Olive’s hand had been withdrawn, but it was very cheering to her to know that some one was proud of her.

The captain poured out his delight at seeing the young professor—­the first near friend he had seen since his adventure, and, in his opinion, the best.  Olive said but little, but her countenance brightened wonderfully.  She had always liked Mr. Lancaster, and now he showed his good sense and good feeling; for, while it was evidently on his mind, he made no allusion to anything they had done, or that had happened to them.  He talked chiefly of himself.

But the captain was not to be repressed, and his tone warmed up a little as he asked if Dick had been reading the newspapers.

At this Olive left the room to make some arrangements for Mr. Lancaster’s accommodation.

Seizing this opportunity, Dick Lancaster stopped the captain, who he saw was preparing to go lengthily into the recent affair.  “Yes, yes,” he said, speaking quickly, “and my blood has run hot as I read those beastly papers.  But let me say something to you while I can.  I am deeply interested in something else just now.  I came here, captain, to propose marriage to your niece.  Have I your consent?”

“Consent!” cried the captain.  “Why, it is the clearest wish of my heart that you should marry Olive!” And seizing the young man by both arms, he shook him from head to foot.  “Consent!” he exclaimed.  “I should think so, I should think so!  Will she take you, Dick?  Is that—­”

“I don’t know,” said Lancaster, “I don’t know.  I am here to find out.  But I hear her coming.”

The happy captain thought it full time to go away somewhere.  He felt that he could not control his glowing countenance, and that he might say or do something which might be wrong.  So he departed with great alacrity, and left the two young people to themselves.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Miss Port puts in an Appearance.

The captain clapped on his hat, and walked up the road toward Glenford.  He was very much excited and he wanted to sing, but his singing days were over, and he quieted himself somewhat by walking rapidly.  There was a buggy coming from town, but it stopped before it reached him and some one in it got out, while the vehicle proceeded slowly onward.  The some one waited until the captain came up to her.  It was Miss Maria Port.

“How do you do?” she said, holding out her hand.  “I was on my way to see you.”

The captain put both his hands in his pockets, and his face grew somewhat dark.  “Why do you want to see me?” he asked.

She looked at him steadily for a moment, and then answered, speaking very quietly.  “I found that Mr. Lancaster had arrived in town, and had gone to your house, and that he was in such a hurry that he walked.  So I immediately hired a buggy to come out here.  I am very glad I met you.”

“But what in the name of common sense,” exclaimed the captain, “did you come to see me for?  What difference does it make to you whether Mr. Lancaster is here or not?  What have you got to do with me and my affairs, anyway?”