"Pop!--" the Colonel looked at the knight,--"Pills!" he surveyed the gentleman of the old school; "I've sad news for you. Passing by the house of old Mr. Somers, an hour or two ago, I discovered that his son had been murdered in his room, you mark me, by an escaped convict, who was found concealed on the premises. Sad news, boys!" "Extraordinary!" cried Pop and Pill in a breath. And the two drew near the principal and conversed at leisure with him; the Colonel all the while watching for the sign! Frank and Nameless! She found him leaning against the central pillar, his arms folded on his breast, his large gray eyes (for the mask had fallen from his face,) roving thoughtfully around the hall. How changed that face! The cheeks, no longer sallow, are flushed with hope; the lips, no longer colorless and dropped apart in vacant apathy, are firmly set together; the broad forehead, still white and massive, is stamped with thought; the thought which, no longer dismayed by the bitter past, looks forward, with a clear vision to the battles of the future. The events of the night had given new life to Nameless. She caught his gaze,--and at once enchained it. His eye derived new fire from her look, but was chained to that look. "It was _my father_ who wished to speak with me, Gulian," she said, and watched each lineament of his countenance. "Your father?" he echoed. "My father, who has worked you so much wrong,--who has worked such bitter wrong to me,--and who this very night, while brooding schemes for your ruin, entered my chamber, and found you in my arms, and heard the solemn pledge which we exchanged." "Well, Frank," he interrupted, gazing anxiously into her face. "He confesses that our,--our _marriage_, will more than exceed his wildest hope. That the very thought of it, makes him feel bitter remorse for the past, and levels every evil thought, as regards the future. But--" She paused and took his hands in hers, and bent her face nearer to him, until her burning gaze, riveted every power of his soul. "But he is afraid that you will hereafter regret your pledge of marriage." "Frank!" "That you, as the possessor of incredible wealth, will look back with wonder, with contempt upon the hour, when you plighted your faith to one like me!" "One like you! Frank, Frank, do you think thus?" "That once secure in your possessions, you will regard as worse than idle words, a promise made to the daughter of your enemy,--to a woman, whose life has been--spare me--" She buried her head upon his breast; he drew her to him and felt the beating of her heart.