“I beg you will not consider me selfish or unfeeling in this matter,” said Mr. Huntress, earnestly, but greatly relieved by this decision. “I sympathize deeply with Mrs. Mapleson, but I feel that she could not suffer a tithe of what my wife and daughter would endure to have their relations disturbed, not to mention my own feelings in the matter.”
“I understand,” his host responded, heartily, “and I know it is but right and just that the one should yield in order that the many may be happy, and I believe that my wife will see it in the same light when she comes to consider it. But,” turning again to Geoffrey, “when is this wedding to occur?”
The young man colored and glanced at Mr. Huntress, for he hardly knew what to say in reply to this.
“Well, I—the day is not set yet. I was anxious to have my relations with yourself settled, and—we——”
It was an unusual occurrence for Geoffrey Huntress to lose his self-possession under any circumstances; but just then he felt himself to be in a very painful position, for every moment he shrank more and more from revealing his half-brother’s wretched plot, and he was greatly relieved by a little stir in the hall at that moment, which attracted Colonel Mapleson’s attention from him.
The next instant the library door was flung open, and Everet, himself, pale and travel-stained, stood before the astonished group.
“Ha!” he cried, catching sight of Geoffrey. “So you have stolen a march on me! trying, I suppose, to browbeat the governor into confessing that romantic liaison of his youth.”
“Everet!” exclaimed his father, turning sternly upon him, an angry flush mounting to his brow, at this rude intrusion; “what do you mean by rushing in here like this, addressing my guests in such an abrupt way, not to mention your exceedingly disrespectful language regarding myself?”
“Your guests! Why don’t you present them to me, or are you a trifle delicate about introducing Annie Dale’s son to me?” retorted the young man, in a nervous, unnatural manner.
“Silence, sir!” thundered Colonel Mapleson, looking perfectly aghast at this strange behavior on the part of his usually courteous son. “What do you know of Annie Dale?” he continued; “and why do you speak of this young man in that sneering way?”