CHAPTER II.

AN EXCHANGE OF CONFIDENCES.





"And so you know nothing of this gentleman beyond what he has told
you of his character and antecedents?"

Aunt Rachel had knocked at the door of her nephew's study after
dinner, on the day of his return, and asked for an interview.

"Although I know you must be very busy with your accounts, and so
forth, having been away from the plantation for so long," she said,
deprecatingly, yet accepting the invitation to enter.

Mr. Aylett's eye left hers as he replied that he was quite at
liberty to listen to whatever she had to say, but his manner was
entirely his own--polished and cool.

Family tradition had it that he was naturally a man of strong
passions and violent temper, but since his college days, he had
never, as far as living mortal could testify, lifted the impassive