But a crisis was fast approaching which rendered further concealment
difficult and dangerous, and which threw Clara for protection upon
the courage, presence of mind and address of Capitola.
Since Clara Day had parted with her betrothed and had taken up her
residence beneath her guardian's roof, she had regularly written
both to Traverse at St. Louis and to his mother at Staunton. But she
had received no reply from either mother or son. And months had
passed, filling the mind of Clara with anxiety upon their account.
She did not for one moment doubt their constancy. Alas! it required
but little perspicacity on her part to perceive that the letters on
either side must have been intercepted by the Le Noirs--father and
son.
Her greatest anxiety was lest Mrs. Rocke and Traverse, failing to
hear from her, should imagine that she had forgotten them. She
longed to assure them that she had not; but how should she do this?
It was perfectly useless to write and send the letter to the post-
office by any servant at the Hidden House, for such a letter was
sure to find its way--not into the mail bags, but into the pocket of
Colonel Le Noir.
Finally, Clara resolved to entrust honest Cap with so much of her
story as would engage her interest and co-operation, and then
confide to her care a letter to be placed in the post-office.
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