Elsie's beauty had not faded, she was still young and fair in appearance, with the same sweetly pure and innocent expression which old Mrs. Dinsmore had been wont to stigmatize as "that babyish look." And Violet's face was peerless in its fresh young beauty.
As for the captain himself, he was a man of commanding presence, noble countenance, and magnificent physique, with fine dark eyes and an abundance of dark brown curling hair and beard; evidently Donald's senior by some years, yet not looking much, if at all, over thirty.
The two older ladies presently left the room to reappear shortly in dinner dress.
While they were gone Mr. Dinsmore engaged the captain in conversation, and Donald and Violet talked together in a low aside.
"Your sister is well, I hope?" he remarked interrogatively.
"Elsie? We had letters from her and Edward this morning. They were well at the time of writing."
"They are not at home then?" he said in a tone of surprise and disappointment.
"Oh, no! had you not heard?" and Violet's eyes filled. "It is very foolish, I'm afraid," she went on in half tremulous tones, in answer to his inquiring look, "but I can't help feeling that Lester Leland has robbed me of my sister."
"She is married? and has gone to a home of her own?"
Violet answered by telling the story as succinctly as possible.