CHAPTER X.
THE ELOPEMENT.
ON the evening of the first of April, Mrs.Bowmore was left alone with the servants.

Mr.Bowmore and Percy had gone out together to attend a special meeting of the Club.

Shortly afterward Miss Charlotte had left the cottage, under very extraordinary circumstances.
A few minutes only after the departure of her father and Percy, she received a letter, which appeared to cause her the most violent agitation.

She said to Mrs.Bowmore: "Mamma, I must see Captain Bervie for a few minutes in private, on a matter of serious importance to all of us.

He is waiting at the front gate, and he will come in if I show myself at the hall door." Upon this, Mrs.Bowmore had asked for an explanation.
"There is no time for explanation," was the only answer she received; "I ask you to leave me for five minutes alone with the Captain." Mrs.Bowmore still hesitated.