He was evidently no stranger to Serena and her boy, the latter of whom speedily claimed a seat upon his knee.
Through Ronald, Miriam and Charlton had heard much of each other, and the captain had long felt a strong desire to meet the sister of whom his young friend always spoke with great brotherly pride and affection. He had expected to be disappointed in her, but he was not; he found something in her appearance, her manner, her conversation, that was irresistibly charming.
CHAPTER III.
The Jaspers made only a short call, but when they had gone the captain still lingered, caressing little Olive, whom he had coaxed to the seat upon his knee vacated by Perry Golding, talking gayly with Ronald about some of the lighter experiences of their army life—for they had been companions in arms—yet furtively watching Miriam and frequently addressing a remark to her.
“That will be a match, you may depend upon it, Alonzo,” Serena said to her husband, with a wise nod of her pretty head as they drove homeward.
“What will be a match, my dear?” he asked, giving her a roguish look and smile.
“Now, you needn’t pretend that you don’t understand me,” she said; “you know very well what I mean. Captain Charlton is smitten with that handsome Miss Heath, and I saw in a minute that they were made for each other.”
At that moment a horseman came dashing up at a gallop, bowing and lifting his hat as he passed.
“Colonel Bangs,” murmured Serena. “Alonzo, I perfectly detest that man.”