The girl had risen to her feet and stood facing him.

This time, as her eyes met his own, he saw in them a flashing warning, and he obeyed it as if she had spoken to him.

As he dropped silently back to the ground the councilor came close to his side.
"That's enough for to-night, Nat," he whispered.
He made as if to slip away but Nathaniel detained him with an emphatic hand.
"Not yet, Dad! I'd like to have a word with--this--" "With Strang's wife," chuckled Obadiah.

"Ho, ho, ho, Nat, you're a rascal!" The old man's face was mapped with wrinkles, his eyes glowed with joyous approbation.

"You shall, Nat, you shall! You love a pretty face, eh?
You shall meet Mrs.Strang, Nat, and you shall make love to her if you wish.