"He—says—he'll—claim—Archie—as—his—son!" she gasped. "I'd like to see any man living dare to—"
"But he can TRY, Lucy—no one can prevent that, and in the trying the world will know."
Lucy sprang from her seat and stood over her sister:
"I'll deny it!" she cried in a shrill voice; "and face him down. He can't prove it! No one about here can!"
"He may have proofs that you couldn't deny, and that I would not if I could. Captain Holt knows everything, remember," Jane replied in her same calm voice.
"But nobody else does but you and Martha!" The thought gave her renewed hope—the only ray she saw.
"True; but the captain is enough. His heart is set on Archie's name being cleared, and nothing that I can do or say will turn him from his purpose. Do you know what he means to do?"
"No," she replied faintly, more terror than curiosity in her voice.
"He means that you shall marry Barton, and that Archie shall be baptized as Archibald Holt. Barton will then take you both back to South America. A totally impossible plan, but—"
"I marry Barton Holt! Why, I wouldn't marry him if he got down on his knees. Why, I don't even remember what he looks like! Did you ever hear of such impudence! What is he to me?" The outburst carried with it a certain relief.