He tore the letter into fragments; but the next moment he picked them up, folded them in a piece of paper, and put them in his pocket. Then he went to Mrs. Gordon's. She had anticipated the visit, and was, in a measure, prepared for it. With a smile and outstretched hands, she rose from her chocolate to meet him. "You see, I am a terrible sluggard, Councillor," she laughed; "but the colonel left early for Boston this morning, and I cried myself into another sleep. And will you have a cup of chocolate? I am sure you are too polite to refuse me." "Madam, I came not on courtesy, but for my daughter. Where is my Katherine?" "Truth, sir, I believe her to be where every woman wishes,--with her husband. I am sure I wish the colonel was with me." "Her husband! Who, then?" "Indeed, Councillor, that is a question easily answered,--my nephew, Captain Hyde, at your service. You perceive, sir, we are now connections; and I assure you I have the highest sense imaginable of the honour." "When were they married?" "In faith, I have forgotten the precise date. It was in last October; I know it was, because I had just received my winter manteau,--my blue velvet one, with the fur bands.' "Who married them?" [Illustration: "Madam, I come not on courtesy"] "Oh, indeed! It was the governor's chaplain,--the Rev. Mr. Somers, a relative of my Lord Somers, a most estimable and respectable person, I assure you. Colonel Gordon, and Captain Earle, and myself, were the witnesses. The governor gave the license; and, in consideration of Dick's health, the ceremony was performed in his room. All was perfectly correct and regular, I"-- "It is not the truth. Pardon, madam; full of trouble am I. And it was all irregular, and very wicked, and very cruel. If regular and right it had been, then in secret it had not taken place." "Admit, Councillor, that then it had not taken place at all; or, at least, Richard would have had to wait until Katherine was of age." "So; and that would have been right. Until then, if love had lasted, I would have said, 'Their love is stronger than my dislike;' and I would have been content." "Ah, sir, there was more to the question than that! My nephew's chances for life were very indifferent, and he desired to shield Katherine's name with his own"-- "_Christus!_ What say you, madam? Had Katherine no father?" "Oh, be not so warm, Councillor! A husband's name is a far bigger shield than a father's. I assure you that the world forgives a married woman what it would not forgive an angel. And I must tell you, also, that Dick's very life depended on the contentment which he felt in his success. It is the part of humanity to consider that." "Twice over deceived I have been then"--