flushed brow.

"Possibly not, my excellent young friend," said the colonel,
ironically; then, rising from his chair and elevating his voice, he
cried, "but I, sir, understand you and your mother and your pretty
scheme perfectly! Very ingenious invention, these 'last verbal
instructions.' Very pretty plan to entrap an heiress; but it shall
not avail you, adventurers that you are! This afternoon Sauter, the
confidential attorney of my late brother-in-law, will be here with
the will, which shall be read in the presence of the assembled
household. If these last verbal directions are also to be found
duplicated in the will, very good, they shall be obeyed; if they
not, shall be discredited."

During this speech Traverse stood with kindling eyes and blazing
cheeks, scarcely able to master his indignation; yet, to his credit
be it spoken, he did "rule his own spirit" and replied with dignity
and calmness:

"Colonel Le Noir, my testimony in regard to the last wishes of
Doctor Day can, if necessary, be supported by other evidence--though
I do not believe that any man who did not himself act in habitual
disregard of truth would wantonly question the veracity of another."

"Sir! this to me!" exclaimed Le Noir, growing white with rage and
making a step toward the young man.

"Yes, Colonel Le Noir, that to you! And this in addition; You have
presumed to charge my mother, in connection with myself, with being
an adventuress; with forming dishonorable 'schemes,' and in so