He rose and helped her off the slab, picked up the lantern, and held the gate open with the ceremonious courtesy which characterized him. She took his arm.

'One thing, though, Theo. Tell me exactly who is there and any pertinent details as to their recent life, that I may govern myself accordingly. It is ever well to know the enemy's weaknesses.'

On their way to the house she gave him the briefest sketch of each Alston. On the porch he nodded, satisfied.

'Do you go in and have your butler announce me properly. I shall wait here until he comes.'

The men had quitted the dining-table and were now with the ladies in the drawing-rooms, where they had deployed into several small stiff groups. Otherwise, everything was as Theo had left it. The banjos still twanged fitfully, though the black faces above them had a dogged, disheartened look. She saw with surprise that she had been but three quarters of an hour, and they accepted her murmur of apology without comment. She seated herself with Mrs. Young and William Algernon and held her breath.

Almost at once Cato appeared in the doorway, took two steps forward, and bowed to Joseph, who looked astounded. 'Maussa, I'se the nonor to 'nounce Mister the Vice-President,' he said, in ringing tones.

In came Aaron, erect and smiling, blandly unconscious of the gasp that greeted him.

Joseph did more than gasp. He shot to his feet and directed at Theo a furious glare.

Aaron made straight for him, however, and seized his hand. 'My dear Joseph,' he said heartily, 'I'm very glad to see you. I hope that my unexpected arrival is not embarrassing'. And here he made the smallest deprecating grimace that had in it so much of sly humor, and yet so much of careless charm, that Joseph responded to it despite his resentment.

'Your presence in my house could never be an embarrassment,' he said heavily, 'though I confess I am astounded. I had no idea you were within hundreds of miles.'

'No more was I until yesterday.—How do you do, Colonel Alston and Mrs. Alston'. He went over to Joseph's parents, who looked uncertain.

Mrs. Alston sent Maria a glance of supplication for guid ance, but Aaron did not allow her to wait for the answer. He riveted her with his eye, showing his beautiful teeth in a smile so compelling that the poor lady fluttered and at last timidly smiled back.

'How well you look, ma'am. I declare you look as young as your daughter, Charlotte'. Here he favored that young lady with a serious admiring glance that had in it just enough boldness to make it exciting. 'And I perceive that Miss Charlotte has grown into a most fascinating young lady since I saw her last. Egad, I never saw such eyelashes,' he finished in an audible aside to Colonel William.