Robert then related all that had transpired from the time they left home until their return. He told her how the squire had questioned him about his father and mother, how angry and excited he seemed to get, and about his wanting to know if Dora’s papa was rich, etc. He described the marriage ceremony, their ramble around the grounds, their sail on the lake, and their treat in the house, with such truthful manner that Mrs. Dupont could not doubt him. With trembling fingers and paling lips Mrs. Dupont opened the paper, and saw it was a regular certificate, with the children’s names and ages attached. She could no longer doubt the truth of what she heard and saw. With a low moan the paper dropped from her hand, and she cried out in frightened tones: “Oh, Robert, oh, Dora, my children, what have you done?” “Why, mamma!” exclaimed Dora, in astonishment, “I thought you’d like it. You know I always promised to be Robbie’s wife, and now I am, what makes you feel so? I’m sure I’m as glad as can be.” “Stop!” replied her mother, sternly. “You foolish child, you know not what you have done.” Poor innocent Dora had never heard her mother speak so before, and with her heart almost broken she rushed sobbing into the house, and crouched half frightened in a corner. Robert, who had listened to all that passed, with surprise and almost anger, grew pale himself at Mrs. Dupont’s strange manner, and began to think it had not been such a happy day after all. That he had done a serious thing was certain, though for his part he could not yet see the harm. “Robert,” at length said Mrs. Dupont, “drive home as quickly as you can, and bring your father to me. I must talk this matter over with him immediately.” Robert became seriously alarmed. He thought if he had done anything that demanded a solemn conference with his father, it must be serious indeed. “Auntie,” he said, looking wistfully into her face and addressing her by the old name, “I am sorry you feel so badly about this, but do not blame Dora, for I alone am to blame for all that has happened.” “Go!” she said wearily, pointing toward his buggy. “But please, auntie——” “Go bring your father here. My brain is in a whirl, I cannot think or act until I have seen him.” She stooped and picked up the paper she had dropped, and then entered the house. With a long drawn sigh and a quivering lip he turned to obey her, and entering his buggy, drove rapidly toward home, fearing, he knew not what, but his heart was heavy within his bosom. CHAPTER III. “THE FUTURE WILL SHOW.” While Robert is gone for his father we will return to Squire Moulton’s mansion.