She opened the door and appeared upon the threshold, the picture of resigned and heavy sorrow. She had evidently been weeping, and the dark dress in which she had arrayed herself seemed to intensify the look of anguish on her face. The son of science was disconcerted. He did not know what to say, and, with great wisdom, he said nothing. She entered the room without a word, and sat wearily down on a trunk. Elmer quickly rolled out the great easy chair so that it would face the open western window. "Sit here, Miss Denny. This is far more comfortable." "Oh, Elmer! Have you too turned against me?" "Not knowingly. Sit here where there is more air, and before this view and this beautiful sunset." She rose, and with a forlorn smile took the great chair, and then gazed absently out of the window upon the charming landscape, brilliant with the glow of the setting sun. Elmer meanwhile went on with his work, and for a little space neither spoke. Then she said, with a faint trace of impatience in her voice-- "What are you doing, Elmer?" "Preparing for war." "It is useless. It is too late." "Think so?" "Yes. Everything has been settled, and in a very satisfactory manner--at least father is satisfied, and I suppose I ought to be." She smiled and held out her hand to him. "How can I ever thank you, cousin Elmer? You will not forget me when I am gone." "Forget you, Alma! That was unkind." He took her hand, glanced at the diamond ring upon her finger, and looking down upon her as she lay half reclining in the great chair, he said, with an effort, as if the words pained him: "Alma, you have surrendered to him." She looked up with a startled expression, and said: "What do you mean?" "You have renewed your engagement with Mr. Belford?" "Yes--of course I have. He--he is to be my husband----" "On Wednesday." "Yes. How did you know it?" Instead of replying he turned to a drawer and drew forth a long ribbon of white paper. Holding it to the light, near the window, he began to read the words printed in dots and lines upon it. "Here is your own confession. Here are all the messages you sent me from the parlor, when you broke your engagement with him----" "Oh, Elmer! Did you save that? Destroy it--destroy it at once. If he should find it, he would never forgive me." "You need not fear. I shall not destroy it, and it shall never cause you any trouble."