He dispatched this letter and waited an answer.
During the week that ensued before he could hope to hear from
Colonel Le Noir, he treated Clara with marked deference and respect.
And Clara, on her part, did not tax his forbearance by appearing in
his presence oftener than she could possibly avoid.
At the end of the week the expected letter came. It was short and to
the purpose. It ran thus;
Washington, Dec. 14, 18-
MY DEAR CRAVEN--You are losing time. Do not hope to win the
girl by the
means you propose. She is too acute to be deceived, and too
firm to be
persuaded. We must not hesitate to use the only possible means
by which we
can coerce her into compliance. I shall follow this letter by
the first
stage-coach, and before the beginning of the next month Clara
Day shall be
your wife. Your Affectionate Father,
GABRIEL LE NOIR,
C. LE NOIR, ESQ., Hidden
House.
When Craven Le Noir read this letter his thin, white face and deep-
set eyes lighted up with triumph. But Craven Le Noir huzzaed before
he was out of the woods. He had not calculated upon Capitola.
The next day Colonel Le Noir came to the Hidden House. He arrived
late in the afternoon.
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