"I find her in charge of my brother, in the absence of any letter from my father or other Confederate agent.

I humbly apologize for the rudeness of which I was guilty, though I assure you I have had abundant provocation for it." "That is a family affair with which we have nothing to do beyond the proper protection of the young agent in charge of the steamer." "I wish to say that I am entirely satisfied, Captain Passford, and I am heartily delighted to learn that you are about to make your residence in this section of the country," said the major, who seemed to have assured himself on this point without much assistance from those most deeply concerned.
The owner looked at him, and tried to ascertain what was passing in his mind; and it was not a very difficult enterprise to accomplish his purpose.

The hint he had received about the frequent visits of Major Pierson at Glenfield seemed to explain the present operations of his mind.

Florry Passford was a beautiful young lady of eighteen, and any young man of twenty-six could easily have been excused for making his visits very often at the mansion in which she resided.
Though the fond father was not disposed to interfere unnecessarily with the choice of his daughter, even the hint that she might be entangled more than a thousand miles from her home had given him a positive shock.
Now that he had seen the young man, and observed his conduct on board of the Bellevite, he most earnestly hoped that she was not in any degree committed to him.

He had an additional inducement to get her away from the home of his brother, and the thought of it nerved him to increased exertion.