Chapters 16-20 Summary

Rich Col. Crayton sails on the same ship. Having a weakness for French women, he he becomes enchanted with La Rue, who has seen through the cheating Belcour. Easily duped, Crayton resolves to help her, and before the voyage is over proposes marriage. Charlotte spends her time seasick, tended by John, and hoping to hear from her parents. Knowing that John will not marry her, Belcour determines to move in on her. While Belcour is relieved when Crayton announces the engagement, Charlotte is shocked that La Rue could change her mind so easily, and when John laughs at her naiveté, she bursts into tears, realizing that this is to be her fate.

Landing in New York, Crayton makes introductions to his Parisian-born daughter, wife of Maj. Beauchamp. La Rue is his fiancée, a friend of his late wife; Charlotte is...