yes! and it is delightful to us all to have you here, Ishmael!" she said; and then, with a slight depression in her tone, she inquired: "Will you be gone to Europe long?" "No, dearest Bee. I shall dispatch the business that takes me there as quickly as I can and hasten back," he replied; but he forbore to hint the nature of this business; it was a subject with which he did not wish to wound the delicate ear of Bee Middleton. "I hope you will enjoy your voyage," she said, smiling on him.