“Please, my dear, I must beg you not to intrude,” replied the Colonel, quite losing control of himself. “Mamma, good night. I am going with Paul tonight. I cannot stay here one moment longer. When Paul goes out of that door I go too.” Her cheeks were a flame of colour, her eyes a blaze of light. “Wait, Peggy. I am going with you,” said her mother, going to her side. “Augusta? Going? Where?” exclaimed her husband, aghast. “With my daughter,” replied his wife, her head high. “I have no doubt but Paul can find a place for us tonight.” “Mr. Fraser,” said Paul, “would you be able to give me your services tomorrow afternoon, at a marriage ceremony?” “That I will, my boy, with all my heart,” said the minister. “And you, sir,” he continued, facing the Colonel, “it is my duty to inform you that you are acting in an unworthy and un-Christian manner.” “Sir,” replied the Colonel haughtily, “I beg to inform you that neither my honour nor my conscience are in your keeping.” “Come, Peggy,” said his wife. “We will get ready.” “Augusta!” said her husband faintly. “You are not going?” “Edgar, you are breaking the girl’s heart,” said his wife, with a break in her voice, on her face a look tender, wistful, reminiscent. “And I know what that means.” “You know? Augusta!” “Yes, by bitter experience,” said his wife. “By bitter experience?” echoed her husband faintly, all the fight gone out of him. “Do you mean that I—— My God, Augusta! What do you mean?” “No, no, Edgar! Don’t be a goose! You have been a perfect dear to me all these years. But can’t you see that you are breaking Peg’s heart?” said his wife, coming nearer to him. “Augusta!” implored the Colonel, opening his arms toward her. “Have I ever in any way hurt—injured—broken—— Good God, Augusta!” The little man’s voice grew husky. “Dear, dear Daddy,” cried Peg, running to him and throwing her arms round her father’s neck. “I have been a wicked girl. But Paul loves me, as you love Mamma. And, Daddy, I love Paul. And who was it taught me to love Paul, long ago? It was you, Daddy, it was your own self, Daddy, when you used to love him. You don’t want to break my heart?” “Break your heart, Peggy? My little Peggy!” said the Colonel, sniffing and fumbling for his handkerchief. “Here, Paul, take care of this girl,” he said, pushing Peg away from him. “Augusta, my dear, if ever I have in any way, by word——” “Hush, you silly man. You have been a perfect angel to me,” said his wife, putting her arms about him and kissing him. “Guy!” said the Colonel, when he had wiped his eyes and recovered his speech, “I deeply regret your disappointment. You will assure Sir Stephen that somehow this thing got beyond me. I did for you all a man could, but Peg must follow her heart.” “I think, sir,” said Guy, greatly relieved, “you have really hit it. I quite agree. Of course, Peg must follow her heart.”