There was something so frank and persuasive about the elegant stranger,

that Joris could not refuse the courtesy she asked for herself and her

nephew. And, having yielded, he yielded with entire truth and

confidence. He gave his hand to his visitors, and made them heartily

welcome to join in his household rejoicing. True, Mrs. Gordon's

persuasive words were ably seconded by causes which she had probably

calculated. The elder and Madam Semple were present, and it would have

been impossible for Joris to treat their friends rudely. Bram was also

another conciliating element, for Captain Hyde was on pleasant speaking

terms with him; and, as yet, even Neil's relations were at least those

of presumed friendship. Also, the Van Gaasbeeks and others present were

well inclined to make the acquaintance of a woman so agreeable, and an

officer so exceptionally handsome and genteel. Besides which, Joris was

himself in a happy and genial mood; he had opened his house and his

heart to his friends; and he did not feel at that hour as if he could

doubt any human being, or close his door against even the stranger and

the alien who wished to rejoice with him.

Elder Semple was greatly pleased at his friend's complaisance. He gave

Joris full credit for his victory over his national prejudices, and he

did his very best to make the concession a pleasant event. In this

effort, he was greatly assisted by Mrs. Gordon; she set herself to

charm Van Heemskirk, as she had set herself to charm Madam Van Heemskirk

on her previous visit; and she succeeded so well, that, when "Sir Roger

de Coverley" was called, Joris rose, offered her his hand, and, to the

delight of every one present, led the dance with her.

It was a little triumph for the elder; and he sat smiling, and twirling

his fingers, and thoroughly enjoying the event. Indeed, he was so

interested in listening to the clever way in which "the bonnie woman

flattered Van Heemskirk," that he was quite oblivious of the gathering

wrath in his son's face, and the watchful gloom in Bram's eyes, as the

two men stood together, jealously observant of Captain Hyde's attentions

to Katherine. Without any words spoken on the subject, there was an

understood compact between them to guard the girl from any private

conversation with him; and yet two men with hearts full of suspicion and

jealousy were not a match for one man with a heart full of love. In a

moment, in the interchange of their hands in a dance, Katherine clasped

tightly a little note, and unobserved hid it behind the rose at her

breast.




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