"How our young folks are pairing off!" remarked Mrs. Leland, with a slight sigh.
"Ah, yes," said Violet, "but fortunately they don't pair off with strangers and leave us. That makes it much easier to bear, doesn't it, my dear?"
"Yes; except for the mixture of relationships," returned the captain a trifle ruefully.
"Is the thing to be kept a secret?" queried Mrs. Leland.
"I am entirely willing it should be known in the connection," said Captain Raymond.
CHAPTER XIII.
It was growing late, and Evelyn's guests, accustomed to keeping early hours while at Crag Cottage, had nearly all retired to their rooms for the night. But Chester Dinsmore and Lucilla Raymond were just returning from a stroll down the river bank, and as they neared the house they could see the captain pacing the front porch.
"There is papa now," said Lucilla. "I am afraid he will think I have been out rather late."