[Illustration: "I give you back the wedding ring. "--_Page 400. _] THE BONDWOMAN BY MARAH ELLIS RYAN, AUTHOR OF "Told in the Hills, " "A Pagan of the Alleghanies, " etc. CHICAGO AND NEW YORK: RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. MDCCCXCIX. Copyright, 1899, by Rand, McNally & Co. All rights reserved. Entered at Stationers' Hall, London. THE BONDWOMAN CHAPTER I. Near Moret, in France, where the Seine is formed and flows northward, there lives an old lady named Madame Blanc, who can tell much of thehistory written here--though it be a history belonging more toAmerican lives than French. She was of the Caron establishment whenJudithe first came into the family, and has charge of a home for agedladies of education and refinement whose means will not allow of themproviding for themselves. It is a memorial founded by her adopteddaughter and is known as the Levigne Pension. The property on which itis established is the little Levigne estate--the one forming the onlydowery of Judithe Levigne when she married Philip Alain--Marquis deCaron. There is also a bright-eyed, still handsome woman of mature years, who lives in our South and has charge of another memorial--or haduntil recently--a private industrial school for girls of her ownselection. She calls herself a creole of San Domingo, and she alsocalls herself Madame Trouvelot--she has been married twice sinceshe was first known by that name, for she was never the woman to livealone--not she; but while the men in themselves suited her, theirnames were uncompromisingly plain--did not attract her at all. Shemarried them, proved a very good wife, but while one was namedJohnson, and another Tuttle, the good wife persisted in beingcalled Madame Trouvelot, either through sentiment or a bit of ironytowards the owner of that name. But, despite her vanities, hercoquetries, and certain erratic phases of her life, she wasabsolutely faithful to the trust reposed in her by the Marquise; andwho so capable as herself of finding the poor girls who stood mostin need of training and the shelter of charity? She, also, couldadd to this history of the woman belonging both to the old worldand the new. There are also official records in evidence of muchthat is told here--deeds of land, bills of sale, with dates ofmarriages and deaths interwoven, changed as to names and places but-- There are social friends--gay, pleasure-loving people on both sides ofthe water--who could speak, and some men who will never forget her. One of them, Kenneth McVeigh, he was only Lieutenant McVeighthen!--saw her first in Paris--heard of her first at a musicale in thesalon of Madame Choudey. Madame Choudey was the dear friend of theCountess Helene Biron, who still lives and delights in recitals ofgossip belonging to the days of the Second Empire. The Countess Heleneand Mrs. McVeigh had been school friends in Paris. Mrs. McVeigh hadbeen Claire Villanenne, of New Orleans, in those days. At seventeenshe had married a Col. McVeigh, of Carolina. At forty she had been awidow ten years. Was the mother of a daughter aged twelve, and asix-foot son of twenty-two, who looked twenty-five, and had justgraduated from West Point. As he became of special interest to more than one person in thisstory, it will be in place to give an idea of him as he appeared inthose early days;--an impetuous boy held in check, somewhat, bymilitary discipline and his height--he measured six feet attwenty--and also by the fact that his mother had persisted in lookingon him as the head of the family at an age when most boys arecare-free of such responsibilities. But the responsibilities had a very good effect in many ways--givingstability and seriousness to a nature prone, most of all, topleasure-loving if left untrammelled. His blue eyes had a slumberouswarmth in them; when he smiled they half closed and looked down on youcaressingly, and their expression proved no bar to favor with theopposite sex. The fact that he had a little mother who leaned on himand whom he petted extravagantly, just as he did his sister, gave hima manner towards women in general that was both protecting anddeferential--a combination productive of very decided results. He wasintelligent without being intellectual, had a very clear appreciationof the advantages of being born a McVeigh, proud and jealous wherefamily honor was concerned, a bit of an autocrat through being masterover extensive tracts of land and slaves by the dozen, many of themthe descendents of Africans bought into the family from New Englandtraders four generations before. Such was the personality of the young American as he appeared that dayat Madame Choudey's; and he looked like one of the pictured Norse seakings as he towered, sallow and bronzed, back of the vivaciousFrenchmen and their neighbors of the Latin races. _The_ solo of the musicale had just ended. People were thronged aboutthe artiste, and others were congratulating Madame Choudey on herabsolute success in assembling talent. "All celebrities, my lad, " remarked Fitzgerald Delaven as he lookedaround. The Delavens and the McVeighs had in time long past somefar-out relationship, and on the strength of it the two young men, meeting thus in a foreign country, became at once friends andbrothers;--"all celebrities and no one so insignificant as ourselvesin sight. Well, now!--when one has to do the gallant to an ugly womanit is a compensation to know she is wondrous wise. " "That depends on the man who is doing the gallant, " returned the youngofficer, "I have not yet got beyond the point where I expect them allto be pretty. " "Faith, Lieutenant, that is because your American girls are all sopretty they spoil you!--and by the same token your mother is thehandsomest woman in the room. " The tall young fellow glanced across the chattering groups to wherethe handsomest woman was amusing herself. She certainly was handsome--a blonde with chestnut hair and greyeyes--a very youthful looking mother for the young officer to claim. She met his glance and smiled as he noticed her very courtier-likeattendant of the moment, and raised his brows quizzically. "Yes, I feel that I am only a hanger-on to mother since we reachedFrance, " he confessed. "My French is of the sort to be exploited onlyamong my intimates, and luckily all my intimates know English. " "Anglo-Saxon, " corrected Delaven, and Lieutenant McVeigh dropped hishand on his friend's shoulder and laughed. "You wild Irishman!--why not emphasize your prejudices by unearthingthe Celtic and expressing yourself in that?" "Sure, if I did I should not call it the Irish language, " retorted theman from Dublin. They both used the contested tongue, and were evidently the only onesin the room who did. All about them were the softened syllables ofFrance--so provocative, according to Lord Lytton, of the tendersentiments, if not of the tender passion. "There is Dumaresque, now, " remarked Delaven. "We are to see his newpicture, you know, at the Marquise de Caron's;--excuse me a moment, "and he crossed over to the artist, who had just entered. Kenneth McVeigh stood alone surveying the strange faces about. He hadnot been in France long enough to be impervious to the atmosphere ofnovelty in everything seen and heard. Back of him the soft voice of Madame Choudey, the hostess, could beheard. She was frankly gossiping and laughing a little. The name ofthe Marquise de Caron was mentioned. Delaven had told him of her--anaristocrat and an eccentric--a philanthropist who was now aged. Foryears herself and her son had been the patrons--the good angels ofstruggling genius, of art in every form. But the infamous 2d ofDecember had ended all that. He was one of the "provisionally exiled;"he had died in Rome. Madame La Marquise, the dowager Marquise now, wasreceiving again, said the gossips back of him. The fact was commentedon with wonder by Madame Choudey;--with wonder, frank queries, andwild surmises, by the little group around her; for the aged Marquiseand her son Alain--dead a year since--had been picturesque figures intheir own circle where politics and art, literature and religion, metand crossed swords, or played piquet! And now she was coming back, notonly to Paris, but to society; had in fact, arrived, and the cardMadame Choudey held in her white dimpled hand announced the firstreception at the Caron establishment. "After years of the country and Rome!" and Sidonie Merson raised herinfantile brows and smiled. "Oh, yes, it is quite true--though so strange; we fancied her settledfor life in her old vine-covered villa; no one expected to see theParis house opened after Alain's death. " "It is always the unexpected in which the old Marquise delights, " saidbig Lavergne, the sculptor, who had joined Sidonie in the window. "Then how she must have reveled in Alain's marriage--a death-bedmarriage!" "Yes; and to an Italian girl without a dot. " "Oh--it is quite possible. The marriage was in Rome. Both the Englishand Americans go to Rome. " "Italian! I heard it was an English or American!" "Surely, not so bad as that!" "But only those who have money;--or, if they have not the money, oursons and our brothers do not marry them. " "Good!" and Lavergne nodded with mock sagacity. "We reach conclusions;the newly made Marquise de Caron is either not Anglo-Saxon or was notwithout wealth. " "I heard from Dumaresque that she had attended English schools; thatno doubt gives her the English suggestion. " "Oh, I know more than that;" said another, eager to add to theknowledge of the group. "Between Fontainbleau and Moret is the Levignechateau. Two years ago the dowager was there with a young beauty, Judithe Levigne, and that is the girl Alain married; the dowager wasalso a Levigne, and the girl an adopted daughter. " "What is she like now? Has no one seen her?" "No one more worldly than her confessor--if she possess one, or thenuns of the convent to which she returned to study after her marriageand widowhood. " "Heavens! We must compose our features when we enter the presence!" "But we will go, for all that! The dowager is too delightful tomiss. " "A religieuse and a blue stocking!" and the smile of Lavergne wasaccompanied by a doubtful shrug. "I might devote myself to either, ifapart, but never to both in one. Is she then ugly that she dare be sosuperior?" "Greek and Latin did not lessen the charm of Heloise for Abelard, Monsieur. " Sidonie glanced consciously out of the window. Even the dust of sixcenturies refuses to cover the passion of Heloise, and despite theecclesiastical flavor of the romance--demoiselles were not supposed tobe aware--still--! Lavergne beckoned to a fair slight man near the piano. "We will ask Loris--Loris Dumaresque. He is god-son of the dowager. Hewas in Rome also. He will know. " "Certainly;" and Madame Choudey glanced in the mirror opposite andleaned her cheek on her jeweled hand, the lace fell from her prettywrist and the effect was rather pleasing. "Loris; ah, pardon me, sinceyour last canvas is the talk of Paris we must perhaps say MonsieurDumaresque, or else--Master. " "The queen calls no man master, " replied the newcomer as he bent overthe pretty coquette's hand. "The humblest of your subjects salutesyou. " "My faith! You have not lost in Rome a single charm of the boulevardes. We feared you would come back a devotee, and addicted to rosaries. " "I only needed them when departing from Paris--and you. " His eyesalone expressed the final words, but they spoke so eloquently that thewoman of the world smiled; attempted to blush, and dropping her owneyes, failed to see the amusement in his. "Your gallantry argues no lack of practice, Monsieur Loris, " shereturned; glancing at him over her fan. "Who was she, during thosemonths of absence? Come; confess; was she some worldly soul like theKora of your latest picture, or was it the religieuse--the newmarquise about whom every one is curious?" "The Marquise? What particular Marquise?" "One more particular than you were wont to cultivate our first seasonin Rome, " remarked Lavergne. "Oh! oh! Monsieur Dumaresque!" and the fan became a shield from whichMadame peered at him. Sidonie almost smiled, but recovered herself, and gave attention to the primroses. "You see!--Madame Choudey is shocked that you have turned tosaintliness. " "Madame knows me too well to suppose I have ever turned away fromit, " retorted Dumaresque. "Do not credit the gossip of Lavergne. Hehas worked so long among clays and marbles that he has grown acold-blooded cynic. He distrusts all warmth and color in life. " "Then why not introduce him to the Marquise? He might find his idealthere--the atmosphere of the sanctuary! I mean the new Marquise deCaron. " "Oh!" Dumaresque looked from one to the other blankly and thenlaughed. "It is Madame Alain--the Marquise de Caron you call thedevotee? My faith--that is droll!" "What, then, is so droll?" "Why should you laugh, Monsieur Loris? What else were we to think of abride who chooses a convent in preference to society?" "It was decided she must be very ugly or very devout to make thatchoice. " "A natural conclusion from your point of view, " agreed Dumaresque. "Will you be shocked when I tell you she is no less a radical thanAlain himself?--that her favorite prophet is Voltaire, and that herbooks of devotion are not known in the church?" "Horror!--an infidel!--and only a girl of twenty!" gasped the demureSidonie. "Chut!--she may be a veteran of double that. Alain always had a fancyfor the grenadiers--the originals. But of course, " he added moodily, "we must go. " "Take cheer, " laughed Dumaresque, "for I shall be there; and I promiseyou safe conduct through the gates when the grenadier feminine growstoo oppressive. " "Do you observe, " queried Madame, slyly, "that while Monsieur Lorisdoes speak of her religion, he avoids enlightening us as to herpersonality?" "What then do you expect?" returned Dumaresque. "She is the widow ofmy friend; the child, now, of my dear old god-mother. Should I findfaults in her you would say I am jealous. Should I proclaim hervirtues you would decide I am prejudiced by friendship, and so"--witha smile that was conciliating and a gesture comprehensive he dismissedthe subject. "Clever Dumaresque!" laughed Lavergne--"well, we shall see! Is it truethat your picture of the Kora is to be seen at the dowager'stomorrow?" "Quite true. It is sold, you know; but since the dowager is not equalto art galleries I have given it a rest in her rooms before boxing itfor the new owner. " "I envy him, " murmured Madame; "the picture is the pretty octoroonglorified. So, Madame, your god-mother has two novelties to presenttomorrow. Usually it is so difficult to find even one. " When Delaven returned he found Lieutenant McVeigh still in the samenook by the mantel and still alone. "Well, you are making a lonesome time of it in the middle of thecrowd, " he remarked. "How have you been amused?" "By listening to comments on two pictures, one of a colored beauty, and one of an atheistical grand dame. " "And of the two?" "Of the two I should fancy the last not the least offensive. And, lookhere, Delaven, just get me out of that engagement to look atDumaresque's new picture, won't you? It really is not worth while foran American to come abroad for the study of pictured octoroons--wehave too many of the originals at home. " CHAPTER II. Whatever the dowager's eccentricities or heresies, she was not afraidof the sunlight, figuratively or literally. From floor to ceilingthree great windows let in softened rays on the paneled walls, on thefluted columns of white and gold, and on the famous frescoes of theFirst Empire. She had no feeling for petite apartments such as appealto many women; there must, for her, be height and space and longvistas. "I like perspective to every picture, " she said. "I enjoy thegroupings of my friends in my own rooms more than elsewhere. From mycouch I have the best point of view, and the raised dais flatters mewith its suggestion of a throne of state. " She looked so tiny for a chair of state; and with her usual quainthumor she recognized the fact. "But my temperament brings me an affinity with things that are greatfor all that, " she would affirm. "One does not need to be a physicalColossus in order to see the stars. " The morning after her first reception she was smiling rathersardonically at a picture at the far end of the great salon--that of avery handsome young woman who laughed frankly at the man who leanedtowards her and spoke. The man was Dumaresque. "No use in that, Loris, " commented his god-mother, out of hishearing. "It will do an artist no harm, but it will end nowhere. " Their attitude and their youth did make them appear sentimental; butthey were not really so. He was only telling her what a shock she hadbeen to those Parisians the day before. "I understand, now, the regard of Madame Choudey and her pretty, primniece, Sidonie. They will never forgive me. " "You, Madame!" "Me, Monsieur. Their fondness will preclude resentment towards you, but against myself they will feel a grievance that I am not as theypictured me. Come; you must tell Maman. " The dowager nodded as one who understood it all. "They will not forget you, that is sure, " she said, smiling; but thegirl--for she was only a girl, despite the Madame--shrugged hershoulders. "Myself, I care little for their remembrance, " she replied, indifferently; "they were only curious, not interested, I could see. " "You put my picture in the shadow at all events, " protestedDumaresque, pointing to a large canvas hung opposite; "my picture overwhich art lovers raved until you appeared as a rival. " "How extravagant you are, Monsieur Dumaresque, a true Gascon! To thinkof rivaling that!" As she faced the canvas the dowager watched her critically, and noddedher approval to Dumaresque, who smiled and acquiesced. Evidently theywere both well satisfied with the living picture of the salon. The new Marquise de Caron had lived, probably, twenty years. She wasof medium height, with straight, dark brows, and dark, long-lashedeyes. The eyes had none of the shyness that was deemed a necessity tobeauty in that era of balloon skirts and scuttle bonnets under whichbeauty of the conventional order hid. But that she was not conventional was shown by the turban of greyresting on her waved, dark hair, while the veil falling from it andmingling with the folds of her dress, suggested the very artisticdraperies of the nuns. Not a particle of color was in her apparel, and but little in herface; only the lips had that thread of scarlet sung of by Solomon, andthe corners of them curved upwards a trifle as she surveyed thecanvas. The turban was loosened and held in her hands as she stood therelooking. The picture evidently attracted her, though it did notplease. At last she turned to the artist. "Why do you paint pictures like that?" "Like that? Pouf! You mean beautiful?" "No, it is not beautiful, " she said, thoughtfully, as she seatedherself on the dais by the dowager's couch. "To be truly beautiful athing must impress one with a sense of fitness to our highestperceptive faculties. A soulless thing is never beautiful. " "What then, of dogs, horses, lions, the many art works in metal or oncanvas?" "You must not raise that wall against her words, Loris, unless youwish to quarrel, " said the dowager in friendly warning. "Judithe ispantheist enough to fancy that animals have souls. " "But the true artist does not seek to portray the lowest expression ofthat soul, " persisted Dumaresque's critic. "Across the Atlantic thereare thousands who contend that a woman such as this Kora whom youpaint, has no soul because of the black blood in her veins. They thinkof the dark people as we think of apes. It is all a question oflongitude, Monsieur Dumaresque. The crudeness of America is the jestof France. The wisdom of France is the lightest folly of the Brahims;and so it goes ever around the world. The soul of that girl will weighas heavily as ours in the judgment that is final; but, in themeantime, why teach it and others to admire all that allurement ofevil showing in her eyes as she looks at you?" "Judithe!" protested the dowager. "Oh!--I do not doubt in the least, Maman, that the woman Kora lookedjust so when she sat for the picture, " conceded the girl; "but why notendeavor to awaken a higher, stronger expression, and paint _that_, showing the better possibilities within her than mere seductiveness?" "What fervor and what folly, Marquise!" cried Dumaresque. "It is aspeech of folly only because it is I whom you ask to be themissionary, and because it is the pretty Kora you would ask me toconvert--and to what? Am I so perfect in all ways that I dare preach, even with paint and brush? Heavens! I should have all Paris laughingat me. " "But Judithe would not have you that sort of extremist, " said thedowager, laughing at the dismay in his face. "She knows you do well;only she fears you do not exert yourself enough to perceive how youmight do better. " "She forgets; I did once; only a few weeks ago, " he said briefly; andthe girl dropped her hands wearily and leaned her head against thedowager's couch. "Maman, our good friend is going to talk matrimony again, " she saidplaintively; "and if he does, I warn you, though it is only mid-day, Ishall go asleep;" and her eyes closed tightly as though to make thethreat more effective. "You see, " said the old lady, raising one chiding finger, "it isreally lamentable, Loris, that your sentimental tendencies have growninto a steady habit. " "I agree, " he assented; "but consider. She assails me--she, a saintlylittle judge in grey! She lectures, preaches at me! Tells me I lackvirtue! But more is the pity for me; she will not remember that onevirtue was most attractive to me, and she bade me abandon it. " "Tell him, " said the girl with her eyes still closed, "to not miscallthings; no one is all virtue. " "Pardon; that is what you seemed to me, and I never before fanciedthat the admirable virtues would find me so responsive, when, pouf!with one word you demolished all my castle of delight and now condemnme that I am an outlaw from those elevating fancies. " He spoke with such a comical air of self-pity that the old ladylaughed and the young Marquise opened her eyes. "A truce, Monsieur Loris; you are amusing, but you like to pose as oneof the rejected and disconsolate when you have women to listen. It isall because you are just a little theatrical, is it not? How effectiveit must be with your Parisiennes!" "My faith!" he exclaimed, turning to the dowager in dismay; "and onlythree months since she emerged from the convent! What then do they notteach in those sanctuaries!" The girl arose, made him a mocking obeisance, and swinging the turbanin her hand passed into the alcoved music room; a little later anItalian air, soft, dreamy, drifted to them from the keys of thepiano. "She will make a sensation, " prophesied Dumaresque, sagely. "You mean socially? No; if left to herself she would ignore society;it is not necessary to her; only her affection for me brings her fromher studies now. Should I die tomorrow she would go back to them nextweek. " "But why, why, why? If she were unattractive one could understand; butbeing what she is--" "Being what she is, she has a fever to know all the facts of earth andall the guesses at heaven. " "And bars out marriage!" "Not for other people, " retorted the dowager. "But to what use then all these accomplishments, all this pursuit ofknowledge? Does she mean to hide it all in some convent at last?" "I would look for her rather among some savage tribes, doingmissionary work. " "Yes, making them acquainted with Voltaire, " he said, laughingly. "Butyou are to be envied, god-mother, in having her all to yourself; sheadores you!" The dark old face flushed slightly, and the keen eyes softened withpleasure. "It was Alain's choice, and it was a good one, " she said, briefly. "What of the English people you asked to bring today?" "They are not English; one is American and one is Irish. " "True; but their Anglo-Saxon makes them all English to me. I hearthere are so many of them in Paris now; Comtesse Biron brings onetoday; there is her message, what is the name?" Dumaresque unfolded the pink sheet, glanced at it and smiled. "My faith; it is the mother of the young lieutenant whom I asked tobring, Madame McVeigh. So, she was a school friend of the ComtesseHelene, eh? That seems strange; still, this Madame McVeigh may be aFrench woman transplanted. " "I do not know; but it will be a comfort if she speaks French. Theforeigners of only one language are trying. " * * * * * Mrs. McVeigh offered no linguistic difficulties to the dowager who wascharmed with her friend's friend. "But you are surely not the English-Americans of whom we see so muchthese days? I cannot think it. " "No, Madame. I am of the French-Americans--the creoles--hence thespeech you are pleased to approve. My people were the Villanennes ofLouisiana. " "Ah! a creole? The creoles come here from the West Indies also--beautifulwomen. My daughter has had some as school friends; only this morning shewas explaining to an English caller the difference between a creole andthat personality;" and the dowager waived her hand towards the muchdiscussed picture of Kora. The fine face of the American woman took on a trace of haughtiness, and she glanced at the speaker as though alert to some covert insult. The unconsciousness in the old face reassured her, though she couldnot quite banish coldness from her tones as she replied: "I should not think such an explanation necessary in enlightenedcircles; the creole is so well known as the American born of the Latinraces, while that, " with a gesture towards the oriental face on thecanvas, "is the offspring of the African race--our slaves. " "With occasionally a Caucasian father, " suggested the dowagerwickedly. "I have never seen this new idol of the ballet--Kora; buther prettiness is the talk of the studios, though she does not denyshe came from your side of the sea, and has the shadows of Africa inher hair. " "A quadroon or octoroon, no doubt. It appears strange to find theoutcasts of the States elected to that sort of notice over here--asthough the old world, tired of civilization and culture, turned fordistraction to the barbarians. " "Barbarians, indeed!" laughed the Countess Biron--the Countess Helene, as she was called by her friends. She laughed a great deal, knew agreat deal, and never forgot a morsel of Parisian gossip. "Thisbarbarian has only to show herself on the boulevards and all goodcitizens crane their necks for a glimpse of her. The empress herselfattracts less attention. " The dowager clicked the lid of her snuff box and shrugged hershoulders. "That Spanish woman--tah! As _Mademoiselle d'Industrie_ I do not seewhy she should claim precedence. The blonde Spaniard is no morebeautiful than the brown American. " "For all that, Louis Napoleon has placed her among the elect, "remarked the Countess Helene, with a mischievous glance towards theMarquise, each understanding that the mention of the Second Empire waslike a call to war, in that salon. "Louis!" and the dowager shrugged her shoulder, and made a gesture ofcontempt. "That accident! What is he that any one should be exalted byhis favor? Mademoiselle de Montijo was--for the matter of that--hissuperior! Her family had place and power; her paternity wasundisputed; but this Louis--tah! There was but one Bonaparte; thatsubaltern from Corsica; that meteor. He was, with all his faults, aworker, a thinker, an original. He would have swept into the sea theenvious islanders across the channel to whom this Bonapartetruckled--this man called Bonaparte, who was no Bonaparte at all--avulture instead of an eagle!" So exclaimed the dowager, who carried in her memory the picture of thestreets of Paris when neither women nor children were spared by thebullets and sabres of his slaughterers--the hyena to whom the clergyso bowed down that not a mass for the dead patriots could be securedin Paris, from either priest or archbishop, and the Republicans piledin the streets by hundreds! Mrs. McVeigh turned in some dismay to the Countess Helene. The peopleof the Western world, the women in particular, knew little of thebitter spirit permeating the politics of France. The United States hadvery knotty problems of her own to discuss in 1859. "Tah!" continued the dowager, "I startle you! Well, well--it profitsnothing to recite these ills. Many a man, and woman, too, has been putto death for saying less;--and the exile of my son to remember--yes;all that! He was Republican--I a Legitimist; I of the old, he of thenew. Republics are good in theory; France might have given it a longertrial but for this trickster politician, who is called Emperor--by thegrace of God!" "Do they add 'Defender of the Faith' as our cautious English neighborspersist in doing?" asked the girlish Marquise with a smile. "Yourcountry, Madame McVeigh, has no such cant in its constitution. Youhave reason to be proud of the great men, the wise, far-seeing men, who framed those laws. " Mrs. McVeigh smiled and sighed in self-pity. "How frivolous American women will appear to you, Madame! Few of usever read the constitution of our country. I confess I only know thefirst line:--'When in the course of human events it becomesnecessary, ' but what they thought necessary to do is very vague in mymind. " Then, catching the glance of the Marquise bright with laughter, shelaughed also without knowing well at what. "Well; what is it?" "Only that you are quoting from the Declaration of Independence, andfancy it the constitution. " "That is characteristic of American women, too, " laughed Mrs. McVeigh;"declarations of independence is one of our creeds. But I shallcertainly be afraid of you, Marquise. At your age the learning andcomparing of musty laws would have been dull work for me. It is theage for dancing and gay carelessness. " The Marquise smiled assent with her curious, dark eyes, in which amberlights shown. She had a certain appealing meekness at times--a sweetdeference that was a marked contrast to the aggressiveness with whichshe had met Dumaresque in the morning. The Countess Helene, observingthe deprecating manner with which she received the implied praise forerudition, found herself watching with a keener interest the girl whohad seemed to her a mere pretty book-worm. "She is more than that, " thought the astute worldling. "Alain's widowhas a face for tragedy, the address of an ingenue, and the _tout ensemble_ of a coquette. " The dowager smiled at Mrs. McVeigh's remarks. "She cares too little for dancing, the natural expression of healthyyoung animalism; but what can I do?--nothing less frivolous than asalon a-la-Madame D'Agoult is among her ambitions. " "Let us persuade her to visit America, " suggested Mrs. McVeigh. "I can, at least, prescribe a change promising more of joyousfestivity--life on a Carolina plantation. " "What delight for her! she loves travel and new scenes. Indeed, Alain, my son, has purchased a property in your land, and some day she may goover. But for the brief remnant of my life I shall be selfish and wanther always on my side of the ocean. What, child? you pale at themention of death--tah! it is not so bad. The old die by installments, and the last one is not the worst. " "May it be many years in the future, Maman, " murmured the youngMarquise, whose voice betrayed a certain effort as she continued: "Ithank you for the suggestion, Madame McVeigh; the property Mamanrefers to is in New Orleans, and I surely hope to see your countrysome day; my sympathies are there. " "We have many French people in the South; our own part of the land wassettled originally by the cavaliers of France. You would not feel likea stranger there. " "Not in your gracious neighborhood, Madame;"--her face had regainedits color, and her eyes their brilliant expression. "And there you would see living pictures like this, " suggested theCountess Helene; "what material for an artist!" "Oh, no; in the rice fields of South Carolina they do not look likethat. We have none of those Oriental effects in dress, you know. Ourcolored women look very sober in comparison; still they have theirattractions, and might be an interesting study for you if you havenever known colored folks. " "Oh, but I have, " remarked the Marquise, smiling; "an entire year ofmy life was passed in a school with two from Brazil, and one from yourcountry had run away the same season. " "Judithe; child!" The dowager fairly gasped the words, and the Marquise moved quickly toher side and sank on the cushion at her feet, looking up with anassuring smile, as she caressed the aged hand. "Yes, it is quite true, " she continued; "but see, I am alive to tellthe tale, and really they say the American was a most harmless littlething; the poor, imprisoned soul. " "How strange!" exclaimed Mrs. McVeigh; "do you mean as fellowpupils?--colored girls! It seems awful. " "Really, I never thought of it so; you see, so many planters'daughters come from the West Indies to Paris schools. Many in featureand color suggest the dark continent, but are accepted, nevertheless. However, the girl I mention was not dark. Her mother had seven whiteancestors to one of black. Yet she confided her story to a friend ofmine, and she was an American slave. " The dowager was plainly distressed at the direction of the conversation, for the shock to Mrs. McVeigh was so very apparent, and as her hostessremembered that slavery was threatening to become an institution ofuncompromising discord across the water, all reference to it was likelyto be unwelcome. She pressed the fingers of the Marquise warningly, and the Marquise smiled up at her, but evidently did not understand. "Can such a thing be possible?" asked Mrs. McVeigh, incredulously; "inthat case I shall think twice before I send _my_ daughter here toschool, as I had half intended--and you remained in such anestablishment?" "I had no choice; my guardians decided those questions. " "And the faculty--they allowed it?" "They did not know it. She was represented as being the daughter of anAmerican planter; which was true. I have reason to believe that myfriend was her only confidant. " "And for what purpose was she educated in such an establishment?" "That she might gain accomplishments enhancing her value as companionto the man who was to own her. " "Madame!" "Marquise!" The two exclamations betrayed how intent her listeners were, and howfull of horror the suggestion. There was even incredulity in thetones, an initiative protest against such possibilities. But theMarquise looked from one to the other with unruffled earnestness. "So it was told to me, " she continued; "these accomplishments meantextra thousands to the man who sold her, and the man was her father'sbrother. " "No, no, no!" and Mrs. McVeigh shook her head decidedly to emphasizeher conviction. "I cannot believe that at the present day in ourcountry such an arrangement could exist. No one, knowing our men, could credit such a story. In the past century such abuses might haveexisted, but surely not now--in all my life I have heard of nothinglike that. " "Probably the girl was romancing, " agreed the Marquise, with a shrug, "for you would no doubt be aware if such a state of affairs hadexistence. " "Certainly. " "Then your men are not so clever as ours, " laughed the Countess; "forthey manage many little affairs their own women never suspect. " Mrs. McVeigh looked displeased. To her it was not a matter ofcleverness, but of principle and morality; and in her mind there wasabsolutely no comparison possible without jarring decidedly on theprejudices of her Gallic friends, so she let the remark pass withoutcomment. "Yes, " said the Marquise, rising, "when I heard the story of the girlRhoda I fancied it one the white mistresses of America seldom heard. " "Rhoda?" "Yes, that was the name the girl was known by in the school--RhodaLarue--the Larue was a fiction; slaves, I am told, having no legalright to names. " "Heavens! What horrors you fancy! Pray give us some music child, anddrive away the gloomy pictures you have suggested. " "An easy penance;" and the Marquise moved smilingly towards thealcove. "What!" cried the Countess Helene, in protest, "and the storyunfinished! Why, it might develop into a romance. I dote on romancesin real life or fiction, but I like them all spelled out for me to thevery end. " "Instead of a romance, I should fancy the girl's life very prosaicwherever it is lived, " returned the Marquise. "But before her year atthe convent had quite expired she made her escape--took no one intoher confidence; and when her guardian, or his agent, came to claimher, there were storms, apologies, but no ward. " "And you do not call that a romance?" said the Countess. "I do; itoffers all sorts of possibilities. " "Yes, the possibility of this;" and Mrs. McVeigh pointed to thepicture before them. The Marquise halted, looked curiously at thespeaker, then regarded the oriental face on the canvas thoughtfully, and passed her hand over her brow with a certain abstraction. "I never thought of that, " she said slowly. "You poor creature!" andshe took a step nearer the picture. "I--never--thought of that! Maman, Madame McVeigh has just taught me something--to be careful, carefulhow we judge the unfortunate. They say this Kora is a light woman inmorals; but suppose--suppose somewhere the life that girl told of inthe convent really does exist, and suppose this pretty Kora had beenone of the victims chosen! Should we dare then to judge her by ourstandards, Maman? I think not. " Without awaiting an opinion she walked slowly into the alcove, andleft the three ladies gazing at each other with a trifle of constraintmingled with their surprise. "Another sacred cause to fight for, " sighed the dowager, with a quaintgrimace. "Last week it was the Jews, who seem to me quite able to takecare of themselves! Next week it may be Hindoo widows; but just now itis Kora!" "She should have been born a boy in the age when it was thought avirtue to don armor and do battle for the weak or incapable; thatwould have suited Judithe. " "Not if it was the fashion, " laughed the Countess Helene; "she wouldinsist on being original. " "The Marquise has a lovely name, " remarked Mrs. McVeigh; "one couldnot imagine a weak or unattractive person called Judithe. " "No; they could not, " agreed her friend, "it makes one think of thetragedy of Holofernes. It suggests the strange, the fascinating, theunusual, and--it suits Madame la Marquise. " "Your approval is an unconscious compliment to me, " remarked thedowager, indulging herself in a tiny pinch of snuff and tapping thejeweled lid of the box; "I named her. " "Indeed!" and Mrs. McVeigh smiled at the complacent old lady, whilethe Countess Helene almost stared. Evidently she, also, had heard theopinions concerning the young widow's foreign extraction. Possibly thedowager guessed what was passing in her mind, for she nodded andsmiled. "Truly, the eyes did it. Though she was not so fully developed as now, those slumbrous, oriental eyes of hers suggested someway that beautyof Bethulia; the choice was left to me and so she was christenedJudithe. " "She voices such startlingly paganish ideas at times that I canscarcely imagine her at the christening font, " remarked the Countess. "In truth her questions are hard to answer sometimes. But the heart isall right. " "And the lady herself magnetic enough without the added suggestion ofthe name, " remarked Mrs. McVeigh; then she held up her finger as theCountess was about to speak, for from the music room came theappealing legato notes of "Suwanee River, " played with greattenderness. "What is it?" asked the dowager. "One of our American folk songs, " and the grey eyes of the speakerwere bright with tears; "in all my life I have never heard it playedso exquisitely. " "For a confirmed blue stocking, the Marquise understands remarkablywell how to make her little compliments, " said the Countess Helene. Mrs. McVeigh arose, and with a slight bow to the dowager, passed intothe alcove. At the last bar of the song a shadow fell across the keys, and the musician saw their American visitor beside her. "I should love to have you see the country whose music you interpretso well, " she said impulsively; "I should like to be with you when youdo see it. " "You are kind, and I trust you may be, " replied the Marquise, with apretty nod that was a bow in miniature. She was rising from the piano, when Mrs. McVeigh stopped her. "Pray don't! It is a treat to hear you. I only wanted to ask you totake my invitation seriously and come some time to our South Carolinahome; I should like to be one of your friends. " "It would give me genuine pleasure, " was the frank reply. "You know Iconfessed that my sympathies were there ahead of me. " The smileaccompanying the words was so adorable that Mrs. McVeigh bent to kissher. The Marquise offered her cheek with a graciousness that was a caressin itself, and thus their friendship commenced. After the dowager and her daughter-in-law were again alone, and withan assurance that even the privileged Dumaresque would not break in ontheir evening, the elder lady asked, abruptly, a question over whichshe had been puzzling. "Child, what possessed you to tell to a Southern woman of theStates that story reflecting on the most vital of their economicinstitutions? Had you forgotten their prejudices? I was in dreadthat you might offend her, and I am sure Helene Biron was quite asnervous. " "I did not offend her, Maman, " replied the Marquise, looking up fromher embroidery with a smile, "and I had not forgotten theirprejudices. I only wanted to judge if she herself had ever heard thestory. " "Madame McVeigh!--and why?" "Because Rhoda Larue was also a native of that particular part ofCarolina to which she has invited me, and because of a fact which Ihave never forgotten, the young planter for whom she was educated--theslave owner who bought her from her father's brother was namedMcVeigh. My new friend is delightful in herself but--she has a son. " "My child!" gasped the dowager, staring at her. "Such a man the son ofthat charming, sincere woman! Yes, I had forgotten their name, and bidyou forget the story; never speak of it again, child!" "I should be sorry to learn it is the same family, " admitted theMarquise; "still, I shall make a point of avoiding the son until welearn something about him. It is infamous that such men should bereceived into society. " The dowager relapsed into silence, digesting the troublesome questionproposed. Occasionally she glanced towards the Marquise as though in expectationof a continuation of the subject. But the Marquise was engrossed byher embroideries, and when she did speak again it was of some entirelydifferent matter. CHAPTER III. Two mornings later M. Dumaresque stood in the Caron reception roomstaring with some dissatisfaction across the breadth of green lawnwhere the dryad and faun statues held vases of vining and bloomingthings. He had just been told the dowager was not yet to be seen. That wasonly what he had expected; but he had also been told that theMarquise, accompanied, as usual, by Madame Blanc, had been out for twohours--and that he had not expected. "Did she divine I would be in evidence this morning?" Then he glancedin a pier glass and grimaced. "Gone out with that plain Madame Blanc, when she might have had a treat--an hour with me!" While he stood there both the Marquise and her companion appeared, walking briskly. Madame Blanc, a stout woman of thirty-five, wasrather breathless. "My dear Marquise, you do not walk, you fly, " she gasped, halting onthe steps. "You poor dear!" said the Marquise, patting her kindly on theshoulder. "I know you are faint for want of your coffee, " and at thesame time her strong young arms helped the panting attendant mount thesteps more quickly. Once within the hall Madame Blanc dropped into the chair nearest thedoor, while the Marquise swept into the reception room and hastily toa window fronting on the street. "How foolish of me, " she breathed aloud. "How my heart beats!" "Allow me to prescribe, " said Dumaresque, stepping from behind thescreen of the curtain, and smiling at her. She retreated, her hands clasped over her breast, her eyes startled;then meeting his eyes she began to laugh a little nervously. "How you frightened me!" "And it was evidently not the first, this morning. " She sank into a seat, indicated another to him, away from the window, removed her hat and leaned back looking at him. "No, you are not, " she said at last. "But account for yourself, Monsieur Loris! The sun is not yet half way on its course, yet you areactually awake, and visible to humanity--it looks serious. " "It is, " he agreed, smiling at her, yet a trifle nervous in hisregard. "I have taken advantage of the only hour out of the twentywhen there would be a chance of seeing you alone. So I made anerrand--and I am here. " "And--?" "And I have determined that, after the fashion of the Americans or theEnglish, I shall no longer ask the intervention of a third person. Idecided on it last night before I left here. I have no title to offeryou--you coldest and most charming of women, but I shall have fame;you will have no reason to be ashamed of the name of Dumaresque. Putme on probation, if you like, a year, two years!--only--" "No; no!" she said pleadingly, putting out her hands with a slightrepellant gesture. "It is not to be thought of, Monsieur Loris, Mamanhas told you! Twice has the same reply been given. I really cannotallow you to continue this suppliance. I like you too well to beangry with you, but--" "I shall be content with the liking--" "But I should not!" she declared, smilingly. "I have my ideals, if youplease, Monsieur. Marriage should mean love. It is only matrimony forwhich liking is the foundation. I do not approve of matrimony. " "Pardon; that is the expression of the romance lover--the school girl. But that I know you have lived the life of a nun I should fear someone had been before me, some one who realized those ideals of yours, and that instead of studying the philosophies of life, you have been astudent of the philosophy of love. " He spoke lightly--half laughingly, but the flush of pink suffusing herthroat and brow checked his smile. He could only stare. She arose hastily and walked the length of the room. When she turnedthe color was all gone, but her eyes were softly shining. "All philosophy falls dead when the heart speaks, " she said, as sheresumed her chair; "and now, Monsieur Loris, I mean to make you myfather confessor, for I know no better way of ending these periodicalproposals of yours, and at the same time confession might--well--itmight not be without a certain benefit to myself. " He perceived thatwhile she had assumed an air of raillery, there was some substanceback of the mocking shadow. "I shall feel honored by your confidence, Marquise, " he was earnestenough in that. "And when you realize that there is--some one else--will you thenresume your former role of friend?" "I shall try. Who is the man?" She met his earnest gaze with a demure smile, "I do not know, Monsieur. " "What, then?--you are only jesting with me?" "Truly, I do not know his name. " "Yet you are in love with him?" "I am not quite certain even of that, " and she smiled mockingly;"sometimes I have a fancy it may be witchcraft. I only know I amhaunted--have been haunted four long weeks by a face, a voice, and twoblue eyes. " "Blue?" Dumaresque glanced in the mirror--his own eyes were blue. "Yes, Monsieur Loris--blue with a dash of grey--the grey of the seawhen clouds are heavy, and the blue of the farthest waves before thestorm breaks--don't you see the color?" "Only the color of your fancy. He is the owner of blue eyes, ahaunting voice, and--what else is my rival?" "A foreigner, and--Monsieur Incognito. " "You have met?" "Three times;" and she held up as many white fingers. The replyevidently astounded Dumaresque. "You have met three times a man whose name you do not know?" "We are even on that score, " she said, "for he has spoken to me threetimes and does not know what I am called. " "But to address you--" "He called me Mademoiselle Unknown. " "Bravo! This grows piquant; an adventure with all the flavor of theeighteenth instead of the nineteenth century. A real adventure, andyou its heroine! Oh, Marquise, Marquise!" "Ah! since you appreciate the humor of the affair you will no longerbe oppressed by sentimental fancies concerning me;" and she nodded herhead as though well pleased with the experiment of her confession. "You perceive how wildly improper I have been; still, I deny theeighteenth century flavor, Monsieur. Then, with three meetings thecavalier would have developed into a lover, and having gained entranceto a lady's heart, he would have claimed also the key to her castle. " "Astute pupil of the nuns!--and Monsieur Incognito?" "He certainly does not fancy me possessed of either castle or keys. Iwas to him only an unpretentious English companion in attendance onMadame Blanc in the woods of Fontainbleau. " "English! Since when are you fond enough of them to claim kindred?" "He was English; he supposed me so when I replied to him in thattongue. He had taken the wrong path and--" "And you walked together on another, also the wrong path. " "No, Monsieur; that first day we only bowed and parted, but the ghostof his voice remained, " and she sighed in comical self-pity. "I see! You have first given me the overture and now the curtain is torise. Who opens the next scene?" "Madame Blanc. " "My faith! This grows tragical. Blanc, the circumspect, the dowager'smost trusted companion. Has your stranger bewitched her also?" "She was too near sighted to tell him from the others. I was making asketch of beeches and to pass the time she fed the carp. A fan bywhich she set store, fell into the water. She lamented until MonsieurIncognito secured it. Of course I had to be the one to thank him, asshe speaks no English. " "Certainly!--and then?" "Then I found a seat in the shade for Madame Blanc and her crochet, and selected a sunny spot myself, where I could dry the fan. " "Alone?" "At first, I was alone. " "Delicious! You were never more charming, Marquise; go on. " "When he saw Madame Blanc placidly knitting under the trees, while Ispread her fan to dry, he fancied I was in her service; the fancy wasgiven color by the fact that my companion, as usual, was dressed withextreme elegance, whilst I was insignificant in an old school habit. " "Insignificant--um! There was conversation I presume?" "Not much, " she confessed, and again the delicious wave of color sweptover her face, "but he had suggested spreading the fan on hishandkerchief, and of course then he had to remain until it was dry. " "Clever Englishman; and as he supposed you to be a paid companion, washe, also, some gentleman's gentleman?" She flashed one mutinous glance at him. "The jest seemed to me amusing; his presence was an exhilaration; andI did not correct his little mistake as to mistress and maid. When heattempted to tell me who or what he was I stopped him; that would havespoiled the adventure. I know he had just come from England; that hewas fascinating without being strictly handsome; that he could saythrough silence the most eloquent things to one! It was an hour inArcady--just one hour without past or future. They are the onlyabsolutely joyous ones, are they not?" "Item: it was the happiest hour in the life of Madame La Marquise, "commented Dumaresque, with an attempt at drollery, and an accompanimentof a sigh. "Well--the finale?" "The hour ended! I said 'good day, Monsieur Incognito. ' He said, 'goodnight, Mademoiselle Unknown. '" "Good night! Heavens--it was not then an hour, but a day!" "It was an hour, Monsieur! That was only one way of conveying hisbelief that all the day was in that hour. " "Blessed be the teachings of the convent! And you would have mebelieve that an Englishman could make such speeches? However, I ameager for the finale--the next day?" "The next day I surprised Monsieur and Madame Blanc by declaring thesketch I was doing of the woods there, was hopelessly bad--I wouldnever complete it. " "Ah!" and Dumaresque's exclamation had a note of hope; "he had been abore after all?" "The farthest thing possible from it! When I woke in the morning itwas an hour earlier than usual. I found myself with my eyes scarcelyopen, standing before the clock to reckon every instant of time untilI should see him again. Well, from that moment my adventure ceased tobe merely amusing. I told myself how many kinds of an idiot I was, andI thrust my head among the pillows again. I realized then, Monsieur, what a girl's first romance means to her. I laughed at myself, ofcourse, as I had laughed at others often. But I could not laugh downthe certainty that the skies were bluer, the birds' songs sweeter, andall life more lovely than it had ever been before. " "And by what professions, or what mystic rhymes or runes, did he bringabout this enchantment?" "Not by a single sentence of protestation? An avowal would have sentme from him without a regret. If we had not met at all after thatfirst look, that first day, I am convinced I should have been hauntedby him just the same! There were long minutes when we did not speak orlook at each other; but those minutes were swept with harmonies. Now, Monsieur Loris, would you call that love, or is it a sort ofsummer-time madness?" "Probably both, Marquise; but there was a third meeting?" "After three days, Monsieur; days when I forced myself to remainindoors; and the struggle it was, when I could close my eyes and seehim waiting there under the trees!" "Ah! There had been an appointment?" "Pardon, Monsieur; you are perhaps confounding this with someremembered adventure of your own. There was no appointment. But I feltconfident that blue-eyed ogre was walking every morning along the pathwhere I met him first, and that he would compel me to open the doorand walk straight to our own clump of bushes so long as I did not sendhim away. " "And you finally went?" She nodded. "He was there. His smile was like sunshine. He approachedme, but I--I did not wait. I went straight to him. He said, 'At last, Mademoiselle Unknown!'" "Pardon; but it is your words I have most interest in, " reminded herconfessor. "But I said so few. I remember I had some violets, and he asked mewhat they were called in French. I told him I was going away; I hadfed the carp for the last time. He was also leaving. He had gatheredsome wild forget-me-nots. He was coming into Paris. " "And you parted unknown to each other?" "How could I do else? When he said, 'I bid you good-bye, MademoiselleUnknown, but we shall meet again. ' Then--then I did correct him alittle; I said _Madame_ Unknown, Monsieur. " "Ah! And to that--?" "He said not a word, only looked at me; _how_ he looked at me! I feltguilty as a criminal. When I looked up he turned away--turned verypolitely, with lifted hat and a bow even you could not improve upon, Monsieur Loris, I watched him out of sight in the forest. He neverhalted; and he never turned his head. " "You might at least have let him go without the thought that you werea flirtatious matron with a husband somewhere in the back-ground. " "Yes; I almost regret that. Still, since I had to send him away, whatmatter how? It would have been so common-place had I said: 'We receiveon Thursdays; find Loris Dumaresque when you reach Paris; he willpresent you. ' No!"--and she shook her head laughingly, "the three dayswere quite enough. He is an unknown world; a romance only suggested, and the suggestion is delicious. I would not for the world have himnearer prosaic reality. " "You will forget him in another three weeks, " prophesied Dumaresque;"he has been only a shadow of a man; a romantic dream. I shall refuseto accept any but realities as rivals. " "I assure you, no reality has been so appealing as that dream, " shepersisted. "I am telling you all this with the hope that once I havelaughed with you over this witchcraft it will be robbed of itspotency. I have destroyed the sacred wall of sentiment surroundingthis ghost of mine because I rebel at being mastered by it. " "Mastered?--you?" "Oh, you laugh! You think me, then, too cold or too philosophic, inspite of what I have just told you?" "Not cold, my dear Marquise. But if you will pardon the liberty ofanalysis I will venture the opinion that when you are mastered it willbe by yourself. Your very well-shaped head will forever defend youfrom the mastery of others. " "Mastered by myself? I do not think I quite understand you, " she said, slowly. "But I must tell you the extreme limit of my folly, the follyof the imagination. Each morning I go for a walk, as I did thismorning. Each time I leave the door I have with me the fancy thatsomewhere I shall meet him. Of course my reason tells me howimprobable it is, but I put the reason aside and enjoy my walk all themore because of that fancied tryst. Now, Monsieur Loris, you have beenthe victim of my romance long enough. Come; we will join Madame Blancand have some coffee. " "And this is all you have to tell me, Marquise?" "All but one little thing, Monsieur, " and she laughed, though thelaugh was a trifle nervous; "this morning for an instant I thoughtthe impossible had happened. Only one street from here my ogrematerialized again, or some one wondrously like him. How startledI was! How I hurried poor Madame Blanc! But we were evidently notdiscovered. I realized, however, at that moment, how imprudent I hadbeen. How shocked Maman would be if she knew. Yet it was really themost innocent jest, to begin with. " "They often begin that way, " remarked Dumaresque, consolingly. "Well, I have arrived at one conclusion. It is only because I have metso few men, that _one_ dare make such an overwhelming impression onme. I rebel; and shall amaze Maman by becoming a social butterfly fora season. So, in future bring all your most charming friends to seeme; but no tall, athletic, blue-eyed Englishmen. " "So, " said Dumaresque, as he followed her to the breakfast room, "Ilay awake all night that I may make love to you early in the morning, and you check-mate me by thrusting forward a brawny Englishman. " "Pardon; he is not brawny;" she laughed; "I never said so;nevertheless, Monsieur Loris, I can teach you one thing: When love hasto be _made_ it is best not to waste time with it. The real love makesitself and will neither be helped or hindered; and the love that canbe conquered is not worth having. " He shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "In a year and a day I shall return to the discussion. I give you solong to change your mind and banish your phantasy; and in the meantimeI remain your most devoted visitor. " Madame Blanc was already in evidence with the coffee, and Dumaresquewatched the glowing face of the Marquise, surprised and puzzled atthis new influence she confessed to and asked analysis for. Thisbook-worm; this reader of law and philosophy; how charming had beenher blushes even while she spoke in half mockery of the face hauntingher. If only such color would sweep over her cheek at the thought ofhim--Dumaresque! But he had his lesson for the present. He would not play thesighing Strephon, realizing that this particular Amaryllis was notto be won so. As he received the coffee from her hand he remarked, mischievously, "Marquise, you did not quite complete the story. Whatbecame of the forget-me-nots he gathered?" But the Marquise only laughed. "We are no longer in the confessional, Monsieur, " she said. CHAPTER IV. Mrs. McVeigh found herself thinking of the young Marquise very often. She was not pleased at the story with which she had been entertainedthere; yet was she conscious of the fact that she would have been verymuch more displeased had the story been told by any other than thefascinating girl-widow. "Do you observe, " she remarked to the Countess Helene, "that youngthough she is she seems to have associated only with elderlypeople, or with books where various questions were discussed? Itis a pity. She has been robbed of childhood and girlhood by thefriends who are so proud of her, and who would make of her only alovely thinking-machine. " "You do not then approve of the strong-minded woman, the femalephilosopher. " "Oh, yes;" replied Mrs. McVeigh, dubiously; "but this delightfulcreature does not belong to that order yet. She is bubbling over withenthusiasm for the masses because she has not yet been touched byenthusiasm for an individual. I wish she would fall in love with somefine fellow who would marry her and make her life so happy she wouldforget all the bad laws of nations and the bad morals of the world. " "Hum! I fancy suitors have not been lacking. Her income is notrifle. " "In our country a girl like that would need no income to insure herdesirable suitors. She is the most fascinating creature, and sounconscious of her charms. " Her son, who had been at a writing desk in the corner, laid down hispen and turned around. "My imperfect following of your rapid French makes me understand atleast that this is a serious case, " he said, teasingly. "Are you sure, mother, that she has not treated you to enchantment? I heard the samelady described a few days ago, and the picture drawn was that of anatheistical revolutionist, an unlovely and unlovable type. " "Ah!" said the Countess Helene. "You also are opposed to beautifulmachines that think. " "I have never been accustomed to those whose thoughts follow suchunpleasant lines, Madame, " he replied. "I have been taught to reverethe woman whose foundation of life is the religion scorned by the ladyyou are discussing. A woman without that religion would be like ascentless blossom to me. " The Countess smiled and raised her brows slightly. This severe youngofficer, her friend's son, took himself and his tastes veryseriously. Looking at him she fancied she could detect both the hawk and the dovemeeting in those clear, level eyes of his. Though youthful, she couldsee in him the steadiness of the only son--the head of the house--theprotector and the adored of his mother and sister, who were goodlittle women, flattering their men folks by their dependence. And fromthat picture the lady who was studying him passed on to the picture ofthe possible bride to whom he would some day fling his favors. She, also, must be adoring and domestic and devout. Her articles of faithmust be as orthodox as his affection. He would love her, of course, but must do the thinking for the family. Because the Lieutenant lacked the buoyant, adaptable Frenchtemperament of his mother, the Countess was inclined to be rathersevere in her judgment of him. He was so young; so serious. She didnot fancy young men except in the pages of romances; even when theyhad brains they appeared to her always over-weighted with theresponsibility of them. It is only after a man has left his boyhood in the distance that hecan amuse a woman with airy nothings and make her feel that his wordsare only the froth on the edge of a current that is deep--deep! Mrs. McVeigh, unconscious of the silent criticism being passed onher son, again poised a lance in defence of the stranger underdiscussion. "It is absurd to call her atheistical, " she insisted; "would I beinfluenced by such a person? She is an enthusiast, student of manyreligions, possibly; but people should know her before they judge, andyou, Kenneth, should see her before you credit their gossip. She is abeautiful, sympathetic child, oppressed too early with the seriousnessof life. " "At any rate, I see I shall never take you home heart whole, " hedecided, and laughed as he gathered up letters he had been addressingand left the room. "One could fancy your son making a tour of the world and coming backwithout a sentimental scratch, " said the Countess, after he had gone. "I have noticed him with women; perfectly gallant, interested andwilling to please, but not a flutter of an eyelid out of form; not atone of the voice that would flatter one. I am not sure but that thewomen are all the more anxious to claim such a man, the victory seemsgreater, yet it is more natural to find them reciprocal. Perhaps thereis a betrothed somewhere to whom he has sworn allegiance in its mostrigid form; is that the reason?" Mrs. McVeigh smiled. She rather liked to think her son not sosusceptible as Frenchmen pretended to be. "I do not think there are any vows of allegiance, " she confessed; "butthere is someone at home to whom we have assigned him since they werechildren. " "Truly? But I fancied the parents did not arrange the affairsmatrimonial in your country. " "We do not; that is, not in a definite official way. Still, we areallowed our little preferences, and sometimes we can help or hinder inour own way. But this affair"--and she made a gesture towards the doorof her son's room, "this affair is in embryo yet. " "Good settlements?" "Oh, yes; the girl is quite an heiress and is the niece of hisguardian--his guardian that was. Their estates join, and they havealways been fond of each other; so you see we have reason for ourhopes. " "Excellent!" agreed her friend, "and to conclude, I am to suppose ofcourse she is such a beauty that she blinds his eyes to all the charmsarrayed before him here. " "Well, we never thought of Gertrude as a beauty exactly; but she isremarkably good looking; all the Lorings are. I would have had herwith me for this visit but that her uncle, with whom she lives, hasbeen very ill for months. They, also, are of colonial French descentwith, of course, the usual infusions of Anglo-Saxon and European bloodsupposed to constitute the new American. " "The new--" "Yes, you understand, we have yet the original American in ourland--the Indian. " "Ah!" with a gesture of repulsion; "the savages; and then, theAfricans! How brave you are, Claire. I should die of fear. " Mrs. McVeigh only smiled. She was searching through a portfolio, andfinally extracted a photograph from other pictures and papers. "That is Miss Loring, " she said, and handed it to the Countess, whoexamined it with critical interest. "Very pretty, " she decided, "an English type. If she were a Parisian, a modiste and hairdresser would do wonders towards developing her intoa beauty of the very rare, very fair order. She suggests a slenderwhite lily. " "Yes, Gertrude is a little like that, " assented Mrs. McVeigh, andplaced the photograph on the mantel beside that of the very charming, piquant face of a girl resembling Mrs. McVeigh. It was a picture ofher daughter. "Only six weeks since I left her; yet, it seems like a year, " shesighed; and Fitzgerald Delaven, who had entered from the Lieutenant'sroom, sighed ponderously at her elbow. "Well, Dr. Delaven, why are you blowing like a bellows?" she asked, with a smile of good nature. "Out of sympathy, my lady, " replied the young Irishman. "Now, how can you possibly sympathize understandingly with a mother'sfeelings, you Irish pretender?" she asked with a note of fondness inher tones. "I sigh because I have not seen my little Evilena for sixweeks. " "And I because I am never likely to see that lovely duplicate ofyourself at all, at all! Ah, you laugh! But have you not noticed thateach time I am allowed to enter this room I pay my devotions to thatparticular corner of the mantel?" "A very modern shrine, " observed the Countess; "and why should you notsee the original of the picture some day. It is not so far toAmerica. " "True enough, but I'll be delving for two years here in the medicalcollege, " he replied with lamentation in his tone. "And after thatI'll be delving for a practice in some modest corner of the world, andall the time that little lady will be counting her lovers on every oneof her white fingers, and, finally, will name the wedding day for abetter boy than myself, och hone! och hone!" Both the ladies laughed over his comical despair, and when LieutenantMcVeigh entered and heard the cause of it he set things right bypromising to speak a good word for Delaven to the little girl acrossthe water. "You are a trump, Lieutenant; sorry am I that I have no sister withwhich to return the compliment. " "She might be in the way, " suggested the Countess, and made a gesturetowards the other picture. "You perceive; our friend need not comeabroad for charming faces; those at home are worth courting. " "True for you, Madame;" he gave a look askance at the Lieutenant, andagain turned his eyes to the photograph; "there's an excuse forturning your back on the prettiest we have to offer you!" and then inan undertone, he added: "Even for putting aside the chance of knowingour so adorable Marquise. " The American did not appear to hear or to appreciate the spirit of thejest regarding the pictures, for he made no reply. The Countess, whowas interested in everybody's affairs, wondered if it was because theheiress was a person of indifference to him, or a person who wassacred; it was without doubt one or the other for which the man madeof himself a blank wall, and discouraged discussion. Her carriage was just then announced; an engagement with Mrs. McVeighwas arranged for the following morning, and then the Countessdescended the staircase accompanied by the Lieutenant and Delaven. Sheliked to make progress through all public places with at least two menin attendance; even a youthful lieutenant and an untitled medicalstudent were not to be disdained, though she would, of course, havepreferred the Lieutenant in a uniform, six feet of broad shouldered, good-looking manhood would not weigh in her estimation with theglitter of buttons and golden cord. The two friends were yet standing on the lower step of the hotelentrance, gazing idly after her carriage as it turned the corner, whenanother carriage containing two ladies rolled softly towards theirside of the street, as if to stop at a jeweler's two doors below. Delaven uttered a slight exclamation of pleasure, and stepped forwardas if to speak, or open the door of their carriage. But the occupantsevidently did not see him, and, moreover, changed their minds aboutstopping, for the wheels were just ceasing to revolve when the youngerof the ladies leaned forward, spoke a brief word, and the driver sentthe horses onward at a rapid trot past the hotel, and Delaven steppedback with a woeful grimace. "Faith! no chance to even play the lackey for her, " he grumbled. "There's an old saying that 'God is good to the Irish;' but I don'tthink I'm getting my share of it this day; unless its by way of beingkept out of temptation, and sure, its never a Delaven would pray forthat when the temptation is a lovely woman. Now wasn't she worth aday's journey afoot just to look at?" He turned to his companion, whose gaze was still on the recedingcarriage, and who seemed, at last, to be aroused to interest insomething Parisian; for his eyes were alight, his expression, amingling of delight and disappointment. At Delaven's question, however, he attempted nonchalance, not very successfully, andremarked, as they re-entered the house, "There were two of them tolook at, which do you mean?" "Faith, now, did you suppose for a minute it was the dowager I meant?Not a bit of it! Madame Alain, as I heard some of them call her, isthe 'gem of purest ray serene. ' What star of the heavens dare twinklebeside her?" "Don't attempt the poetical, " suggested the other, unfeelingly. "I amto suppose, then, that you know her--this Madame Alain?" "Do I know her? Haven't I been raving about her for days? Haven't youvowed she belonged to the type abhorrent to you? Haven't I had toendure your reflections on my sanity because of the adjectives I'veemployed to describe her attractions? Haven't you been laughing atyour own mother and myself for our infatuation?--and now--" He stopped, because the Lieutenant's grip on his shoulder wasuncomfortably tight, as he said: "Shut up! Who the devil are you talking about?" "By the same power, how can I shut up and tell you at the same time?"and Delaven moved his arm, and felt of his shoulder, with exaggeratedself-pity. "Man! but you've got a grip in that fist of yours. " "Who is the lady you call Madame Alain?" "Faith, if you had gone to her home when you were invited you'd haveno need to ask me the question this day. Her nearest friends call herMadame Alain, because that was the given name of her husband, thesaints be good to him! and it helps distinguish her from the dowager. But for all that she is the lady you disdained to know--Madame laMarquise de Caron. " McVeigh stared at him moodily, even doubtfully. "You are not trying to play a practical joke, I reckon?" he said atlast; and then without waiting for a reply, walked over to the officewindow, where he stood staring out, his hands in his pockets, his backto Delaven, who was eyeing him calmly. Directly, he came backsmiling; his moody fit all gone. "And I was idiot enough to disdain that invitation?" he asked; "well, Fitz, I have repented. I am willing to do penance in any agreeable waywe can conjure up, and to commence by calling tomorrow, if you canfind a way. " Delaven found a way. Finding the way out of, or into difficulties wasone of his strong points and one he especially delighted in, if it hada flavor of intrigue, and was to serve a friend. Since his mother'sdeath in Paris, several years before, he had made his home in or aboutthe city. He was without near relatives, but had quite a number ofconnections whose social standing was such that there were few doorshe could not find keys to, or a password that was the equivalent. Hisown frank, ingenuous nature made him quite as many friends as hissocial and diplomatic connections; so that despite the fact of a notenormous income, and that he meant to belong to the professions someday, and that he was by no means a youth on matrimony bent--with allthese drawbacks he was welcomed in a social way to most delightfulcircles, and when he remarked to the dowager that he would like tobring his friend, the Lieutenant, at an early day, she assured himthey would be welcome. She endeavored to make them so in her own characteristic way, whenthey called, twenty-four hours later, and they spent a delightfultwenty minutes with her. She could not converse very freely with theAmerican, because of the difficulties of his French and her English, but their laughter over mistakes really tended to better theiracquaintance. He was conscious that her eyes were on him, even whileshe talked with Delaven, whose mother she had known. He would havebeen uncomfortable under such surveillance but for the feeling thatit was not entirely an unkindly regard, and he had hopes that theimpression made was in his favor. Loris Dumaresque arrived as they were about to take their departure, and Lieutenant McVeigh gathered from their greeting that he was adaily visitor--that as god-son he was acting as far as possible in thestead of a real son, and that the dowager depended on him in many wayssince his return to Paris. The American realized also that the artist would be called a veryhandsome man by some people, and that his gaiety and his selfconfidence would make him especially attractive to women. He felt animpatience with women who liked that sort of impudence. Delaven didnot get a civil word from him all the way home. Madame la Marquise--Madame Alain--had not appeared upon the scene atall. CHAPTER V. "But he is not at all bad, this American officer, " insisted thedowager; "such a great, manly fellow, with the deference instinctive, and eyes that regard you well and kindly. Your imagination has mostcertainly led you astray; it could not be that with such a face, andsuch a mother, he could be the--horrible! of that story. " "All the better for him, " remarked her daughter-in-law. "But I shouldnot feel at ease with him. He must be some relation, and I shouldshrink from all of the name. " "But, Madame McVeigh--so charming!" "Oh, well; she only has the name by accident, that is, by marriage. " The dowager regarded her with a smile of amusement. "Shall you always regard marriage as merely an accident?" sheasked. "Some day it will be presented to you in such a practical, advantageous way that you will cease to think it all chance. " "Advantageous?" and the Marquise raised her brows; "could we be morehappy than we are?" The old face softened at the words and tone. "But I shall not be always with you, " she replied; "and then--" "Alain knew, " said the girl, softly. "He said as a widow I could haveliberty. I would need no guardian; I could look after all my affairsas young girls could not do. Each year I shall grow older--morecompetent. " "But there is one thing Alain did not foresee: that your many suitorswould rob you of peace until you made choice of some particular one. These late days I have felt I should like the choice to be made whileI am here to see. " "Maman! you are not ill?" and in a moment she was beside the couch. "No; I think not; no, no, nothing to alarm you. I have only beenthinking that together--both of us to plan and arrange--yet I needLoris daily. And if there should be only one of us, that remaining onewould need some man's help all the more, and if it were you, who thenwould the man be? You perceive! It is wise to make plans for allpossibilities. " "There are women who live alone. " "Not happy women, " said the dowager in a tone, admitting of nocontradiction; "the women who live alone from choice are cold andselfish; or have hurts to hide and are heart-sick of a world in whichtheir illusions have been destroyed; or else they have never knowncompanionship, and so never feel the lack of it. My child, I will nothave you like any of these; you were made to enjoy life, and life tothe young should mean--well, I am a sentimentalist. I married the oneman who had all my affection. I approve of such marriages. If the mancomes for whom you would care like that, I should welcome him. " "He will never come, Maman, " and the smile of the Marquise somewaydrifted into a sigh. "I shall live and die the widow of Alain. " The dowager embraced her. "But for all that I do not approve, " sheprotested. "Your reasons for not marrying do not convince me, and Ipromise my support to the most worthy who presents himself. Have youan ideal to which nothing human may reach?" "For three years your son has seemed ideal to me, " said the Marquise, after a moment's hesitation. The dowager regarded her attentively. "He was?" she asked; "your regard for him does you credit; but, ambereyes, it is not for a man who has been dead a year that a womanblushes as you blush now. " "Oh!" began the Marquise, as if in protest; and then feeling that thecolor was becoming even more pronounced, she was silent. The dowager smiled, well pleased at her cleverness. "There was sure to be some one, some day, " she said, noddingsagaciously; "when you want to talk of it I will listen, my Judithe. Icould tell it in the tone of your voice as you sang or laughed; yes, there is nothing so wonderful in that, " she explained, as the girllooked up, startled. "You have always been a creature of aims, serious, almost ponderous. Suddenly you emerge like sunshine from theshadows; you are all gaiety and sudden smiles; unconsciously yousing low songs of happiness; you suggest brightness and hope; youhave suddenly come into your long-delayed girlhood. You give meaffectionate glimpses of the woman God meant you to be some day. Itcan only be a man who works such a miracle in an ascetic of nineteenyears. When the lucky fellow gathers courage to speak, I shall beglad to pass judgment on him. " The Marquise was silent. The light, humorous tone of the dowager haddisarmed her; yet she had of her own accord, and influenced by somewild mood, told Dumaresque all that was only guesswork to the friendbeside her. How could she have confessed it to him? She had wonderedat herself that she had dared, and after all it had been so entirelyuseless; it had not driven away the memory of the man at Fontainbleau, even for one little instant. Madame Blanc entered with some message for the dowager, and thequestion of marriage, also the more serious one of love, were putaside for the time. But Judithe was conscious that she was under a kindly surveillance, and suspected that Dumaresque, also, was given extra attention. Herconfession of that unusual fascination had made them better comrades, and the dowager was taking note that their tone was more frank, andtheir attitude suggested some understanding. It was like a comedy forher to watch them, feeling so sure that their sentiments were veryclear and that she could see the way it would all end. Judithe wouldcoquette with him awhile, and then it would be all very well; and itwould not be like a stranger coming into the family. The people who came close enough to see her often, realized that thejourney back to Paris had not been beneficial to the dowager. It hadonly been an experiment through which she had been led to open herhouse, receive her friends, introduce her daughter; but the littleexcitement of that had vanished, and now that the routine of life wasto be followed, it oppressed her. The ghosts of other days came soclose--the days when Alain had been beside her. At times she regrettedRome, but the physician forbade her return there until autumn. She hadfancied that a season in the old house at Fontainbleau would serve asa restorative to health--the house where Alain was born; but it was afailure. Her days there were days of tears, and sad, far-awaymemories. So to Paris she went with the assertion that there alone, life was to be found. She meant to live to the last minute of herlife, and where so well as in the one city inexhaustible? "Maman is trying to frighten me into marriage, " thought the Marquiseafter their conversation; "she wants some spectacular ceremony toenliven the house for a season, and cure her ennui; Paris has been adisappointment, and Loris is making himself necessary to her. " She was thinking of the matter, and of the impossibility that sheshould ever marry Loris, when a box of flowers was brought--one leftby a messenger, who said nothing of whence they came, and no name orcard attached suggested the sender. "For Maman, " decided the Marquise promptly. But Madame Blanc thought not. "You, Madame, are the Marquise. " "Oh, true! but the people who would send me flowers would not be socertain their own names would not be forgotten. I have no old, tried, and silent friends to remember me so. " While she spoke she was lifting out the creamy and blush-tinted roses;Maman should see them arranged in the prettiest vase, they must go upwith the chocolate--she would take it herself! So she chattered while Madame Blanc arranged the tray. But suddenlythe chatter ceased. The Marquise had lifted out the last of the roses, and under the fragrant screen lay the cause of the sudden silence. It was a few sprays of dew-wet forget-me-nots! Her heart seemed tostop beating. Forget-me-not! there was but one person who had any association in hermind with that flower. Did this have a meaning relating to him? or wasit only chance? She said nothing to Madame Blanc about the silent message in thebottom of the box. All that day she moved as in a dream. At times she was oppressed bythe terror of discovery, and again it was with a rebellious, deliciousfeeling of certainty that he had not forgotten! He had searched forher--found her! She meant to ignore him if they should meet; certainlyshe must do that! His assurance in daring to--yet--yes, she ratherliked the daring--still----! She remembered some one saying that impertinence gained more favorsfrom women than respect, and he--yes, certainly he was impertinent;she must never recognize him, of course--never! Her cheek burned asshe fancied what he must think of her--a girl who made friends withstrangers in the park! Yet she was glad that since he had not let herforget, he also had been forced to remember. She told herself all this, and much more; the task occupied so much ofher time that she forgot to go asleep that night, and she saw themorning star shine out of the blue haze beyond the city, and itbelonged to a dawn with a meaning entirely its own. Never before orafter was a daybreak so beautiful. The sun wheeled royally into viewthrough the atmosphere of her first veritable love romance. CHAPTER VI. Even the card of Lieutenant McVeigh could not annoy her that morning. He came with some message to the dowager from his mother. At any othertime the sound of his name would have made a discord for her. Theprejudices of Judithe were so decided, and so independent of allaccepted social rules, that the dowager hoped when she did choose ahusband he would prove a diplomat--they would need one in the family. "Madame Blanc, will you receive the gentleman?" she asked. "Maman hasnot yet left her room, and I am engaged. " And for the second time the American made his exit from the Caronestablishment without having seen the woman his friends raved about. Descending the steps he remembered the old saw that a third attemptcarried a charm with it. He smiled, and the smile suggested that therewould be a third attempt. The Marquise looked at the card he left, and her smile had not so muchthat was pleasant in it. "Maman, my conjecture was right, " she remarked as she entered the roomof the dowager; "your fine, manly American was really the youth of myCarolina story. " "Carolina story?" and the dowager looked bewildered for a moment; whenone has reached the age of eighty years the memory fails for thethings of today; only the affairs of long ago retain distinctness. "Exactly; the man for whom Rhoda Larue was educated, and of whom youforbade me to speak--the man who bought her from Matthew Loring, ofLoringwood, Carolina. " "You are certain?" "Here is the name, Kenneth McVeigh. It is not likely there are twoKenneth McVeighs in the same region. How small the world is after all!I used to fancy the width of the ocean was as a barrier between twoworlds, yet it has not prevented these people from crossing, andcoming to our door!" She sank into a seat, the card still in her hand. "Judithe, " said the dowager, after watching her moody face thoughtfully, "my child, I should be happier if you banished, so far as possible, that story from your memory. It will have a tendency to narrow yourviews. You will always have a prejudice against a class for the wrongdone by an individual. Put it aside! It is a question outside of yourlife, outside of it always unless your sympathies persist in draggingyou into such far-away abuses. We have the Paris poor, if you mustthink and do battle for the unfortunate. And as to the American, consider. He must have been very young, perhaps was influenced byolder heads. He may not have realized--" The Marquise smiled, but shook her head. "You are eloquent, Maman, butyou do not convince me. He must be very handsome to have won you socompletely in one interview. For me, I do not believe in his ignoranceof the evil nor in his youthful innocence. I think of the women whofor generations have been the victims of such innocence, and I shouldlike to see your handsome young cadet suffer for his share of it!" "Tah!" and the dowager put out her hand with a gesture of protest anda tone of doubt in her voice. "You say so Judithe, but you could notsee any one suffer, not even the criminal. You would come to hisdefense with some philosophical reason for the sin--some theory ofpre-natal influence to account for his depravity. Collectively youcondemn them; individually you would pardon every one rather than seethem suffer--I mean, than stand by and actually see the suffering. " "I could not pardon that man, " insisted the Marquise; "Ugh! I feel asif for him I could have the hand of Judithe as well as the name. " "And treat him a-la-Holofernes? My child, sometimes I dislike thatname of Judithe for you; I do not want you to have a shadow of thecharacter it suggests. I shall regret the name if it carries such darkinfluences with it. As for the man--forget him!" "With all my heart, if he keeps out of my way, " agreed the Marquise;"but if the old Jewish god of battles ever delivers him into myhands--!" She paused and drew a deep breath. "Well?" "Well--I should show him mercy such as the vaunted law-giver, thechosen of the Lord, the man of meekness, showed to the conqueredMidianites--no more!" and her laugh had less of music in it thanusual. "I instinctively hate the man, Kenneth McVeigh--KennethMcVeigh!--even the name is abhorrent since the day I heard of thatawful barter and sale. It seems strange, Maman, does it not, when Inever saw him in my life--never expected to hear his name again--thatit is to our house he has found his way in Paris; to our house, wherean unknown woman abhors him. Ah!" and she flung the card from her. "You are right, Maman; I am too often conquered by my own moods andfeelings. The American need be nothing to us. " The dowager was pleased when the subject was dropped. She had seen somany battles fought, in theory, by humanitarians who are alive to theinjustice of the world. But her day was over for race questions andcreeds. Judithe was inspiring in her sympathies, but the questionsthat breathe living flame for us at twenty years, have burned intodead ashes at eighty. "Tah! I would rather she would marry and let me see her children, " shegrumbled to Madame Blanc; "if she does not, I trust her to your carewhen I am gone. She is different since we reached Paris--different, gayer, and less of the student. " "But no more in touch with society, " remarked the attentive companion;"she accepts no invitations, and goes only to the galleries andtheatres. " "Um!--pictured people, and artificial people! Both have a tendency tomake her an idealist instead of a realist. " To Dumaresque she made the same remark, and suggested he should helpfind attractions for her in real life. "She is too imaginative, and I do not want her to be of the romanticwomen; the craze for romance in life is what fills the columns of thejournals with new scandals each month. " "Madame Judithe is safe from that sort of romance, " declared hergod-son. "Yet with her face and those glorious eyes one should allowher some flights in the land of the ideal. She suggests all old Italyat times, but she has never mentioned her family to me. " "Because it was a topic which both Alain and I forbade her, when shewas younger, to discuss. Naturally, she has not a joyous temperamentand memories of her childhood can only have an unhappy effect, whichaccounts for our decision of the matter. Her father died before shecould remember him, and the mother, who was of Greek blood, not longafter. A relative who arranged affairs left the daughter penniless. Atthe little chateau Levigne she was of great service to me when she wasbut sixteen. Madam Blanc, who tried to reach me in time, declares thechild saved my life. It was a dog--a mad one. I was on the lawn whenhe broke through the hedge, snapped Alain's mastiff, Ponto, and camestraight for me. I was paralyzed with terror; then, just as he leapedat me, the child swung a heavy chair over her head. Tah! She lookedlike a young tigress. The dog was struck helpless, his back broken. The gardener came and killed him, and Ponto, too, was killed, when heshowed that the bite had given him the poison. Ah, it was terrible, that day. Then I wrote Alain and we decided she should never leave us. I made over to her the income of the little Lavigne estate, thus hereducation was carried on, and when we went to Rome--well, Alain wasnot satisfied until he could do even more for her. " The old lady helped herself to snuff and sighed. Her listener wonderedif, after all, that death-bed marriage had been entirely acceptable tothe mother. Some suggestion of his thought must have come to her, forshe continued: "Not that I disapproved, you must understand. No daughter could bemore devoted. I could not be without her now. But I had a hope--amother's foolish hope--that perhaps it might be a love affair; thatthe marriage would renew his interest in life and thus accomplish whatthe physicians could not do--save him. " "Good old Alain, " said Dumaresque, with real feeling in his tones. "Hedeserved to live and win her. I can imagine no better fortune for aman. " "But it was an empty hope, and a sad wedding, " continued the dowager, with a sigh. "That was, to her, a day of gloom, which to others isthe one day to look forward to through girlhood and backward to fromold age. Oh, yes; it is not so much to be wondered at that she is acreature of moods and ideals outlined on a background of shadow. " The voice of the Marquise sounded through the hall and up the stairs. She was singing, joying as a bird. The eyes of the two met, andDumaresque laughed. "Oh! and what is that but a mood, too?" demanded the dowager; "a moodthat is pleasant, I grant you, and it has lasted longer thanusual--ever since we came to Paris. I enjoy it, but I like to know thereason of things. I guess at it in this case; yet it eludes me. " Dumaresque raised his brows and smiled as one who invites furtherconfidences. But he received instead a keen glance from the old eyes, and a question: "Loris, who is the man?" "What! You ask me?" "There is no other to ask; you know all the men she has met; you arenot a fool, and an artist's eye is trained to observe. " "It has not served me in this case, my god-mother. " "Which means you will not tell. I shall suspect it is yourself if youconspire to keep it from me. " "Pouf! When it is myself I shall be so eager to let it be known thatno one will have time to ask a question. " "That is good, " she said approvingly. "I must rest now. I have talkedso long; but a word, Loris; she likes you, she trusts you, andthat--well, that goes far. " And all the morning her assurance made for him hours of brightness. The stranger of Fontainbleau had drifted into the background, andshould never have real place in their lives. She liked and trusted_him_; and that would go far. He was happy in imagining the happiness that might be, forgetful ofanother lover, one among the poets, who avowed that the happiness ofthe future was the only real happiness of the world. He was pleased that his god-mother had confided to him these littlefacts of family history. He remembered how intensely eager the dowagerhad been for Alain's marriage, years before, that there might be anheir; and he remembered, in part, the cause--her detestation of afemale relative whose son would inherit the Marquisate should a son beborn to her, and Alain die without children. He could see how eagerlythe dowager would have consented to a marriage with even the poorestof poor relations if both the Marquisate and Alain might be saved byit. Poor Alain! He remembered the story of why he had remained single; astory of love forbidden, and of a woman who entered a convent because, in the world, she could not live with her lover, and would not livewith the man whose name she bore. It was an old story; she had diedlong ago, but Alain had remained faithful. It had been the one greatpassion he had known of, outside of a romance, and the finale of itwas that the slight girlish protegee was mistress of his name andfortune, though her heart had never beat the faster for his glance. And the Greek blood doubtless accounted for her readiness of speech indifferent tongues; they were so naturally linguists--the Greeks. Hehad met her first in Rome, and fancied her an Italian. Delaven hadasked if she were not English; and now in the heart of France sheappeared to him entirely Parisian. A chameleon-like wife might have her disadvantages, he thought, as hewalked away after the talk with his god-mother; yet she would not beso apt as others to bore one with sameness. At nineteen she wascharming; at twenty-five she would be magnificent. The streets were alive that morning with patriotic groups discussingthe victory of the French troops at Magenta. The first telegrams wereposted and crowds were gathered about them. Dumaresque passed through them with an unusually preoccupied air. Thena tall man, leaning against a pillar and viewing the crowd, bowed tohim in such a way as to arrest his attention. It was the American, ofthe smiling, half sleepy eyes, and the firm mouth. The combinationappealed to Dumaresque as an artist; also the shape of the head, itwas exceedingly good, strong; even his lounging attitude had the gracesuggestive of strength. He remembered seeing somewhere the head of ayoung lion painted with just those half closed, shadowy eyes. Lieutenant McVeigh was regarding him with something akin to theirwatchfulness, the same slow gaze travelling from the feet to the headas they approached each other; it was deliberate as the measuring ofan adversary, and its finale was a smile. "Glad to see a man, " he remarked. "I have been listening to thejabbering and screeches of the crowd until they seem only manikins. " Dumaresque laughed. "You come by way of England, I believe; do youprefer the various dialects of that land of fog?" "No, I do not; have a cigar?" Dumaresque accepted the offer. McVeighhimself lighted one and continued: "Their stuffiness lacks the picturesque qualities possessed by eventhe poorest of France, and then they bore one with their wranglingsfor six-pences, from Parliament down to peasant. They are always at itin Brittania the gem of the ocean, wrangling over six-pences, andhalf-pennies and candle ends. " "You are finding flaws in the people who call you cousin, " remarkedthe artist. "Yes, I know they do, " said the other, between puffs. "But I can'timagine a real American helping them in their claims for relationship. Our history gives us no cause for such kindly remembrances. " "Unless on the principle that one has a kindly regard for a man afterfighting with him and not coming out second best, " remarkedDumaresque. "I have an errand in the next street; will you come?" McVeigh assented. They stalked along, chattering and enjoying theircigars until they reached a florists, where Dumaresque produced amemorandum and read off a list of blossoms and greenery to bedelivered by a certain date. "An affair for the hospitals to be held in the home of Madame Dulac, wife of General Dulac, " he explained; "it is to be all very novel, abazaar and a ball. Madame is an old friend of my god-mother, thedowager Marquise de Caron, whom you have met. " McVeigh assented and showed interest. "We have almost persuaded Madame Alain, her daughter, to preside overone of the booths. Ah! It will be a place to empty one's pockets; youmust come. " "Not sure about invitations, " confessed McVeigh, frankly. "It is avery exclusive affair, I believe, and a foreigner will be such adistinctive outsider at such gatherings. " "We will undertake to prevent that, " promised Dumaresque, "and in theinterests of charity you will find both dames and demoiselleswonderfully gracious to even a lonely, unattached man. If you danceyou can win your own place. " "Oh, yes; we all dance in our country; some of us poorly, perhaps;still, we dance. " "Good! You must come. I am assisting, after a fashion, in planning thedecorations, and I promise to find you some one who is charming, andwho speaks your language delightfully. " There was some further chat. McVeigh promised he would attend unlesshis mother had made conflicting engagements. Dumaresque informed himit was to be a fancy dress affair; uniforms would be just the thing;and he parted with the American much more pleased with him than in thesalons where they had met heretofore. Kenneth McVeigh sauntered along the avenue, tall, careless, reposeful. His expression was one of content, and he smiled as he silentlyblessed Loris Dumaresque, who had done him excellent service withoutknowing it--had found a method by which he would try the charm of thethird attempt to see the handsome girl who had passed them that day inthe carriage. He entered the hotel late that night. Paris, in an unofficial way, wascelebrating the victory of Magenta by shouting around bon-fires, laughing under banners, forming delegations no one remembered, andmaking addresses no one listened to. Late though it was, Mrs. McVeigh had not retired. From a window shewas looking out on the city, where sleep seemed forgotten, and herbeautiful eyes had a seriousness contrasting strangely with the joyouscelebrations of victory she had been witnessing. "What is it, mother?" he asked, in the soft, mellow tones of theSouth, irresistible in their caressing qualities. The mother put outher hand and clasped his without speaking. "Homesick?" he ventured, trying to see her face as he drew a chaircloser; "longing for that twelve-year-old baby of yours? Evilenacertainly would enjoy the hubbub. " "No, Kenneth, " she said at last: "it is not that. But I have beenwatching the enthusiasm of these people over a victory they havehelped win for Italy's freedom--not their own. We have questions justas vital in our country; some day they must be settled in the sameway; there seems no doubt of it--and then--" "Then we will go out, have our little pass at each other, and comeback and go on hoeing our corn, just as father did in the Mexicancampaign, " he said with an attempt at lightness; but she shook herhead. "Many a soldier left the corn fields who never came back to them. " "Why, mother, what is it, dear? You've been crying, crying here allalone over one war that is nothing to us, and another that may neverhappen; come! come!" He put his arm about her as if she were a childto be petted. Her head sank on his shoulder, though she still lookedaway from him, out into the brilliantly lighted street. "It was not the--the political justice or injustice of the wars, " sheconfessed after a little; "it was not of that I was thinking. But awoman screamed out there on the street. They--the people--had justtold her the returns of the battle, and her son was among thekilled--poor woman! Her only son, Kenneth, and--" "Yes, dear, I understand. " He drew her closer and lifting her headfrom her lap, placed it on his shoulder. She uttered a tremulouslittle sigh of content. And then, with his arms about her, the motherand son looked out on Paris after a victory, each thinking of theirown home, their own capital cities, and their own vague dread ofbattles to be in the future. CHAPTER VII. As morning after morning passed without the arrival of othermysterious boxes of flowers or of significant messages, the Marquisebegan to watch Loris Dumaresque more than was usual with her. He wasthe only one who knew; had he, educated by some spirit of jest, beenthe sender of the blossoms? And inconsistent as it may appear when one remembers her avowed fearof discovery, yet from the moment that suspicion entered her mind thecharm was gone from the blossoms and the days to follow, and she feltfor the first time a resentment towards Monsieur Incognito. Her reason told her this was an inevitable consequence, throughresentment forgetfulness would come. But her heart told her--? Her presence at the charitable fete held by Madame la General at theHotel Dulac was her first response, in a social way to the invitationsof her Parisian acquaintances. A charity one might support without inany way committing oneself to further social plunges. She expected tofeel shy and strange; she expected to be bored. But since Maman wishedit so much--! There is nothing so likely to banish shyness as success. The youngMarquise could not but be conscious that she attracted attention, and that the most popular women of the court who had been pleased toshow their patronage by attendance, did not in the least eclipseher own less pretentious self. People besieged Madame Dulac forintroductions, and to her own surprise the debutante found herselfenjoying all the gay nothings, the jests, the bright sentencestossed about her and forming a foundation for compliments delicatelyveiled, and the flattering by word or glance that was as the breathof life to those people of the world. She was dressed in white of medieval cut. Heavy white silk cord wasknotted about the slender waist and touched the embroidered hem. Thesquare neck had also the simple finish of cord and above it was theone bit of color; a flat necklace of etruscan gold fitted closelyabout the white throat, holding alternate rubies and pearls in theircuriously wrought settings. On one arm was a bracelet of the samedesign; and the linked fillet above her dark hair gleamed, also, withthe red of rubies. It was the age of tarletan and tinsel, of delicate zephyrs andextremes in butterfly effects. Hoop-skirts were persisted in, despitethe protests of art and reason; so, the serenity of this dress, fitting close as a habit, and falling in soft straight folds with asculpturesque effect, and with the brown-eyed Italian face above it, created a sensation. Dumaresque watched her graciously accepting homage as a matter ofcourse, and smiled, thinking of his prophecy that she would bemagnificent at twenty-five;--she was so already. Some women near him commented on the simplicity of her attire. "Oh, that is without doubt the taste of the dowager; failing toinfluence the politics of the country she consoled herself with anattempt to make a revolution in the fashions of the age. " "And is this sensation to illustrate her ideas?" asked another. "Shehas rather a good manner--the girl--but the dress is a trifletheatrical, suggestive of the pages of tragedies and martyredvirgins. " "Suggestive of the girl Cleopatra before she realized her power, "thought the artist as he passed on. He knew that just those littleremarks stamped her success a certainty, and was pleased accordingly. The dowager had expressed her opinion that Judithe would bury herselfin studies if left to herself, perhaps even go back to the convent. Hefancied a few such hours of adulation as this would change the ideasof any girl of nineteen as to the desirability of convents. He noticed that the floral bower over which she presided had littleleft now but the ferns and green things; she had been adding money tothe hospital fund. Once he noticed the blossoms left in charge of heraides while she entered the hall room on the arm of the mostdistinguished official present, and later, on that of one of thedowager's oldest friends. She talked with, and sold roses to theyounger courtiers at exorbitant prices, but it was only the men ofyears and honors whom she walked beside. Madame Dulac and Dumaresque exchanged glances of approval; as apossible general in the social field of the future, she had commencedwith the tactics of absolute genius. Dumaresque wondered if sherealized her own cleverness, or if it was because she honestly likedbest to talk or listen to the men of years, experience, and undoubtedhonors. Mrs. McVeigh was there, radiant as Aurore and with eyes so bright onewould not fancy them bathed in tears so lately, or the smooth brow ascontaining a single anxious motherly thought. But the Marquise havingheard that story of the son, wondered as she looked at her if thehandsome mother had not many an anxious thought the world neversuspected. She was laughing frankly to the Marquise over the future just read inher palm by a picturesque Egyptian, who was one of the novelties addedto Madame Dulac's list for the night. Nothing less than an adoring husband had been promised her, and withthe exception of a few shadowed years, not a cloud larger than thehand of a man was to cross the sky of her destiny. "I am wishing Kenneth had come--my son, you know. Something hasdetained him. I certainly would have liked him to hear that promise ofa step-father. Our Southern men are not devoid of jealousy--even oftheir mothers. " Then she passed on, a glory of azure and silver, and the Marquise felta sense of satisfaction that the son had not come; the prejudice shefelt against that unabashed American would make his presence the oneblack cloud across the evening. While she was thinking of him the party about her separated, and shetook advantage of a moment alone to slip the alcove back of theevergreens. It seemed the one nook unappropriated by the glitteringmasses of people whose voices, near and far, suggested the murmur ofbees to her as she viewed it from her shadowy retreat, while coveredfrom sight herself. The moonlight was shining through the window of the little alcovescreened by the tall palms. The music of a tender waltz movementdrifted softly across to her and made perfect her little retreat. Shewas conscious that it had all been wonderfully and unexpectedlyperfect; the success, the adulation, had given her a new definitefaith in herself. How Maman would have enjoyed it. Maman, who wouldwant every little detail of the pleasant things said and done. Shewondered if it was yet too early to depart, she might reach homebefore the dowager slept, and tell her all the glories of it. So thinking, she turned to enter again the glare of light to findMadame Dulac, or Madame Blanc, who had accompanied her, to tell them. But another hand pushed aside the curtain of silk and the droopingfronds of gigantic fern. Looking up she saw a tall, young man, wearinga dark blue uniform, who bowed with grace, and stood aside that shemight pass if she chose. He showed no recognition, and there was thepause of an instant. She could feel the color leave her face. Then, with an effort, she raised her eyes, and tried to speak carelessly, but the voice was little more than a whisper, in which she said: "You!" His face brightened and grew warm. The tone itself told more than sheknew; a man would be stupid who could not read it, and this one, though youthful, did not look stupid. "Madame Unknown, " he murmured, in the voice she had not been able toforget, "I am not so lost here as at Fontainbleau. May I ask some oneto present me to your notice?" At that she smiled, and the smile was contagious. "You may not, " she replied frankly, recovering herself, and assuming atone of lightness to conquer the fluttering in her throat. "The listof names I have had to remember this evening is most formidable, another one would make the last feather here, " and she tapped herforehead significantly. "I was just about to flee from it all when--" She hesitated and looked about her in an uncertain way. He at onceplaced a chair for her. She allowed her hand to rest on the back of itas if undecided. "You will not be so unkind?" he said; and his words held a plea. Sheanswered it by seating herself. "Well?" At the interrogation he smiled. "Will you not allow me, Madame, to introduce myself?" "But, Monsieur Incognito, consider; I have remembered you best becauseyou have not done so; it was a novelty. But all those people whosenames were spoken to me this evening--pouf!" and she blew a featheryspray of fern from her palms, "they have all drifted into oblivionlike that. Do you wish, then, to be presented and--to follow them?" "I refuse to follow them there--from you. " His tones were so low, so even, so ardent, that she looked startledand drew her breath quickly. "You are bold, Monsieur, " and though she strove to speak haughtily shewas too much of a girl to be severe when her eyes met his. "Why not?" he asked, growing bolder as she grew more timid. "You grantme one moment out of your life; then you mean to close the gatesagainst me--if you can. In that brief time I must condense all thatanother man should take months to say to you. I have been speaking toyou daily, however, for six weeks and--" "Monsieur! Six weeks?" "Every day, " he assented, smiling down at her. "Of course you did nothear me. I was very confidential about it. I even tried to stop itentirely when I was allowed to believe that Mademoiselle was Madame. " "But it is quite true--she is Madame. " "Certainly; yet you let me think--well, I forgive you for it now, since I have found you again. " "Monsieur!"--she half arose. "Will Mademoiselle have her fortune told?" asked a voice beside them, and the beringed Egyptian pushed aside the palms, "or Monsieur, perhaps?" "Both of us, " he assented with eagerness; "that is, if Mademoisellechooses. " He dropped two pieces of gold in the beaded purse held out. "Come, " he half whispered to the Marquise, "let me see if oblivion isreally the doom fate reads against me. " She half put out her hand, thinking that after all it was only a partof the games of the night--the little amusements with which purseswere filled for charity; then some sudden after thought made her drawit back. "You fear the decision?" he asked. She did not fear the decision he meant, but she did fear-- "No, Monsieur, I am not afraid. Oh, yes; she may read my palm, it isall a jest, of course. " The Egyptian held the man's hand at which she had not yet glanced. Shetook the hand of the Marquise. "Pardon, Madame, it is no jest, it is a science, " she said briefly, and holding their hands, glanced from one to the other. "Firm hands, strong hands, both, " she said, and then bent over that ofthe Marquise; as she did so the expression of casual interest fadedfrom her face; she slowly lifted her head and met the gaze of theowner. "Well, well? Am I to commit murders?" she asked; but her smile was anuneasy one; the gaze of the Egyptian made her shrink. "Not with your own hand, " said the woman, slowly studying thewell-marked palm; "but you will live for awhile surrounded by deathand danger. You will hate, and suffer for the hate you feel. You willlove, and die for the love you will not take--you--" But the Marquise drew her hand away petulantly. "Oh! I am to die of love, then?--I!" and her light laugh wasdisdainful. "That is quite enough of the fates for one evening;" sheregarded the pink palm doubtfully. "See, Monsieur, it does not look soterrible; yet it contains all those horrors. " "Naturally it would not contain them, " said the Egyptian. "You willforce yourself to meet what you call the horrors. You will sacrificeyourself. You will meet the worst as the women of '93 ascended theguillotine--laughing. " "Ah, what pictures! Monsieur, I wish you a better fortune. " "Than to die of love?" he asked, and met her eyes; "that were easierthan to live without it. " "Chut!--you speak like the cavalier of a romance. " "I feel like one, " he confessed, "and it rests on your mercy whetherthe romance has a happy ending. " She flashed one admonishing glance at him and towards the woman whobent over his hand. "Oh, she does not comprehend the English, " he assured her; "and if shedoes she will only hear the echo of what she reads in my hand. " "Proceed, " said the Marquise to the Egyptian, "we wait to hear thelist of Monsieur's romances. " "You will live by the sword, but not die by the sword, " said thewoman. "You will have one great passion in your life. Twice the womanwill come in your path. The first time you will cross the seas to her, the second time she comes to you--and--ah!--" She reached again for the hand of the Marquise and compared them. Thetwo young people looked, not at her, but at each other. In the eyes of the Marquise was a certain petulant rebellion, and inhis the appealing, the assuring, the ardent gaze that met and answeredher. "It is peculiar--this, " continued the woman. "I have never seenanything like it before; the same mark, the same, Mademoiselle, Monsieur; you will each know tragedies in your experience, and thelives are linked together. " "No!"--and again the Marquise drew her hand away. "It is no longeramusing, " she remarked in English, "when those people think it theirduty to pair couples off like animals in the ark. " Her face had flushed, though she tried to look indifferent. TheEgyptian had stepped back and was regarding her curiously. "Do not cross the seas, Mademoiselle; all of content will be leftbehind you. " "Wait, " and the Monsieur Incognito put out his hand. "You call thelady 'Mademoiselle, ' but your guess has not been good;" and he pointedto a plain ring on the hand of the Marquise. "I call her Mademoiselle because she never has been a wife, and--shenever will be a wife. There are marriages without wedding rings, andthere are wedding rings without marriages; pardon!--" and passingbetween the ferns and palms she was gone. "That is true!" half whispered the Marquise, looking up at him; "herwords almost frighten me. " "They need not, " and the caress in his eyes made her drop her own;"all your world of Paris knows the romance of your marriage. You aremore of a celebrity than you may imagine; my knowledge of that mademe fear to approach you here. " "The fear did not last long, " and she laughed, the coquetry of the sexagain uppermost. "For how many seconds did you tremble on thethreshold?" "Long enough to avoid any friends who had planned to present me. " "And why?" "Lest it might offend to have the person thrust on you whom you wouldnot know among less ceremonious surroundings. " "Yet you came alone?" "I could not help that, I _had_ to see you, even though you refused torecognize me; I had to see you. Did I not prophecy there in the woodthat we should meet again? Even the flowers you gave me I--" "Monsieur, no more!" and she rose from the chair with a certaindecision. "It was a thoughtless, childish farce played there atFontainbleau. But--it is over. I--I have felt humiliated by thatepisode, Monsieur. Young ladies in France do not converse withstrangers. Pray go back to England and forget that you found one soindiscreet--oh! I know what you would say, Monsieur, " as he was aboutto speak. "I know many of these ladies of the court would only laughover such an episode--it would be but a part of their amusements forthe day; but I, I do not belong to the court or their fashions. I amonly ashamed, and ask that you forget it. I would not want any one tothink--I mean that I--" She had commenced so bravely with her wise, firm little speech, but atthe finale she wavered and broke down miserably. "Don't!"--he broke in as a tear fell on the fan she held; "you makeme feel like a brute who has persecuted you; don't cry. Come here tothe window; listen to me. I--I loved you that first day; you justlooked at me, spoke to me and it was all over with me. I can't undoit. I can go away, and I _will_, rather than make you unhappy; but Ican't forget you. I have never forgotten you for an hour. That waswhy. Oh, I know it is the wildest, maddest, most unpardonable thing Iam saying to you. Your friends would want to call me out and shoot mefor it, and I shall be happy to give them the chance, " he added, grimly. "But don't, for Heaven's sake, think that my memory of youwould be less than respectful. Why, I--I adore you. I am telling it toyou like a fool, but I only ask you to not laugh until I am out ofhearing. I--will go now--and do not even ask your forgiveness, because--well I can't honestly say I am sorry. " Sorry! She thought of those days when she had wakened to a new worldbecause his eyes and his voice haunted her; she heard him acknowledgethe same power, and he spoke of forgiveness as though convicted of afault. Well, she had not been able to prevent the same fault, so, howdared she blame him? He need not know, of course, how well she hadremembered; yet she might surely be a little kind for all that. "Monsieur Incognito!" Her voice had an imperious tone; she remembered she must not be tookind. He was already among the palms, in the full light of the salon, and he was boy enough for all the color to leave his face as he heardthe low command. She had heard him declare his devotion, yet she hadrecalled him. "Madame, " he said, and stood stubbornly the width of the alcove fromher, though he was conscious of all tender words rushing to his lips. She was so adorable; a woman in mentality, but the veriest girl as tothe emotions his words had awakened. "Monsieur, " she said, without looking at him, "I do not truly believeyou meant to offend me; therefore I have nothing to forgive. " "You angel!" he half whispered, but she heard him. "No, I am not that, " and she flashed a quick glance at him, "only Ithink I comprehend you, and to comprehend is to forgive, is it not?I--I cannot listen to the--affection you speak of. Love and marriageare not for me. Did not the Egyptian say it? Yes; that was quite true. But I can shake hands in good-bye, Monsieur Incognito. Your Englishpeople always do that, eh? Well, so will I. " She held out her hand; he took it in both his own and his lips touchedit. "No! no!" she said softly, and shook her head; "that is not an Englishcustom. " He lifted his head and looked at her. "Why do you call me English?" he asked, and she smiled, glad to breakthat tenseness of feeling by some commonplace. "It was very simple, Monsieur; first it was the make of your hat, I read the name of the maker in the crown that day in the park;then you spoke English; you said you had just arrived from England;and the English are so certain to get lost unless they go ingroups--therefore!" She had enumerated all those reasons on her white fingers. She glancedat him, with an adorable smile as a finale, so confident she hadproven her case. "And you French have no fondness for the English people, " he saidslowly, looking at her. "I wear an American uniform tonight; suppose Iam an American? I am tempted to disobey and tell you who I am, inhopes you will not send me into exile quite so soon. " "No, no, _no_!" she breathed hurriedly. "You must go; and you mustremain Monsieur Incognito; thus it will be only a comedy, a morsel ofromance. But if I knew you well--ah! I do not know what it would bethen. I am afraid to think. Yes, I confess it, Monsieur, you make meafraid. I tell myself you are a foreign ogre, yet when you speak tome--ah!" She put out her hands as he came close. But he knelt at her feet, kissing her hands, her wrists, the folds of her dress, then lifted hisface glowing, ardent, to her own. "I shall make you love me some day, " he whispered; "not now, perhaps, but some day. " She stared at him without a word. She had received proposals ofmarriage, dignified, ceremonious affairs submitted to her by thedowager, but from this stranger came the first avowal of love she hadever listened to. A stranger; yet he held her hand; she felt herselfdrawn towards him by a force she could not combat. Her other arm wasover the back of a chair, slowly she lifted it, then he felt her handtouch his hair and the touch was a caress. "My queen!" "Co--now, " she said so lowly. It was almost a whisper. He arose, pressed her hand to his lips and turned away, when a woman's voicespoke among the palms: "Did you say in this corner, Madame? I have not found him; Kenneth!" "It is my mother, " he said softly, and was about to draw back thealcove draperies when the Marquise took a step towards him, staringstrangely into his face. "_Your Mother!_" and her tones expressed only doubt and dread. "No, no! Why, I--I know the voice; it is Madame McVeigh; she calledKenneth, her son--" He smiled an affirmative. "Yes; you will forgive me for having my name spoken to you after all?But there seems to be no help for it. So you see I am not Englishdespite the hat, and my name is Kenneth McVeigh. " His smile changed to quick concern as he noticed the strange look onher face, and the swaying movement towards the chair. He put out hishand, but she threw herself back from him with a shuddering movementof repulsion. And a moment later the palms parted beside Mrs. McVeigh, and she wasstartled at sight of her son's face. "Kenneth! Why, what is wrong?" "A lady has fainted there in the alcove, " he said, in a voice whichsounded strange to her; "will you go to her?" "Fainted? Why, Kenneth!--" "Yes; I think it is the Marquise de Caron. " CHAPTER VIII. The dowager was delighted to find that the one evening of completesocial success had changed her daughter-in-law into a woman ofsociety. It had modified her prejudices. She accepted invitationswithout her former protests, and was only careful that the people whomshe visited should be of the most distinguished. Dumaresque watched her with interest. There seemed much of deliberationback of every move she made. The men of mark were the only ones towhom she gave encouragement, and she found several so responsivethat there was no doubt, now, as to whether she was awake to her ownpower--more, she had a mind to use it. She was spoken of as one of thebeauties of the day. The McVeighs had gone to Italy, the mother to visit a relative, theson to view the late battle fields on the other side of the Pyreneesand acquaint himself with military matters wherever he found them. He had called on the Marquise the day following the fete at the HotelDulac. She had quite recovered her slight indisposition of thepreceding evening, and there had been no hesitation about receivinghim. She was alone, and she met him with the fine, cool, graciousmanner reserved for the people who were of no importance in her life. Looking at her, listening to her, he could scarcely believe this couldbe the girl who had provoked him into a declaration of love less thana day ago, and in whose eyes he had surprised a fervor responding tohis own. She called him Lieutenant McVeigh, with an utter disregard ofthe fact that she had ever called him anything else. When in sheer desperation he referred to their first meeting, shelistened with a chill little smile. "Yes, " she agreed; "Fontainbleau was beautiful in the spring time. Maman was especially fond of it. She, herself, had been telling afriend lately of the very unconventional meeting under the bushes ofthe Mademoiselle and Monsieur Incognito, and he--the friend--hadthought it delightfully amusing, good enough for the thread of acomedy. " Then she sent some kindly message to Mrs. McVeigh, but refused to seethe wonder--the actual pain--in the eyes where before she hadremembered those half slumberous smiles, or that brief space ofpassionate pleading. He interrupted some cool remark by rising. "It is scarcely worth while--all this, " he said, abruptly. "Had youclosed your doors against me after last night I should haveunderstood--I should have gone away adoring you just the same. But toopen them, to receive me, and then--" His voice trembled in spite of himself. All at once he appeared somuch more boyish than ever before--so helpless in a sort of misery hecould not account for, she turned away her head. "With the ocean between us my love could not have hurt you. You mighthave let me keep that. " He had recovered control of his voice and hiseyes swept over her from head to foot like blue lightning. "I bid yougood-day, Madame. " She made an inclination of the head, but did not speak. She hadreached the limit of her self control. His words, "_You might have letme keep that_, " were an accusation she dared not discuss. When the door closed behind him she could see nothing, for the blur oftears in her eyes. Madame La Marquise received no other callers thatday. In the days following she compared him with the courtiers, thediplomats, the very clever men whom she met, and told herself he wasonly a boy--a cadet of twenty-two. Why should she remember his words, or forget for one instant that infamy with which his name wasconnected? "He goes on his knees to me only because he has grown weary of theslave-women of the plantations, " she told herself in deepest disgust. Sometimes she would look curiously at the hands once covered by hiskisses. And once she threw a withered bunch of forget-me-nots from herwindow, at night, and crept down at daybreak next morning and foundit, and took it back to her room. It looked as though the boy was holding his own despite thediplomats. When she saw him again it was at an auction of articles donated for acharity under the patronage of the Empress, and open to the public. Cotton stuffs justled my lady's satins, and the half-world stared atshort range into the faces whose owners claimed coronets. Many leading artists had donated sketches of their more pretentiouswork. It was to that department the Marquise made her way, andentering the gallery by a side door, found that the crowd hadseparated her from the Countess Biron and the rest of their party. Knowing that sooner or later they would find her there, she halted, examining some choice bits of color near the door. A daintily dressedwoman, who looked strangely familiar, was standing near withapparently the same intent. But she stood so still; and the poise ofher head betrayed that she was listening to something. The somethingwas a group of men back of them, where the black and white sketcheswere on exhibition. The corridor was not wide, and their conversationwas in English and not difficult to understand if one gave attention. The Marquise noted that Dumaresque was among them, and they stoodbefore his donation of sketches, of which the principal one was alittle study of the octoroon dancer, Kora. Then in a flash she understood who the person was who listened. Shewas the original of the picture, drawn there no doubt by a sort ofvanity to hear the artistic praise, or personal comment. But a swiftglance showed her it had been a mistake; the dark brows were frowning, the full lip was bitten nervously, and the small ungloved hand wasclenched. The men were laughing carelessly over some argument, not noticingthat they had a listener; the people moving along the corridor, singleand in groups, hid the two who remained stationary, and whose backswere towards them. It was most embarrassing, and the Marquise wasabout to move away when she heard a voice there was no mistaking--thevoice she had not been able to forget. "No, I don't agree with you;" he was saying, "and you would not findhalf so much to admire in the work if the subject were some oldplantation mammy equally well painted. Come over and see them wherethey grow. After that you will not be making celebrities of them. " "If they grow many like that I am most willing, Monsieur. " "I, too. When do we start? I can fancy no land so well worth a visitbut that of Mohammed. " The first speaker uttered an exclamation of annoyance, but the otherslaughed. "Oh, we have seen other men of your land here, " remarked Dumaresque. "They are not all so discreet as yourself. We have learned that theydo not usually build high walls between themselves and prettyslaves. " "You are right, " agreed the American. "Sorry I can't contradict you. But these gorgeous Koras and Phrynes remind me of a wild blossom inour country; it is exquisite in form, beautiful to the eye, but poisonif touched to the lips. It is called the yellow jasmine. " "No doubt you are right, " remarked one of the men as Kora dropped herveil over her face. "You are at all events poetical. " "And the reason of their depravity?" "The fact that they are the outgrowth of the worst passions of bothraces--at least so I have heard it said by men who make more of astudy of such questions than I. " A party of people moved between the two women and the speakers. TheMarquise heard Kora draw a sobbing breath. She hesitated an instant, her own eyes flashing, her cheeks burning. _He_ to sit in judgment onothers--he! Then she laid her hand on the wrist of Kora. "Come with me, " she said, softly, in English, and the girl with oneglance of tear-wet eyes, obeyed. The Marquise opened the door beside her, a few steps further andanother door led into an ante-room belonging to a portion of thebuilding closed for repairs. "Why do you weep?" she asked briefly, but the kindly clasp of herwrist told that the questioner was not without sympathy, and the girlstrove to compose herself while staring at the other in amazement. "You--I have seen you--I remember you, " she said, wonderingly, "theMarquise de Caron!" "Yes;" the face of the Marquise flushed, "and you are the dancer--Kora. Why did you weep at their words?" "Since you know who I am, Madame, I need not hesitate to tell you more, "she said, though she did hesitate, and looked up, deprecatingly, tothe Marquise, who stood a few paces away leaning against the window. There was only one chair in the room. Kora perceived for the firsttime that it had been given to her while the Marquise stood. She aroseto her feet, and with a deference that lent a subtile grace to herexpression, offered it to her questioner. "No; resume your seat;" the command was a trifle imperious, but it wassoftened the next instant by the smile with which she said: "A dearold lady taught me that to the burdened horse we should always givethe right of way. We must make easier the way of those who bearsorrows. You have the sorrow today--what is it?" "I am not sure that you will understand, Madame, " and the girl'svelvety black eyes lifted and then sought the floor again. "But you, perhaps, heard what they said out there, and the man I--I--well, hewas there. " The lips of the Marquise grew a trifle rigid, but Kora was too muchengaged with her own emotion to perceive it. "I suppose I shouldn't speak of him to a--a lady who can't understandpeople who live in a different sort of world. But you mean to be kind, and I suppose have some reason for asking?" and she glanced at thelady in the window. "So--" The Marquise looked at her carefully; yes, the girl was undeniablyhandsome; a medium sized, well-turned figure, small hands and feet, graceful in movement, velvety oriental eyes, and the deep creamcomplexion over which the artists had raved. She had the manner of onewell trained, but was strangely diffident before this lady of theother world. The Marquise drew a deep breath as she realized howattractive she could be to a man who cared. "You are a fool, " she said, harshly, "to care for a man who speaks soof your people. " "Oh, Madame!" and the graceful form drooped helplessly. "I knew youcould never understand. But if folks only loved where it was wise tolove, all the trouble of the world would be ended. " The hand of the Marquise went to her throat for an instant. "And then it is true, all they said there, " continued Kora; "that iswhy--why I had let you see me cry; what he said is true--and I--Ibelong in his country where the yellow jasmine grows. There are timeswhen I never stop to think--weeks when I am satisfied that I havemoney and a fine apartment. Then, all at once, in a minute like this, I see that it does not weigh down the one drop of black blood in myhand there. Sometimes I would sell my soul to wipe it out, and Ican't! I can't!" Her emotions were again overwhelming her. The Marquise watched herclench the shapely hands with their tapering fingers and many rings, the pretty graceful bit of human furniture in an establishment forsuch as _he_! "An oriental prince was entertained by the Empress last week, " sheremarked, abruptly. "His mother was a black woman, yours was not. " "I know; I try to understand it--all the difference that is made. Ican't do it; I have not the brain. I can only"--and she smiledbitterly--"only learn to dance a little, and you don't need brain forthat. My God! How can they expect us to have brain when our mothersand grandmothers had to live under laws forbidding a slave to disputeany command of a white man? Madame, ladies like you--ladies ofFrance--could not understand. I could not tell you. Sometimes I thinkmoney is all that can help you in this world. But even money can'tkill the poison he spoke of. We might be free for generations but thecurse would stay on us, because away back in the past our people hadbeen slaves. " "So have the ancestors of those men you listened to, " said theMarquise, and the girl looked at her wonderingly. "_They!_ Why, Madame!" "It is quite true. Everyone of them is the descendant of slaves of thepast. Every ancient race was at some time the slaves of some strongernation. Many of the masters of today are the descendants of people whowere bought and sold with the land for hundreds of years. Think ofthat when they taunt you with slavery!" "Oh! Madame!" "And remember that every king and queen of Egypt for centuries, everyone told of in their bibles and histories, would look black beside thewoman who was your mother! Chut! do not look so startled! TheCaucassian of today is now believed by men of science to be only ableached negro. To be sure, it has taken thousands of years, and theice-fields and cave dwellings of the North to do the bleaching. Butman came originally from the Orient, the very womb of the earth fromwhich only creatures of color come forth. " "You!--a white lady! a noble! say this to comfort me; why?" asked thegirl. She had risen again and stood back of the chair. She looked halffrightened. "I say it because, if you study such questions earnestly, you willperceive how the opinion of those self-crowned judges will dwindle;they will no longer loom above you because of your race. My child, youare as royal as they by nature. It is the cultivation, the training, the intellect built up through generations, by which they are yoursuperiors today. If your own life is commendable you need not beashamed because of your race. " Kora turned her head away, fingering the rings on her pretty hands. "You--it is no use trying to make a lady like you understand, " shemuttered, "but you know who I am, and it is too late now!" She attempted to speak with the nonchalance customary to her, but theentire interview, added to the conversation in the corridor, hadtouched depths seldom stirred, and never before appealed to by awoman. What other woman would have dared question her like that? Andit was not that she had been awed by the rank and majesty in whichthis Marquise moved; she, Kora--who had laughed in the face of aPrincess whose betrothed was seen in Kora's carriage! No; it was notthe rank, it was the gentle, yet slightly imperious womanliness, backof which could be felt a fund of sympathy new and strange to her; itappealed to her as the reasoning of a man would appeal; and man wasthe only compelling force hitherto acknowledged by Kora. The Marquise looked at her thoughtfully, but did not speak. She wastoo much of a girl herself to understand entirely the nature beforeher or its temptations. They looked, really, about the same age, yetfor all the mentality of the Marquise, she knew Kora was right--theworld of emotions that was an open book to the bewitching octoroon wasan unknown world to her. "The things I do not understand I will not presume to judge, " shesaid, at last, very gently; "but is there no one anywhere in thisworld whose affection for you would be strong enough to help you liveaway from these people who speak of you as those men spoke, yet whoare themselves accountable for the faults over which they laughtogether. " "Oh, what you have said has turned me against that Trouvelot--thatdandy!" she said, with a certain vehemence. "He is only a Count ofyesterday, after all; I'll remember that! Still; it is all the habitof life, Madame, and I never knew any other. Look here; when I wastwelve I was told by an old woman to be careful of my hands, of mygood looks every way, for if I was handsome as my mother, I wouldnever need to do housework; that was the beginning! Well!" and shesmiled bitterly, "I have not had to do it, but it was through noplanning of theirs. " "And your mother?" "Dead; and my father, too. He was her master. " "It is that spendthrift--Trouvelot, you care for?" "Not this minute, " confessed the girl; "but, " and she shrugged hershoulders, "I probably shall tomorrow! I know myself well enough forthat; and I won't lie--to you! You saw how he could make me cry? It isonly the man we care for who can hurt us. " The Marquise did not reply; she was staring out of the window. Kora, watching her, did not know if she heard. She had heard and was angrywith herself that her heart grew lighter when she heard the name ofKora's lover. "I--I will not intrude longer, Madame, " said the girl at last. "Whatyou've said will make me think more. I never heard of what you've toldme today. I wish there were women in America like you; oh, I wishthere were! There are good white ladies there, of course, but theydon't teach the slaves to think; they only tell them to have faith!They teach them from their bible; and all I could ever remember of itwas: 'Servants, obey your masters;' and I hated it. So you see, Madame, it is too late for me; I don't know any other life; I--" "I will help you to a different life whenever you are willing to leaveParis, " said the Marquise. "You would do that, Madame?" Kora dropped into the chair again, covering her face with her hands. After a little she looked up, and the cunning of her class was in hereyes. "Is it to separate me from _him_?" she asked, bluntly. "I know theywant him to marry; are you a friend of his family?" The Marquise smiled at that. "I really do not know if he has a family, " she replied. "I aminterested because it seems so pitiful that a girl should never havehad a chance to live commendably. It is not too late. In your owncountry a person of your intelligence and education should be able todo much good among the children of the free colored people. You wouldbe esteemed. You--" "Esteemed!" Kora smiled skeptically, thinking no doubt of thehalf-world circle over which she was a power in her adopted city; she, who had only to show herself in the spectacle to make more money thana year's earnings in American school teaching. She knew she could notreally dance, but she did pose in a manner rather good; and then, herbeauty! "I was a fool when I came here--to Paris, " she said woefully. "Ithought everybody would know I was colored, so I told. But they wouldnot know, " and she held out her hand, looking at the white wrist, "Icould have said I was a West Indian, a Brazilian, or a SpanishCreole--as many others do. But it is all too late. America was neverkind to my people, or me. You mean to be kind, Madame; but you don'tknow colored folks. They would be the first to resent my educationaladvantages; not that I know much; books were hard work for me, andParis was the only one I could learn to read easy. As for America, Iown up, I'm afraid of America. " The Marquise thought she knew why, but only said: "If you change your mind you can let me know. I have a property in NewOrleans. Some day I may go there. I could protect you if you wouldhelp protect yourself. " She looked at the lovely octoroon withmeaning, and the black velvety eyes fell under that regard. "You can always learn where I am in Paris, and if you should changeyour mind--" At the door she paused and said kindly: "My poor girl, ifyou remain here he will break your heart. " "They usually do when a woman loves them, Madame, " replied Kora, witha sad little smile; she had learned so much in the book of Paris. The friends of the Marquise were searching for her when she emergedfrom the ante-room. The Countess Biron confessed herself in despair. "In such a mixed assembly! and all alone! How was one to know whatpeople you might meet, or what adventures. " "Oh, I am not adventurous, Countess, " was the smiling reply; "and letme whisper: I have been talking all of the time with one person, onevery pretty person, and it has been an instructive half hour. " "Pretty? Well, that is assurance as to sex, " remarked Madame Choudey, with a glance towards one of the others of the party. "And if you will watch that door you will be enlightened as to theindividual, " said the Marquise. Three pair of eyes turned with alertness to the door. At that momentit opened, and Kora appeared. The lace veil no longer hid herbeautiful eyes--all the more lovely for that swift bath of tears. Shesaw the Marquise and her friends, but passed as if she had never seenone of them before; Kora had her own code. "Are you serious, Judithe de Caron?" gasped the Countess Helene. "Wereyou actually--conversing--with that--demi-mondaine?" "My dear Marquise!" purred Madame Choudey, "when she does not even_pretend_ to be respectable!" "It is because she does not pretend that I spoke with her. Honestyshould receive some notice. " "Honesty! Good heavens!" cried Madame Ampere, who had not yet spoken, but who expressed horror by her eyes, "where then do you find yourstandards for such judgment?" "Now, listen!" and the Marquise turned to the three with a quizzicalsmile, "if Kora lived exactly the same life morally, but was a rulerof the fashionable world, instead of the other one; if she wore acrown of state instead of the tinsel of the varieties, you would notexclaim if she addressed me. " "Oh, I must protest, Marquise, " began Madame Ampere in shockedremonstrance, but the Marquise smiled and stopped her. "Yesterday, " she said slowly, "I saw you in conversation with a manwho has the panels of his carriage emblazoned with the Hydrangea--alsocalled the Hortensia. " The shocked lady looked uncomfortable. "What then? since it was the Emperor's brother. " "Exactly; the brother of the Emperor, and both of them the sons of amother beside whom beautiful Kora is a thing of chastity. " "The children could not help the fact that they were all half-brothers, "laughed the Countess Helene. "But this so-called Duke could help parading the doubtful honor of hisdescent; yet who fails to return his bow? And I have yet to learn thathis mother was ignored by the ladies of her day. Those Hortensias onhis carriage are horrible to me; they are an attempt to exalt in aqueen the immorality condemned in a subject. " "Ah! You make my head swim with your theories, " confessed theCountess. "How do you find time to study them all?" "They require no study; one meets them daily in the street or court. The difficulty is to cease thinking of them--to enjoy a careless lifewhen justice is always calling somewhere for help. " "I refuse to be annoyed by the calls, yet am comfortable, " said MadameChoudey. "The people who imagine they hear justice calling have had, too often, to follow the calls into exile. " "That is true, " agreed her friend; "take care Marquise! Your theoriesare very interesting, but, truly, you are a revolutionist. " Their little battle of words did not prevent them parting with smilesand all pleasantry. But the Countess Biron, to whose house theMarquise was going, grimaced and looked at her with a smile of doubtwhen they were alone. "Do you realize how daring you are Judithe?--to succeed socially youshould not appeal to the brains of people, but to their vanities. " "Farewell, my social ambitions!" laughed the Marquise. "Dear Countess, pray do not scold! I could not help it. Why must the very respectableworld see only the sins of the unfortunate, and save all their charityfor the heads with coronets? Maman is not like that; she is alwaysgentle with the people who have never been taught goodness; though sheis severe on those who disgrace good training. I like her way best;and Alain? Well, he only told me to do my own thinking, to be sure Iwas right before I spoke, and to let no other consideration weigh atall. " "Yes! and he died in exile because he let no worldly considerationweigh, " said the Countess Helene grimly. CHAPTER IX. At the entrance to the gallery the Marquise saw Dumaresque on thestep, and with him Kenneth McVeigh. She entered the carriage, hopingthe Countess would not perceive them; but the hope was in vain, shedid, and she motioned them both to her to learn if Mrs. McVeigh hadalso unexpectedly returned. She had not. Italy was yet attractive to her, and the Lieutenant hadcome alone. He was to await her arrival, whenever she chose, and thentheir holiday would be over. When they left Paris again it would befor America. He smiled in the same lazy, yet deferential way, as the Countesschatted and questioned him. He confessed he did not remember why hehad returned; at least he could not tell in a crowd, or with cynicalDumaresque listening to him. "Invite him home, and he will vow it was to see you, " said theartist. "I mean to, " she retorted; "but do not judge all men by yourself, Monsieur Loris, for I suspect Lieutenant McVeigh has a conscience. " "I have, " he acknowledged, "too much of one to take advantage of yourinvitation. Some day, when you are not tired from the crowds, I shallcome, if you will allow me. " "No, no; come now!" insisted the Countess, impulsively; "you will restme; I assure you it is true! We have been with women--women allmorning! So take pity on us. We want to hear all about the battlegrounds and fortresses you were to inspect. The Marquise, especially, is a lover of wars. " "And of warriors?" queried Dumaresque; but the Countess paid noattention to him. "Yes, she is really a revolutionist, Monsieur; so come and enlightenus as to the latest methods of those amiable patriots. " The Marquise had given him a gracious little bow, and had politelyshown interest in their remarks to such an extent that the Countessdid not notice her silence. But during the brief glance she noticedthat the blue eyes had dark circles under them, but they were steadyfor all that. He looked tired, but he also looked more the master ofhimself than when they last met; she need fear no further pleading. The Countess prevailed, and he entered the carriage. Dumaresque wasalso invited, but was on some committee of arrangements and could notleave. As they were about to drive away the Marquise called him. "Oh, Monsieur Loris, one moment! I want the black and white sketch ofyour Kora. Pray have it bid in for me. " It was the first time she had ever called him Loris, except in her ownhome, and as a partial echo of the dowager. His eyes thanked her, andKenneth McVeigh received the benefit both of her words and the look. "But, my dear Marquise, it will give me pleasure to make you somethingfiner of the same subject. " "No, no; only the sketch. I will value it as a souvenir of--well--donot let any one else have it. " Then she bowed, flashed a rare smile at him, and they wheeled awaywith McVeigh facing her and noting with his careless smile everyexpression of her coquetry. He had gone away a boy--so she had calledhim; but he had come back man enough to hide the hurts she gave him, and willing to let her know it. Someway he appeared more as he had when she met him first under thebeeches; then he had seemed so big, so strong, so masterful, that shehad never thought of his years. But she knew now he was younger thanhe looked. She had plenty of time to think of this, and of many other things, during the drive. The Countess monopolized the young officer with her questions. Heendeavored to make the replies she invited, and neither of themappeared to note that the share of the Marquise was limited to aninterested expression, and an occasional smile. She studied his well-formed, strong hands, and thought of the nightthey had held her own--thought of all the impetuous, passionate words;try as she would to drive them away they came back with a rush as hiscool, widely different tones fell on her ear. What a dissembler thefellow was! All that evil nature which she knew about was hidden underan exterior so engaging! "_If one only loved where it was wise tolove, all the sorrows of the world would be ended, _" those words ofthe pretty figureante haunted her, with all their meaning beatingthrough her brain. What a farce seemed the careless, empty chatterbeside her! It grew unbearable, to feel his careless glance sweepacross her face, to hear him laugh carelessly, to be conscious of thefact that after all he was the stronger; he could face her easily, graciously, and she did not dare even meet his eyes lest he should, after all, see; the thought of her weakness frightened her; suppose heshould compel her to the truth. Suppose-- She felt half hysterical; the drive had never before been so long. Shefeared she must scream--do something to break through this horriblechain of circumstances, linking them for even so short a space withintouch of each other. And he was the man she had promised herself tohate, to make suffer, to-- Some one did scream; but it was the Countess. Out of a side streetcame a runaway team, a shouting man heralding their approach. At thatpoint street repairs had left only a narrow carriage-way, and a wallof loose stone; there was no time to get out of the way; no room toturn. There was a collision, a crash! The horses of the Countessleaped aside, the right front wheel struck the heap of stone, flingingthe driver from his seat. He fell, and did not move again. At that sight the Countess uttered a gasp and sank to the bottom ofthe carriage. The Marquise stooped over her only for an instant, whilethe carriage righted itself and all four wheels were on a level oncemore; the horses alone had been struck, and were maddened with fear, and in that madness lay their only danger now. She lifted her head, and the man opposite, in her instant ofshrinking, had leaped over the back of the seat to secure the lines ofthe now thoroughly wild animals. One line was dragging between them on the ground. Someway hemaintained his footing on the carriage pole long enough to secure thedragging line, and when he gained the driver's seat the Marquise wasbeside him. She knew what lay before them, and he did not--a dangerous curve, asteep embankment--and they had passed the last street where they couldhave turned into a less dangerous thoroughfare. People ran out and threw up their hands and shouted. She heard himfling an oath at them for adding fury to the maddened animals. "It is no use, " she said, and laid her hand on his. He turned and mether eyes. No veil of indifference was between them now, no coquetry;all pretense was swept aside and the look they exchanged was as akiss. "You love me--now?" he demanded, half fiercely. "Now, and always, from the first hour you looked at me!" she said, with her hand on his wrist. His grip tightened on the lines, and theblood leaped into his face. "My love, my love!" he whispered; and she slipped on her knees besidehim that she might not see the danger to be faced. "It is no use, Kenneth, Kenneth! There is the bank ahead--they cannotstop--it will kill us! It is just ahead!" She was muttering disjointed sentences, her face averted, her armsclasping him. "Kill us? Don't you believe it!" And he laughed a trifle nervously. "Look up, sweetheart; the danger is over. I knew it when you firstspoke. See! They are going steady now. " They were. He had gained control of them in time to make the dangerouscurve in safety. They were a quarter of the way along the embankment. Workmen there stared at the lady and gentleman on the coachman's seat, and at the rather rapid gait; but the real danger was over. They halted at a little cafe, which was thrown into consternation atsight of a lady insensible in the bottom of the carriage; but a littlewine and the administrations of the Marquise aided her recovery, andin a short time enabled her to hear the account of the wild race. The driver had a broken arm, and one of the horses was slightlyinjured. Lieutenant McVeigh had sent back about the man, and securedanother team for the drive home. He was now walking up and down thepavement in front of the cafe, in very good spirits, and awaiting thepleasure of the Countess. They drove home at once; the Countess voluably grateful to Kenneth, and apparently elated over such a tremendous adventure. The youngofficer shared her high spirits, and the Marquise was the only silentmember of the party. After the danger was passed she scarcely spoke. When he helped her into the carriage the pressure of his hand and onewhispered word sent the color sweeping over her face, leaving it palerthan before. She scarcely lifted her eyes for the rest of the drive, and after retiring for a few moments' rest, apparently, broke downentirely; the nervous strain had proven rather trying, and she wasutterly unable--to her own regret--to join them at lunch. Lieutenant McVeigh begged to withdraw, but the Countess Biron, whodeclared she had never been the heroine of a thrilling adventure, before, insisted that she at least was quite herself again, and wouldfeel cheated if their heroic deliverer did not remain for a lunch, even though it be a tete-a-tete affair; and she, of course, wanted tohear all the details of the horror; that child, Judithe, had notseemed to remember much; she supposed she must have been terriblyfrightened. "Yet, one never knew how the Marquise would be effected by_any_ thing! She was always surprising people; usually in delightfulways, of course. " "Of course, " assented her guest, with a reminiscent gleam and a wealthof absolute happiness in the blue eyes. "Yes, she is rather surprisingat times; she surprised me!" * * * * * "Judithe, my child, it was an ideal adventure, " insisted the Countess, an hour after the Lieutenant had left her, and she had repaired tothe room where the Marquise was supposed to be resting. Hernervousness had evidently not yet abated, for she was walking up anddown the floor. "An absolutely ideal adventure, and a heroic foreigner to the rescue!What a god-send that I invited him! And I really believe he enjoyedit. I never before saw him so gay, so charming! There are men, youknow, to whom danger is a tonic, and my friend's son is like that, surely. Did he not seem at all afraid?" "Not that I observed. " "Did he not say anything?" "Y--yes; he swore at the people who shouted and tried to stop thehorses. " "You should not have let yourself hear that, " said the Countess, reproachfully. "I thought he was so perfect, and was making my littleromance about him--or could, if you would only show a little moreinterest. Ah! at your age I should have been madly in love with thefine fellow, just for what he did today; but _you_! Still, it would beno use, I suppose. He is fiancee, you know. Yes; the mother told me; afine settlement; I saw her picture--very pretty. " "American--I suppose?" "Oh, yes; their lands join, and she is a great heiress. The name--thename is Loring--Genevieve? No--Gertrude, Mademoiselle Gertrude Loring. Ah! so strong he was, so heroic. If she loves him she should have seenhim today. " "Yes, " agreed the Marquise, with a curious little smile, "sheshould. " * * * * * Two hours later she was on her knees beside the dowager's couch, herface hidden and all her energy given to one plea: "Maman--Maman! Do not question me; only give me your trust--let us goaway!" "But the man--tah! It is only a fancy; why should you leave for that?Whoever it is, the infatuation grew quickly and will die out the sameway--so--" "No! If I remain I cannot answer for myself. I am ashamed to confessit, but--listen, Maman--but put your arms around me first; he is notworthy, I know it; yet I love him! He vows love to me, yet he isbetrothed; I know that, _also_; but I have no reason left, and myfolly will make me go to him if you do not help me. Listen, Maman!I--I will do all you say. I will marry in a year--two years--when thisis all over. I will obey you in everything, if you will only take meaway. I cannot leave you; yet I am afraid to stay where he is. " "Afraid! But, Judithe, my child, no one shall intrude upon you. Yourfriends will protect you from such a man. You have only to refuse tosee him, and in a little while--" "Refuse! Maman, what can I say to make you understand that I couldnever refuse him again? Yet, oh, the humiliation! Maman, he is the manI despised--the man I said was not fit to be spoken to; it was alltrue, but when I hear his voice it makes me forget his unworthiness. Listen, Maman! I--I confessed to him today that I loved him; yet Iknow he is the man who by the laws of America is the owner of RhodaLarue, and he is now the betrothed of her half-sister; I heard thename of his fiancee today, and it told me the whole story. He is theman! _Now_, will you take me away?" The next morning the dowager, Marquise de Caron, left her Paris homefor the summer season. Her destination was indefinitely mentioned asSwitzerland. Her daughter-in-law accompanied her. And to Kenneth McVeigh, waiting impatiently the hour when he might goto her, a note was given: "Monsieur: "My words of yesterday had no meaning. I was frightened and irresponsible. When you read this I will have left Paris. By not meeting again we will avoid further mistakes of the same nature. "This is my last word to you. "JUDITHE CARON. " For two weeks he tried in vain to find her. Then he was recalled toParis to meet his mother, who was ready for home. She was shocked athis appearance, and refused to believe that he had not been ill duringher absence, and had some motherly fears regarding Parisiandissipations, from which she decided to remove him, if possible. Heacknowledged he would be glad to go--he was sick of Europe any way. The last day he took a train for Fontainbleau, remained two hoursunder the beeches, alone, and got back to Paris in time to make thetrain for Havre. After they had got comfortably established on a homeward-bound vessel, and he was watching the land line grow fainter over the waters, Mrs. McVeigh came to him with a bit of news read from the last journalbrought aboard. The dowager, Marquise de Caron, had established herself at Geneva forthe season, accompanied by her daughter, the present Marquise, whoseengagement to Monsieur Loris Dumaresque had just been announced. CHAPTER X. Long before the first gun had been fired at Fort Sumter, Madame laMarquise was able to laugh over that summer-time madness of hers, andridicule herself for the wasted force of that infatuation. She was no longer a recluse unacquainted with men. The prophecy ofMadame, the dowager, that if left alone she would return to theconvent, had not been verified. The death of the dowager occurredtheir first winter in Paris, after Geneva, and the Marquise had notyet shown a predilection for nunneries. She had seen the world, and it pleased her well enough; indeed, theportion of the world she came in contact with did its best to pleaseher, and with a certain feverish eagerness she went half way to meetit. People called her a coquette--the most dangerous of coquettes, becauseshe was not a cold one. She was responsive and keenly interested up tothe point where admirers declared themselves, and proposals ofmarriage followed; after _that_, every man was just like every otherone! Yet she was possessed of an idea that somewhere there existed ahitherto undiscovered specimen who could discuss the emotions and thephilosophies in delightful sympathy, and restrain the expression ofhis own personal emotions to tones and glances, those indefinitesuggestions that thrill yet call for no open reproof--no reversal offriendship. So, that was the man she was seeking in the multitudes--and on theway there were surely amusements to be found! Dumaresque remonstrated. She defended herself with the avowal that shewas only avenging weaker womanhood, smiled at, won, and forgotten, ashis sex were fond of forgetting. "But we expect better things of women, " he declared warmly; "not adeliberate intention of playing with hearts to see how many can behurt in a season. Judithe, you are no longer the same woman. Where isthe justice you used to gauge every one by? Where the mercy to othersweaker than yourself?" "Gone!" she laughed lightly; "driven away in self-defense! I have hadto put mercy aside lest it prove my master. The only safeguard againstbeing too warm to all may be to be cool to all. You perceive thatwould never--never do. So--!" "End all this unsatisfied, feverish life by marrying me, " he pleaded. "I will take you from Paris. With all your social success you havenever been happy here; we will travel. You promised, Judithe, and--" "Chut! Loris; you are growing ungallant. You should never remember awoman's promise after she has forgotten it. We were betrothed--yes. But did I not assure you I might never marry? Maman was made happy fora little while by the fancy; but now?--well, matrimony is no moreappealing to me than it ever was, and you would not want anindifferent wife. I like you, you best of all those men you champion, but I love none of you! Not that I am lacking in affection, butrather, incapable of concentrating it on one object. " "Once, it was not so; I have not forgotten the episode of Fontainbleu. " "That? Pouf! I have learned things since then, Loris. I have learnedthat once, at least, in every life love seems to have been born onearth for the first time; happy those whom it does not visit too late!Well! I, also, had to have my little experience; it had to be _some_one; so it was that stranger. But I have outgrown all that; we alwaysoutgrow those things, do we not? I compare him now with the men I haveknown since, and he shrinks, he dwindles! I care only for intellectualmen, and the artistic temperament. He had neither. Yes, it is true;the girlish fancies appear ridiculous in so short a time. " Dumaresque agreed that it was true of any fancy, to one of ficklenature. "No, it is not fickleness, " she insisted. "Have you no boyish loves ofthe past hidden away, each in their separate nook of memory? Confess!Are you and the world any the worse for them? Certainly not. They eachcontributed a certain amount towards the education of the emotions. Well; is my education to be neglected because you fear I shall injurethe daintily-bound books in the human library? I shall not, Loris. Ionly flutter the leaves a little and glance at the pictures theyoffer, but I never covet one of them for my own, and never read one tothe finale, hence--" Dumaresque left soon after for an extended artistic pilgrimage intonorthern Africa, and people began to understand that there would be nowedding. The engagement had only been made to comfort the dowager. Judithe de Caron regretted his departure more than she had regrettedanything since the death of the woman who had been a mother to her. There was no one else with whom she could be so candid--no man whoinspired her with the same confidence. She compared him with theAmerican, and told herself how vastly her friend was the superior. Had McVeigh been one of the scholarly soldiers of Europe, such as shehad since known--men of breadth and learning, she could haveunderstood her own infatuation. But he was certainly provincial, andnot at all learned. She had met many cadets since, and had studiedthem. They knew their military tactics--the lessons of their schools. They flirted with the grissettes, and took on airs; they drank and hadpride in emptying more glasses and walking straighter afterwards thantheir comrades. They were very good fellows, but heavens! how shallowthey were! So _he_ must have been. She tried to remember a singlesentence uttered by him containing wisdom of any sort whatever--therehad not been one. His silences had been links to bind her to him. Hisglances had been revelations, and his words had been only: "I adoreyou. " So many men had said the same thing since. It seemed always the sortof thing men said when conversation flagged. But in those earlier daysshe had not known that, hence the fact that she--well, she knew now! Twice she had met that one-time bondwoman, Kora, and the meeting lefther thoughtful, and not entirely satisfied with herself. How wise she could be in advice to that pretty butterfly! How plainlyshe could work out a useful life to be followed by--some one else! Her more thoughtful moods demanded: Why not herself? Her charitiesof the street, her subscriptions to worthy funds, her patronageof admirable institutions, all these meant nothing. Dozens offashionables and would-be fashionables did the same. It wasexpected of them. Those charities opened a door through whichmany entered the inner circles. She had fitful desires to do the things people did not expect. Shedetested the shams of life around her in that inner circle. She feltat times she would like to get them all under her feet--trample themdown and make room for something better; but for what? She did notknow. She was twenty-one, wealthy, her own mistress, and was tired ofit all. When she drove past laughing Kora on the avenue she was moretired of it than ever. "How am I better than she but by accident?" she asked herself. "Sheamuses herself--poor little bondslave, who has only changed masters! Iamuse myself (without a master, it is true, and more elegantly, perhaps), but with as little usefulness to the world. " She felt ashamed when she thought of Alain and his mother, who seemedto have lived only to help others. They had given over the power toher, and how poorly she had acquitted herself! Once--when she first came with the dowager to Paris--the days had beenall too short for her plans and dreams of usefulness; how long agothat seemed. Now, she knew that the owner of wealth is the victim of multitudinousschemes of the mendicant, whether of the street corner or thefashionable missions. She had lost faith in the efficacy of alms. Nocause came to her with force enough to re-awaken her enthusiasms. Everything was so tame--so old! One day she read in a journal that the usefulness of Kora as a dancerwas over. There had been an accident at the theatre, her foot wassmashed; not badly enough to call for amputation, but too much for herever to dance again. The Marquise wondered if the fair-weather friends would desert hernow. She had heard of Trouvelot, an exquisite who followed thefashions in everything, and Kora had succeeded in being the fashionfor two seasons. She was just as pretty, no doubt--just as adorable, but-- As the weeks of that winter went by rumors from the Western world werethick with threats of strife. State after State had seceded. The Southwas marshalling her forces, training her men, urging the necessity ofdefending State rights and maintaining their power to govern a portionas ably as they had the whole of the United States during the eightyyears of its governmental life. The North, with its factories, itsforeign commerce, and its manifold requirements, had bred thepoliticians of the country. But the South, with its vast agriculturalStates, its wealth, and its traditions of landed ancestry, hadproduced the orators--the statesman--the men who had shone mostbrilliantly in the pages of their national history. From the shores of France one could watch some pretty moves in thegames evolving about that promise of civil war; the creeping forwardof England to help widen the breach between the divided sections, andthe swift swinging of Russian war vessels into the harbors of theAtlantic--the silent bear of the Russias facing her hereditary Englishfoe and forbidding interference, until the lion gave way with lowgrowlings, not daring to even roar his chagrin, but contenting himselfwith night-prowlings during the four years that followed. All those wheels within wheels were discussed around the Marquise deCaron in those days. Her acquaintance with the representatives ofdifferent nations and the diplomats of her own, made her aware of manyunpublished moves for advantage in the game they surveyed. Thediscussion of them, and guesses as to the finale, helped to awake herfrom the lethargy she had deplored. Remembering that the McVeighsbelonged to a seceding state, she asked many questions and forgot noneof the replies. "Madame La Marquise, I was right, " said a white moustached general onenight at a great ball, where she appeared. "Was it not a rose youwagered me? I have won. War is declared in America. In South Carolina, today, the Confederates won the first point, and secured a Federalfort. " "General! they have not dared!" "Madame, those Southerons are daring above everything. I have metthem. Their men are fighters, and they will be well officered. " Well officered! She thought of Kenneth McVeigh, he would be one ofthem; yes, she supposed that was one thing he could do--fight; a thingrequiring brute strength, brute courage! "So!" said the Countess Biron, who seldom was acquainted with thecauses of any wars outside those of court circles, "this means that ifthe Northern States should retaliate and conquer, all the slaves wouldbe free?" "Not at all, Countess. The North does not interfere with slavery whereit exists, only protests against its extension to greater territory. " "Oh! Well; I understood it had something to do with the Africans. Thatclever young Delaven devoted an entire hour to my enlightenmentyesterday. And my poor friend, Madame McVeigh, you remember her, Judithe? She is in the Carolinas. I tremble to think of her positionnow; an army of slaves surrounding them, and, of course, only awaitingthe opportunity for insurrection. " "And Louisiana seceded two months ago, " said the Marquise, and thensmiled. "You will think me a mercenary creature, " she declared, "but Ihave property in New Orleans which I have never seen, and I amwondering whether its value will rise or fall because of the proposedchange of government. " "You have never seen it?" "No; it was a purchase made by my husband from some home-sickrelative, who had thought to remain there, but could not live awayfrom France. I have promised myself to visit it some day. It would beexceedingly difficult to do so now, I suppose, but how much morespirited a journey it would be; for each side will have vessels onguard all along the coast, will they not?" "There will at least be enough to deter most ladies from takingadventurous pilgrimages in that direction. I shall not advise you togo unless under military escort, Marquise. " "I shall notify you, General, when my preparations are made; in themeantime here is your rose; and would not my new yacht do for thejourney?" So, jesting and questioning, she accepted his arm and made the circleof the rooms. Everywhere they heard fragments of the same topic. Americans were there from both sections. She saw a pretty woman fromAlabama nod and smile, but put her hands behind her when a hithertofriendly New Yorker gave her greeting. "We women can't do much to help, " she declared, in those soft tones ofthe South, "but we can encourage our boys by being pronounced in oursympathies. I certainly shall not shake hands with a Northerner whomay march with the enemy against our men; how can I?" "Suppose we talk it over and try to find a way, " he suggested. Thenthey both smiled and passed on together. Judithe de Caron foundherself watching them with a little ache in her heart. She could seethey were almost, if not quite, lovers; yet all their hopes werecentered on opposite victories. How many--many such cases there mustbe! * * * * * Before spring had merged into summer, a lady, veiled, and giving noname, was announced to the Marquise. Rather surprised at themysterious call, she entered the reception room, and was againsurprised when the lifted veil disclosed the handsome face of theoctoroon, Kora. She had lost some of her brilliant color, and her expression was moresettled, it had less of the butterfly brightness. "You see, Madame, I have at last taken you at your word. " The Marquise, who was carefully noting the alteration in her, bowed, but made no remark. The face of the octoroon showed uncertainty. "Perhaps--perhaps I have waited too long, " she said, and half rose. "No, no; you did right to come. I expected you--yes, really! Now beseated and tell me what it is. " "First, that you were a prophetess, Madame, " and the full lips smiledwithout merriment. "I am left alone, now that I have neither money northe attraction for the others. He only followed the crowd--to me, andaway from me!" "Well?" "Well, it is not about _that_ I come! But, Madame, I am going toAmerica; not to teach, as you advised, but I see now a way in which Ican really help. " "Help whom?" Her visitor regarded her with astonishment; was it possible that she, the woman whose words had aroused the first pride of race in her, thefirst thought of her people unlinked with shame! That she had so soonforgotten? Had she remembered the pupil, but failed to recall thelesson taught? "You have probably forgotten the one brief conversation with which youhonored me, Madame. But I mean the people we discussed then--mypeople. " "You mean the colored people. " "Certainly, Madame. " "But you are more white than colored. " "Oh, yes; that is true, but the white blood would not count in Americaif it were known there was one drop of black blood in my mother. Butno one need know it; I go from France, I will speak only French, andif you would only help me a little. " She grew prettier in her eagerness, and her eyes brightened. TheMarquise smiled at the change enthusiasm made. "You must tell me the object for which you go. " "It is the war, Madame; in time this war must free the colored folks;it is talked of already; it is said the North will put coloredsoldiers in the field; that will be the little, thin edge of thewedge, and if I could only get there, if you would help me to someposition, or a recommendation to people in New Orleans; any way sothat people would not ask questions or be curious about me--if youwould only do that madame!" "But what will you do when there?" The girl glanced about the room and spoke more softly. "I am trusting you, Madame, without asking who you side with in ourwar, but even if you are against us I--I trust you! They tell me theSouth is the strongest. They have been getting ready for this a longtime. The North will need agents in the South. I have learned somethings here--people talk so much. I am going to Washington. Fromthere I will go south. No one will know me in New Orleans. I willchange my name, and I promise not to bring discredit on anyrecommendation you may give me. " "It is a plan filled with difficulties and dangers. What has moved youto contemplate such sacrifices?" "You, Madame!" The Marquise flushed slightly. "From the time youtalked to me I wanted to do something, be something better. But, youknow, it seemed no use; there was no need of me anywhere but in Paris. That is all over. I can go now, and I have some information worthtaking to the Federal government. The South has commissioners herenow. I have learned all they have accomplished, and the people theyhave interested, so if I had a little help--" "You shall have it!" declared the Marquise. "I have been dying ofennui. Your plan is a cure for me--better than a room full ofcourtiers! But if I give you letters it must be to my lawyers in NewOrleans--clever, shrewd men--and I should have to trust you entirely, remember. " "I shall not forget, Madame. " "Very good; come tomorrow. What can you do about an establishment suchas mine? Ladies maid? Housekeeper? Governess?" "Any of those; but only governess to very small children. " "Come tomorrow. I shall have planned something by then. I have anengagement in a few minutes, and have no more time today. By the way, have you ever been in Georgia or South Carolina?" Kora hesitated, and then said: "Yes, Madame. " "Have you any objection to going back there?" The octoroon looked at her in a startled, suspicious way. "I hesitate to reply to that, Madame, for reasons! I don't mindtelling you, though, that there is one place in America where I mightbe claimed, if they knew me. I am not anxious to visit that place. " "Naturally! Tomorrow at eleven I will see you, and you can tell me allabout it. If I am to act as your protectress I must know all you cantell me--_all_! It is the only way. I like the mystery and intrigue ofthe whole affair. It promises new sensations. I will help you showthat government that you are willing to help your people. Cometomorrow. " A few days later the Marquise set her new amusement on foot by biddingadieu to a demure, dark eyed, handsome girl, who was garbed mostsedately, and whose letters of introduction pronounced her--oh, sentiment or irony of women--Madame Louise Trouvelot, an attache ofthe Caron establishment, commissioned by the Marquise to inspect thedwellings on the Caron estate in New Orleans, and report as to whetherany one of them would be suitable for a residence should the ownerdesire to visit the city. If none should prove so, Louise Trouvelot, who comprehended entirely the needs of the Marquise, was furthercommissioned to look up such a residence with a view to purchase, andcommunicate with the Marquise and with her American lawyers, who wereto give assistance to Louise Trouvelot in several business matters, especially relating to her quest. CHAPTER XI. ON THE SALKAHATCHIE. Scarce a leaf quivered on the branches of the magnolias, or a tress ofgray-green moss on the cypress boughs. All the world of theSalkahatchie was wrapped in siesta. The white clouds drifting onpalest turquoise were the only moving things except the water flowingbeneath, and its soft swish against the gunnels of the floating wharfmade the only sound. The plantation home of Loringwood, facing the river, and reachedthrough the avenue of enormous live oaks, looked an enchanted palacetouched with the wand of silence. From the wide stone steps to the wide galleries, with their flutedpillars, not a murmur but the winged insects droning in the tangledgrasses, for the wild luxuriance of rose tree and japonica, of lawnand crape myrtle, betrayed a lack of pruning knives in the immediateseason past; and to the south, where the rice fields had reached acrebeyond acre towards the swamps, there were now scattered patches offeathering young pine, creeping everywhere not forbidden to it by thehand of man. Spring time and summer time, for almost a century, had been livedthrough under its sloping, square, dormer-windowed roof. But all theblue sky and brilliant sunshine above could not save it from asuggestion of autumn, and the shadows lengthening along the river werein perfect keeping with the entire picture--a picture of perpetualafternoon. "Row-lock, " "Row-lock, " sounded the dip and click of paddles, as aboat swept close to the western bank, where the shadows fell. TwoAfro-Americans bent in rhythmic motion--bronze human machines, whosebared arms showed nothing of effort as they sent the boat cuttingthrough the still water. A middle-aged woman in a voluminous lavender lawn and carrying aparasol of plaid silk-green, with faded pink bars, sat in the afterpart of the boat, while a slight brown-haired girl just in frontamused herself by catching at branches of willows as they passed. "Evilena, honey, you certainly are like to do yourself a hurt reachingout like that, and if you _should_ go over!" "But I shan't, Aunt Sajane. Do you reckon I'd risk appearing beforeGertrude Loring in a draggled gown just when she has returned from thevery heart of the civilized world? Goodness knows, we'll all lookdowdy enough to her. " Aunt Sajane (Mistress Sarah Jane Nesbitt) glanced down at her ownimmaculate lawn, a little faded but daintily laundered, and at her owntrim congress-gaitered feet. "Oh, I didn't mean you, " added the girl, laughing softly. "AuntSajane, I truly do believe that if you had nothing but gunny sacks fordresses you'd contrive to look as if you'd just come out of abandbox. " "I'd wear gunny sacks fast enough if it was to help the cause, " agreedAunt Sajane, with a kindly smile. "So would you, honey. " "Honey" trailed her fingers in the waters, amber-tinted from the rootsof the cypress trees. "If a letter from mama comes today we will just miss it. " "Only by a day. Brother Gideon will send it. " "But suppose he's away somewhere on business, or up there at Columbiaon state councils or conventions, or whatever they are, as he is justnow?" "Then Pluto will fetch it right over, " and she glanced at one of theblack men, who showed his teeth for an instant and bent his head inassent. "Don't see why Judge Clarkson was _ever_ named Gideon, " protested thegirl. "It's a hard, harsh sort of name, and he's as--as--" "Soft?" queried the judge's sister, with an accompaniment of easylaughter. The youngest of the two oarsmen grinned. Pluto maintained awell-bred indifference. "No!" and the girl flung a handful of willow leaves over the lavenderlawn. "He is--well--just about right, the judge is; so gentle, soconsiderate, so altogether magnificent in his language. I've adoredhim as far back as when he fought the duel with the Northern man whoreflected some way on our customs; that was starting a war for hisstate all alone, before anyone else thought of it, I reckon. I musthave been very little then, for I just recollect how he used to let melook in his pockets for candy, and I was awfully afraid of the pistolsI thought he must carry there to shoot people with, " and she smiled atthe childish fancy. "I tell you, Aunt Sajane, if my papa had livedthere's just one man I'd like him to favor, and that's our judge. Buthe didn't, did he?" "No, he didn't, " said Aunt Sajane. "The McVeigh men were all dark, down to Kenneth, and he gets his fairness from your ma. " Then sheadded, kindly, "the judge will be very proud of your admiration. " "Hope he'll care enough about it to hurry right along after us. Hedoes put in a powerful lot of his time in Charleston and Columbialately, " and the tone was one of childish complaint. "Why, honey, how you suppose our soldier boys would be provided forunless some of the representative men devote their time to the work?It's a consolation to me that Gideon is needed for civil service justnow, for if he wasn't he wouldn't be so near home as he is; he'd besomewhere North with a regiment, and I reckon that wouldn't suit youany better. " "No, it wouldn't, " agreed the girl, "though I do like a man who willfight, of course. _Any_ girl does. " "Oh, Honey!" "Yes they do, too. But just now I don't want him either fighting or inlegislature. I want him right along with us at Loringwood. If he isn'tthere to talk to Mr. Loring it won't be possible to have a word alonewith Gertrude all the time we stay. How he _does_ depend on her, andwhat an awful time she must have had all alone with him in Paris whilehe was at that hospital, or whatever it was. " "Not many girls so faithful as Gertrude Loring, " agreed Aunt Sajane. "Not that he has ever shown much affection for her, either, considering she is his own brother's child. But she certainly hasshown a Christian sense of duty towards him. Well, you see, they arethe only ones left of the family. It's natural, I suppose. " "_I_ would think it natural to run away and leave him, like Aleck andScip did. " Aunt Sajane cast a warning glance towards the two oarsmen. "Well, I would, " insisted the girl. "I wonder no more of them ran awaywhen they thought he was coming home. How he must have raved! _I_shouldn't wonder if it prostrated him again. You know old DoctorAllison said it was just a fit of temper caused--" "Yes, yes, honey; but you know we are to sleep under his rooftonight. " "I'll sleep under Gertrude's half of it, " laughed the girl. "It's nouse reminding me of my bad manners, Aunt Sajane. But as long as I canremember anyone, I've had two men in my mind. One always grunted at meand told me to take my doll somewhere else or be quiet. That wasKenneth's guardian, Matthew Loring. The other man always had sugarkisses in his pocket for me and gave me my first dog and my only pony. That was Judge Clarkson. You see if my judge had not been so lovelythe other would not have seemed so forbidding. It was the contrast didit. I wonder--I wonder if he ever had a sweetheart?" "Gideon Clarkson? Lots of them, " said his sister, promptly. "I meant Mr. Loring. " "Nonsense, honey, nonsense. " "And nonsense means no, " decided the girl. "I thought it would becurious if he had, " then an interval of silence, broken only by thedip of the oars. "Gertrude's note said a Paris doctor is with them, afriend of Kenneth and mama. Well, I only hope _he_ isn't a crusty oldsweetheartless man. But of course he is if Mr. Loring chose him. I'mwild to know how they got through the blockade. Oh, dear, how I wishit was Ken!" "I don't suppose you wish it any more than the boy himself, " said AuntSajane, with a sigh. "There's a good many boys scattered from home, these days, who would be glad to be home again. " "But not unless they gain what they went for, " declared the girl inpatriotic protest. The older woman sighed, and said nothing. Her enthusiasms of a yearago had been shrouded by the crape of a mourning land; the glory ofconquest would be compensation, perhaps, and would be gained, nodoubt. But the price to be paid chilled her and left her without wordswhen Evilena revelled in the glories of the future. "Loringwood line, " said Pluto, motioning towards a great ditch leadingstraight back from the river. Evilena shrugged her shoulders with a little pretense of chill, andlaughed. "That is only a reminder of what I used to feel when Gertrude's unclecame to our house. I wonder if this long dress will prevent him fromgrunting at me or ordering me out of the room if I talk too much. " "Remember, Evilena, he has been an invalid for four years, and isexcusable for almost any eccentricity. " "How did you all excuse his eccentricities before he got sick, AuntSajane?" Receiving no reply, the girl comforted herself with the appreciativesmile of the oarsmen, who were evidently of her mind as to the planterunder discussion, and a mile further they ran the boat through thereeds and lily pads to the little dock at Loringwood. Mrs. Nesbitt shook out the folds of her crisp lawn, adjusted herbonnet and puffs and sighed, as they walked up the long avenue. "I can remember when the lily pads never could get a chance to growthere on account of the lot of company always coming in boats, " shesaid, regretfully, "and I've heard that the old Lorings lived likekings here long ago; wild, reckless, magnificent men; not at all likethe Lorings now; and oh, my, how the place has been neglected of late. Not a sign of life about the house. Now, in _Tom_ Loring's time--" They had reached the foot of the steps when the great double doorsswung back and a woman appeared on the threshold and inclined her headin greeting. "Well, Margeret, I am glad to see some one alive, " declared Mrs. Nesbitt; "the place is so still. " "Yes; just look at Pluto and Bob, " said Evilena, motioning towards theboatmen. "One would think a ghost had met them at the landing, theyare so subdued. " The brown eyed, grey haired woman in the door glanced at the twocolored men who were following slowly along a path towards the back ofthe house. "Yes, Miss Lena, it is quiet, " she agreed. "Please step in MistressNesbitt. I'll have Raquel show you right up to your rooms, for MissLoring didn't think you could get here for an hour yet, and she feltobliged to ride over to the north corner, but won't be gone long. " "And Mr. Loring--how is he?" "Mr. Loring is very much worn out. He's gone asleep now. Doctor sayshe's not to be seen just yet. " "Oh, yes; the doctor. I'll see him directly after I've rested alittle. He speaks English, I hope. Are you coming up, honey?" "Not yet. I'll keep a lookout for Gertrude. " Margeret had touched a bell and in response a little black girl hadappeared, who smiled and ducked her head respectfully. "Howdy, Miss Sajane? Howdy, Miss Lena?" she exclaimed, her black eyesdancing. "I dunno how come it come, I nevah heerd you all, for I donegot--" "Raquel, you show Mistress Nesbitt to the west room, " said the quiettones of Margeret, and Raquel's animation subsided into wordless grinsas she gathered up the sunshade, reticule and other belongings, andpreceded Mistress Nesbitt up the stairs. "If there's anything I can do for you just send Raquel for me. " "Thank you, Margeret. I'll remember. " Margeret crossed the hall to the parlor door and opened it. "If you'd rather rest in here, Miss Lena--" "No, no; I'll go look for Gertrude. Don't mind me. I remember all therooms well enough to make myself at home till she comes. " Margeret inclined her head slightly and moved along the hall to thedoor of the dining room, which she entered. Evilena looked after her with a dubious smile in the blue-gray eyes. "I wonder if I could move as quietly as that even with my feet_bare_, " and she tried walking softly on the polished oak floor, butthe heels of her shoes would persist in giving out little clickingsounds as Margeret's had not. "It's no use. No living person with shoes on could walk silently asthat woman. She's just a ghost who--_a-gh-gh_!" Her attempt at silent locomotion had brought her to the door of thelibrary, directly opposite the dining room. As she turned to retraceher steps that door suddenly opened and a hand grasped her shoulder. "Oh, ho! This time I've caught you, have I? you--oh, murder!" Her half uttered scream had been checked by the sound of a voice whichmemory told her was not that of her bugbear, the invalid master of thehouse. It was, instead, a strange gentleman, who was young, and evenattractive; whose head was a mass of reddish curls, and whose austeregaze changed quickly to an embarrassed stare as her hat slipped backand he saw her face. The girl was the first to recover herself. "Yes, you certainly did catch me this time, " she gasped. "My dear young lady, I'm a blundering idiot. I beg your pardon mosthumbly. I thought it was that Raquel, and I--" "Oh, Raquel?" and she backed to the opposite wall, regarding him withdoubt and question in her eyes. "Exactly. Allow me to explain. Raquel, in company with some other impsof all shades, have developed an abnormal interest in the unpacking ofvarious boxes today, and especially a galvanic battery in here, which--" "Battery? In _there_?" and Evilena raised on her tip-toes to surveythe room over his shoulder. "I know some boys of Battery B, but Inever saw them without uniforms. " "Uniform, is it? Well, now, you see, I've only been a matter of hoursin the country, and small chance to look up a tailor. Are--are they anecessity to the preservation of life here?" He spoke with a doubtful pretense of timidity, and looked at herquizzically. She smiled, but made a little grimace, a curve of thelips and nod of the head conveying decision. "You will learn it is the only dress for a man that makes life worthliving, for him, around here, " she replied. "Every man who is notsuperannuated or attached to the state government in some way has towear a uniform unless he wants his loyalty questioned. " The un-uniformed man smiled at her delightful patriotic frankness. "Faith, now, I've no objection to the questions if you are appointedquestioner. But let me get you a chair. Even when on picket duty andchallenging each new comer, you are allowed a more restful attitudethan your present one, I hope. You startled me into forgetting--" "_I_ startled _you_? Well!" "Oh, yes. I was the one to do the bouncing out and nabbing you, wasn'tI? Well, now, I can't believe you were the more frightened of the two, for all that. Have this chair, please; it is the most comfortable. Yousee, I fancied Raquel had changed under my touch from dusky brown toangelic white. The hat hid your face, you know, until you turnedaround, and then--" "Well?" At the first tone of compliment she had forgotten all thestrangeness of their meeting, and remembered only the coquetry sonaturally her own. With or without the uniform of her country, he wasat least a man, and there had been a dearth of men about theirplantation, "The Terrace, " of late. "Well, " he repeated after her, "when you tipped the hat back I thoughtin a wink of all the fairy stories of transformation I used to heartold by the old folks in Ireland. " "Do you really mean that you believe fairy stories?" Her tone wassevere and her expression chiding. "On my faith I believed them all that minute. " Her eyes dropped to the toe of her slipper. It was all verydelightful, this tete-a-tete with the complimentary unknown, and to bethought a fairy! She wished she had gone up with Aunt Sajane andbrushed her hair. Still-- "I was sure it was Mr. Loring who had hold of me until I lookedaround, " she confessed, "and that frightened me just as much as thewickedest fairy or goblin could ever do. " "Indeed, now, would it?" She glanced around to see if her indiscreet speech had been overheardand then nodded assent. "Oh, you needn't smile, " she protested; and his face at once becamecomically grave. "_You_ didn't have him for a bug-a-boo when you werelittle, as I did. That doctor of his gave orders that no one was tosee him just now, and I am glad Gertrude will be back before we areadmitted. With Gertrude to back me up I could be brave as--as--" "A sheep, " suggested the stranger. "I was going to say a lion, but lions are big, and I'm not very. " "No, you are not, " he agreed. "Sad, isn't it?" Then they both laughed. She was elated, bubbling over with delight, atmeeting some one in Loringwood who actually laughed. "Gertrude's note last night never told us she had company, and I hadgloomy forebodings of Uncle Matthew and Uncle Matthew's doctor, towhom I would not dare speak a word, and the relief of finding realpeople here is a treat, so please don't mind if I'm silly. " "I shan't--when you are, " he agreed, magnanimously. "But prayenlighten me as to why you will be unable to exchange words with themedical stranger? He's no worse a fellow than myself. " "Of _course_ not, " she said, with so much fervor that her listener'ssmile was clearly a compromise with laughter. "But a doctor fromParis! Our old Doctor Allison is pompous and domineering enough, andhe never was out of the state, but this one from Europe, he is sure tooppress me with his wonderful knowledge. Indeed, I don't know who hewill find to talk to here, now, except Judge Clarkson. The judge_will_ be scholarly enough for him. " "And does he, also, oppress you with his professional knowledge?" Evilena's laugh rang out clear as a bird's note. "The Judge? Never! Why I just love him. He is the dearest, best--" "I see. He's an angel entirely, and no mere mortal from Paris is to bementioned in the same breath. " "Well, he is everything charming, " she insisted. "You would be sure tolike him. " "I wish I could be as sure you might change your mind and like thenew-comer from Paris. " "Do you? Oh, well, then, I'll certainly try. What is he like, nice?" "I really can't remember ever having heard any one say so, " confessedthe stranger, smiling at her. "Well, " and Evilena regarded him with wide, astonished eyes, "no oneelse likes him, yet you hoped I would. Why, I don't see how--" The soft quick beat of horse hoofs on the white shelled roadinterrupted her, or gave opportunity for interrupting herself. "I hope it's Gertrude. Oh, it _is_! You dear old darling. " She flounced down the steps, followed by the man, who was becoming apuzzle. He gave his hand to Miss Loring, who accepted that assistancefrom the horse block, and then he stepped aside that the embracefeminine might have no obstacle in its path. "My dear little girl, " and the mistress of Loringwood kissed her guestwith decided fondness. "How good of you to come at once--and Mrs. Nesbitt, too? I'm sorry you had to wait even a little while for awelcome, but I just had to ride over to the quarters, and then to thefar fields. Thank you, doctor, for playing host. " "_Doctor_?" gasped Evilena, gripping Miss Loring's arm. There was amoment of hesitation on the part of all three, when she said, reproachfully, looking at the smiling stranger, "Then it was you allthe time?" "Was there no one here to introduce you?" asked Miss Loring, lookingfrom one to the other. "This is Dr. Delavan, dear, and this, doctor, is Kenneth's sister. " "Thanks. I recognized her at once, and I trust you will forgive me fornot introducing myself sooner, mademoiselle, but--well, we had so manyother more interesting things to speak of. " Evilena glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and with her armabout Gertrude walked in silence up the steps. She wanted time tothink over what awful things she had said to him, not an easy thing todo, for Evilena said too many things to remember them all. Margeret was in the hall. Evilena wondered by what occult messages shelearned when any one ascended those front steps. She took MissLoring's riding hat and gloves. "Mistress Nesbitt is just resting, " she said, in those soft eventones. "She left word to call her soon as you got back--she'd comedown. " "I'll go up and see her, " decided Miss Loring. "Will you excuse us, doctor? And Margeret, have Chloe get us a bit of lunch. We are all alittle tired, and it is a long time till supper. " "I have some all ready, Miss Gertrude. Was only waiting till you gotback. " "Oh, very well. In five minutes we will be down. " Then, with her arm about Evilena, Miss Loring ascended the widestairway, where several portraits of vanished Lorings hung, none ofthem resembling her own face particularly. She was what the Countess Biron had likened her to when the photographwas shown--a white lily, slender, blonde, with the peculiar andattractive combination of hazel eyes and hair of childish flaxencolor. Her features were well formed and a trifle small for herheight. She had the manner of a woman perfectly sure of herself, herposition and her own importance. Her voice was very sweet. Sometimes there were high, clear tones init. Delaven had admired those bell-like intonations until now, when heheard her exchange words with Margeret. All at once the mellow, contralto tones of the serving woman made the voice of the lovelymistress sound metallic--precious metal, to be sure, nothing less thansilver. But in contrast was the melody, entirely human, soft, harmonious, alluring as a poet's dream of the tropics. CHAPTER XII. "How that child is petted on, Gideon, " and Mrs. Nesbitt looked up fromher work, the knitting of socks, to be worn by unknown boys in gray. Even the material for them was growing scarce, and she prided herselfon always managing, someway, to keep her knitting needles busy. Atpresent she was using a coarse linen or tow thread, over which shelamented because of its harshness. Miss Loring, who appeared very domestic, with a stack of householdlinen beside her, glanced up, with a smile. "Rather fortunate, isn't it, considering--" an arch of the brows and asignificant expression were allowed to finish her meaning. Mrs. Nesbitt pursed up her lips and shook her head. "I really and truly wonder sometimes, Gertrude, if it's going on likethis always. Ten years if it's a day since he commenced paying courtthere, and what she allows to do, at least is more than I can guess. " "Marry him, no doubt, " suggested Gertrude, inspecting a sheetcarefully, and then proceeding to tear it in widths designated by Dr. Delaven for hospital bandages. "She certainly esteems him veryhighly. " "Oh, esteem!" and Mrs. Nesbitt's tone was dubious. "Well, people don't think much of getting married these days, wherethere is fighting and mourning everywhere. " The older lady gave her a quick glance over the tow yarn rack, but thefair face was very serene, and without a trace of personal feeling onthe subject. "Yes, that's so, " she admitted, "but I used to think they were onlywaiting till Kenneth came of age, or until he graduated. But my! Ididn't see it make a spec of difference. They danced together at theparty given for him, and smiled, careless as you please, and now thedancing is ended, they keep on friendly and smiling, and I'm downrightpuzzled to know what they do mean. " "Maybe no more than those two, who are only amusing themselves, " saidGertrude, with a glance towards the lawn where Evilena and Delavenwere fencing with long stalks of a wild lily they had brought from theswamps, and when Evilena was vanquished by the foe her comforter was awhite-haired gentleman, inclined to portliness, and with much morethan an inclination to courtliness, whom Evilena called "My Judge. " It was two weeks after the descent of Aunt Sajane and Evilena uponLoringwood. The former, after a long consultation with Dr. Delaven, had returned to her own home, near the McVeigh plantation, and puttingher household in order for a more prolonged visit than at firstintended, she had come back to be near Gertrude in case-- None of them had put into words to each other their thought as toMatthew Loring's condition, but all understood the seriousness of it, and Gertrude, of course, must not be left alone. Dr. Delaven had meant only to accompany the invalid home, consult withtheir local physician, and take his departure after a visit to Mrs. McVeigh, and possibly a sight of their new battlefield beside Kenneth, if his command was not too far away. Kenneth McVeigh was Col. McVeigh now, to the great delight of thesister, who loved men who could fight. On his return from Paris hehad, at his own request, and to the dismay of his family, been sent tothe frontier. At the secession of his state he was possessed of acaptaincy, which he resigned, returned home, and in six weeks tendereda regiment, fully equipped at his own expense, to the Confederategovernment. His offer had been accepted and himself made a colonel. His regiment had already seen one year of hard service, were veterans, with a colonel of twenty-five--a colonel who had been carried homewounded unto death, the surgeons said, from the defeat of FortDonaldson. He had belied their prophecies of death, however, and whilenot yet equal to the rigors of camp life, he had accepted a commissionabroad of decided importance to his government, and became one of thecommittee to deal with certain English sympathizers who were fittingout vessels for the Confederate navy. Mrs. McVeigh had been called to Mobile by the serious illness of anaged relative and had been detained by something much less dreary, themarriage of her brother, who had command of a garrison at that point. Thus barred from seeing either of his former Parisian friends, Delavenwould have gone back to Charleston, or else gone North or West to viewa new land in battle array. But Mr. Loring's health, or Miss Loring's entreaties had interferedwith both those plans. He could not desert a young lady on anisolated plantation with only the slaves about her, and a partialparalytic to care for, especially when all the most capablephysicians were at military posts, and no one absolutely reliablenearer than Charleston. So he had promised to stay, and had advised Miss Loring to induce Mrs. Nesbitt to remain until a few weeks' rest and the atmosphere of homewould, he hoped, have a beneficial influence on the invalid. All his suggestions had been carried out. Aunt Sajane (who had not aniece or nephew in the world, yet was "aunt" to all the young folks)was to remain, also Evilena, until the return of Mr. McVeigh, afterwhich they all hoped Mr. Loring could be persuaded to move up theriver to a smaller estate belonging to Gertrude, adjoining TheTerrace, as the nearness of friends would be a great advantage underthe circumstances. The isolation of Loringwood had of late becomeoppressive to its mistress, who strongly advocated its sale. They hadenough land without, and she realized it was too large a tract to bemanaged properly or to profit so long as her uncle was unable to seeto affairs personally. But above all else, the loneliness of it wasirksome since her return. "Though we never did use to think Loringwood isolated, did we, Gideon?" asked Mrs. Nesbitt, who remembered the house when full ofguests, and the fiddles and banjos of the colored musicians alwaysready for dance music. "Relentless circumstances over (he called it ovah, and Delavendelighted in the charming dialect of the South, as illustrated by theJudge) which we have no control have altered conditions through thisentire (entiah) commonwealth. But, no. I should not call Loringwoodexactly isolated, with the highway of the Salkahatchie at its door. " "But when no one travels the highway?" said Delaven, whose commentshad aroused the discussion. "No one but black hunters in log canoeshave I seen come along it for a week, barring yourselves. Faith, Ishould think their presence alone would be enough to give a young ladynervous chills, the daily and nightly fear of insurrection. " The Judge smiled, indulgently, willing to humor the fancies offoreigners, who were not supposed to understand American institutions. "Your ideas would be perfectly sound, my dear sir, if you were dealingwith any other country, where the colored man is the recognizedservant of the land and of the land owners. But we of the South, sir, understand their needs and just the proper amount of control necessaryto be enforced for mutual protection. They have grown up under thattraining until it is a part of themselves. There are refractoryblacks, of course, just as there are worthless demoralized whites, butI assure you, sir, I voice the sentiments of our people when I statethat the families of Southern planters feel much more secure whenguarded by their colored folk than they would if surrounded by a troopof Northern soldiery. There have been no cases where white women andchildren have had reason to regret having trusted to the black man'sguardianship, sir. In that respect I believe we Southrons hold aunique place in history. The evils of slavery, perfectly true in manylands, are not true here. The proofs of it are many. Their dependenceon each other is mutual. Each understands and respects that fact, sir, and the highest evidence of it is shown when the master marches tomeet their common enemy, and leaves his wife and children to the careof the oldest or most intelligent of his bondsmen. "I tell you, sir, the people of Europe cannot comprehend the tiesbetween those two races, because the world has seen nothing like it. The Northern people have no understanding of it, because, sir, theirnatures are not such as to call forth such loyalty. They are a cold, unresponsive people, and the only systematic cruelty ever practicedagainst the colored folks by Americans has been by the New Englandslavers, sir. The slave trade has always been monopolized by theNorthern folks in this country--by the puritanical New Englanders whoused to sell the pickaninnies at so much a pound, as cattle or sheepare sold. "They are no longer able to derive a profit from it, hence theirdesire to abolish the revenue of the South. I assure you, sir, if thecolored man could endure the climate of their bleak land there wouldbe no shouting for abolition. " It was only natural that Delaven should receive a good deal ofinformation those days from the Southern side of the question. Much ofit was an added education to him--the perfect honesty of the speakers, the way in which they entered heart and soul into the discussion oftheir state's rights, the extreme sacrifices offered up, the lives oftheir sons, the wealth, the luxury in which they had lived, all givenup without protest for the cause. Women who had lived and ruled likequeens over the wide plantations, were now cutting their livingexpenses lower and lower, that the extra portion saved might bedevoted to their boys at the front. The muslins and linens forhousehold purposes were used as Gertrude Loring was using them now;everything possible was converted into bandages for hospital use. "I simply don't dare let the house servants do it, " she explained, inreply to the Judge's query. "They could do the work, of course, butthey never have had to practice economy, and I can't undertake toteach it to them as well as myself, and to both at the same time. Oh, yes, Margeret is capable, of course, but she has her hands full towatch those in the cook house. " Her smile was very bright and contented. It hinted nothing of thestraightened circumstances gradually surrounding them, making a closewatch in all directions absolutely necessary. Affairs were reaching astage where money, except in extravagant quantities, was almostuseless. The blockade had raised even the most simple articles to theprice of luxuries. All possessions, apart from their home productions, must be husbanded to the utmost. "You are a brave little woman, Miss Gertrude, " said the Judge, bowingbefore her with a certain reverence. "All the battles of this war arenot fought to the sound of regimental music, and our boys at the frontshoot straighter when they have at home women like you to guard. Ourwomen of the South are an inspiration--an inspiration!" No courtier of storied Castile could have rivaled the grace of mannerwith which the praise was spoken, so thought Delaven, for all hismental pictures of Castillian courtesies revealed them as a bittheatrical, while the Judge was sincerity itself. As he spoke, the soft sound of wheels was heard in the hall, andMatthew Loring, in his invalid chair, was rolled slowly out on theveranda by his man, Ben. Margeret followed with a light robe over herarm, and a fan. "Not there, Ben, " she said, in the low tone of one giving an orderentirely personal and not intended to be heard by the others, "thedraught does seem to coax itself round that corner, and--" "Not a bit of it, " broke in the master of Loringwood, abruptly. "Nomore draught there than anywhere else. It's all right, Ben, wheel meto that railing. " Margeret silently spread the robe over his knees, laid the fan in hislap, adjusted the cushion back of his head, and re-entered the housewith a slight gesture to Ben, who followed her. "She's a puzzle entirely, " remarked Delaven, who was watching themfrom the rustic seat nearest the steps. Evilena was seated there, andhe stood beside her. "Margeret? Why?" she asked, in the same low tone. "I'll tell you. Not thirty minutes ago I told her he could be broughtout and have his chair placed so that the sun would be on his limbs, but not on his head. Now, what does she do but pilot him out anddiscourage him from going to just the corner that was best. " "And you see the result, " whispered the girl, who was laughing. "Margeret knows a lot. Just see how satisfied he is, now, thesatisfaction of having had to fight some one. If he knew it wasanybody's orders, even yours, he would not enjoy that corner half somuch. That is the sweet disposition of our Uncle Matthew. " Overhanging eyebrows of iron-gray were the first thing to arrestattention in Matthew Loring's face. They shadowed dark expressive eyesin a swarthy setting. His hair and mustache were of the same grey, andvery bushy. He had the broad head and square jaw of the aggressivetype. Not a large man, even in his prime, he looked almost frail as hesettled back in his chair. He was probably sixty, but looked older. "Still knitting socks, Mistress Nesbitt?" he inquired, with a causticsmile. "Charming occupation. Do you select that quality and color forany beauties to be found in them? I can remember seeing your motherusing knitting needles on this very veranda thirty--yes, forty yearsago. But I must say I never saw her make anything heavier than lace. And what's all this, Gertrude? Do you entertain your visitors thesedays by dragging out the old linen for their inspection? Why are youdallying with the servants' tasks?" "No; it is my own task, uncle, " returned his niece, with unruffledserenity. "Not a very beautiful one, but consoling because of itsusefulness. " "Usefulness--huh! In your mother's day ladies were not expected to beuseful. " "Alas for us that the day is past, " said the girl, tearing off anotherstrip of muslin. "Now, do you wonder that I adore my Judge?" whispered Evilena toDelaven. CHAPTER XIII. Despite his natural irritability, to which no one appeared to pay muchattention, Mr. Loring grew almost cordial under the geniality andhopefulness emanating from Judge Clarkson, whom he was really veryglad to see, and of whom he had numberless queries to ask regardingthe hostilities of the past few months. The enforced absence abroad had kept him in a highly nervouscondition, doing much to counteract the utmost care given him by themost learned specialists of Europe. Half his fortune had been lost bythose opening guns at Sumter. His warehouses, piled with great cottonbales for shipment to England, had been fired--burned to the ground. The capture of Beaufort, near which was another plantation of his, hadmade further wreck for him, financially, and whatever the foreigndoctors might to with his body, his mind was back in Carolina, eager, questioning, combative. He was burning himself up with a fever ofanxiety. "It is all of no use, Mademoiselle, " said the most distinguishedspecialist whom she had consulted, "Monsieur, your uncle will live formany years if but the mind is composed--no shocks, no heavy loads tocarry. But the mind, you perceive--it is impossible for him to allowhimself to be composed away from his country. We have done all thatcan be done here. To return to his own land under the care of acompetent physician, of course, would be now the best arrangement Icould suggest. He may live there for many years; here, he will mostcertainly die. " At Loring's request Dr. Delaven was the physician who had beenapproached with the proposal to accompany him to Carolina. Why, itwould be hard to guess, for they were totally unlike in every way--hadnot, apparently, a single taste in common. But the physician in chargeof the hospital approved his judgment. "It is a most wise one, Monsieur Loring. Dr. Delaven has shown as hisspecialty cases similar to your own, and has proven most successful. Withal, he is adventurous. He will enjoy the new country, and he is ofyour own language. All I could do for you he can do, perhaps more; forI am old, while he is young and alive with enthusiasms with which tosupplement his technical knowledge. " Gertrude only delayed their departure long enough to write Col. McVeigh, who was in London. He secured for them transportation toNassau under the guardianship of an official who would take mostextreme care that the party be conveyed from there by some blockaderunner to be depended upon. And that the Federal blockade often failedof its purpose was evidenced by the fact that they were quietly landedone night in a little inlet south of Charleston, which they reached bycarriage, and rested there a few days before attempting the journeyoverland. The doctors were correct as to the beneficial results of the homecoming of Loring. It acted like a tonic and the thought of outwittingthe Yankees of that blockade pleased him immensely. He never gave athought to the girl who watched with pale face and sleepless eyesthrough that dash for the shore. Delaven mentally called him a selfishbrute. The visit of Judge Clarkson was partially an affair of business, butafter a private interview with Delaven he decided to dismiss all ideaof business settlements until later. Nothing of an annoying orirritating nature must be broached to the convalescent just yet. The Judge confessed that it was an affair over which Mr. Loring hadbeen deeply chagrined--a clear loss of a large sum of money, andperhaps it would be safer, under the circumstances, to await Col. McVeigh's return. Col. McVeigh was equally interested, and neither henor the Judge would consent to risk an attack similar to thatexperienced by Mr. Loring during the bombardment of Port Royalentrance. He was at that time on his Beaufort plantation, where theblue coats overran his place after they landed, and it was known tohave been nothing else than a fit of rage at their victory, and rageat the planters who fled on all sides of him, which finally ended inthe prostration for which the local physicians could find no remedy. Then it was that Gertrude took him abroad, with the result described. It was understood the prostration had taught him one useful lesson--heno longer cultivated the rages for which he had been locally famous. As he was unable to stamp and roar, he compromised on sneers andcaustic retorts, from which he appeared to derive an amount ofsatisfaction tonical in its effects. The Judge was giving Delaven the details of the Beaufort affair whenBen wheeled his master into the room. There was an awkward pause, aslight embarrassment, but he had caught the words "Port Royalentrance, " and comprehended. "Huh! Talking over that disaster, Judge?" he remarked. "I tell youwhat it is, you can't convey to a foreigner anything of the feeling ofthe South over those misfortunes; to have Sherman's tramps gorough-shod over your lawns and rest themselves with braggadocio atyour tables--the most infernal riff-raff--" "One moment, " interposed the Judge, blandly, with a view to check theunpleasant reminiscences. "Did I not hear you actually praise one ofthose Yankees?--in fact, assert that he was a very fine fellow?" "Yes, yes; I had forgotten him. A Yankee captain; ordered theblue-coats to the right-about when he found there was only a sick manand a girl there; and more than that, so long as those scavengers wereashore and parading around Beaufort he kept men stationed at my gatesfor safeguard duty. A fine fellow, for a Yankee. I can only accountfor it by the fact that he was a West Point graduate, and was thusthrown, to a certain extent, into the society and under the influencesof our own men. Kenneth, Col. McVeigh, had known Monroe there--hisname was Monroe--Captain John Monroe--at Beaufort his own men calledhim Captain Jack. " "Just as she was stepping on ship board: 'Your name I'd like to know?' And with a smile she answered him, 'My name is Jack Monroe!'" sang a fresh voice outside the window, and then the curtain was pushedaside and Evilena's brown head appeared. "I really could not help that, Mr. Loring, " she said, laughingly. "Thetemptation was too great. Did you never whistle 'Jack Monroe' when youwere a boy?" "No, I can't say I ever did, " he replied, testily. "It's intensely interesting, " she continued, seating herself on thewindow sill and regarding him with smiling interest, made bold by thepresence of her champion, the Judge. "Aunt Sajane taught it to me, anold, old sailor song. It's all about her sweetheart, Jack, not AuntSajane's sweetheart, but the girl's. Her wealthy relatives separatethem by banishing him to the wars somewhere, and she dressed up inboy's clothes to follow him. "'She went unto a tailor And dressed in men's array, And thence unto a sailor And paid her fare away. '" recited Evilena, with uplifted finger punctuating the sentences. "Wasn't she brave? Well, she found him, and they were married. Thereare seven verses of it. " "I--I should think that quite enough, " he remarked, dropping his headforward and looking at her from under the overhanging brows. "Do youmean to sing them all to me?" "Perhaps, some day, " she promised, showing all her teeth and droppingthe curtain. "So now this couple's married, Despite their bitter foe, And she's back again in England With her darling, Jack Monroe. " The two visitors laughed outright as this information was wafted tothem from the veranda, the old song growing more faint as the singercircled the house in search of Gertrude. "A true daughter of the South, Dr. Delaven, " said the Judge, with atender cadence betraying how close to his heart was his pride in allSouthern excellence--"child and woman in one, sir--a charmingcombination. " "Right you are, Judge, in that; may their numbers never be less. " Evilena had found Gertrude and at once confessed her daring. "Don't know how I ever did have courage to pop my head in there. AuntSajane--but he talked of Jack Monroe just as I passed the window, andI pretended I thought he meant the old song (I do wonder if heever--ever sang or whistled?) Then I told him what it was all about, and promised to sing it to him some day, and I know by the sort ofsmile he had that he wanted to order me out of the room as he used towhen I was little. " "Lena, Lena!" and Gertrude shook her head admonishingly at the girl, though she smiled at the recital. "Oh, you are an angel, Gertrude; so you never have temptations to dothings for pure mischief. But I wish you'd tell me who this JackMonroe is. " "A Federal officer who was of service to us when Beaufort was taken. " "A _Yankee_!"--and her horror was absolute. "Well, I should not thinkyou'd accept service from such a person. " "Honey!" said Aunt Sajane, in mild chiding. "We had no choice, " said Gertrude, quietly; "afterwards we learned heand Kenneth had been friends at West Point; so he was really agentleman. " "And in the _Yankee Army_?" queried the irrepressible. "Good-bye, JackMonroe, I shan't sing you again. " "You might be faithful to one verse for Gertrude's sake, " venturedAunt Sajane. "Gertrude's sake?" "Why, yes; he protected them from the intrusion of the Yankees. " "Oh--h! Aunt Sajane, I really thought you were going to ferret out aromance--a Romeo and Juliet affair--their families at war, andthemselves--" "Evilena!" "When Gertrude says 'Evilena' in _that_ tone I know it is time tostop, " said the girl, letting go the kitten she was patting, andputting her arm around Gertrude. "You dear, sensible Gertrude, don'tmind one word I say; of course I did not mean it. Just as if we didnot have enough Romeos in our own army to go around. " The significant glance accompanying her words made Gertrude lookslightly conscious. "You are a wildly romantic child, " she said, smoothing the chestnuttinted waves of the girl's hair, "and pray, tell us how many of ourmilitary Romeos are singing 'Sweet Evilena, ' and wearing yourcolors?" Dr. Delaven passed along the hall in time to hear this banteringquery, and came opposite the door when this true daughter of the Southwas counting all the fingers of one pretty hand. "Just make it a half dozen, " he suggested, "for I'm wearing yet thesunflower you gave me, " and he pointed to the large daisy in hisbuttonhole. "No, I'm always honest with Gertrude, and she must have the truenumber. We are talking of military men, and all others are barredout. " "So you informed me the first day of our acquaintance, " he assented, arranging the daisy more to his liking. "And I've never forgiven you for that first day, " she retorted, nodding her head in a way suggestive of some dire punishment waitingfor him in the future. "It was dreadful, the way he led me on to saythings, Aunt Sajane, for how was I to guess he was the doctor? I wasexpecting a man like--well, like Dr. Allison, only more so; verylearned, very severe, with eye glasses through which he would examineus as though we were new specimens discovered in the wilds of America. I certainly did not expect to find a frivolous person who woredaisies, and--oh!" as she caught a glimpse of some one coming up thepath from the landing--"there comes Nelse. Gertrude, _can't_ I havehim in here?" "May I ask if Nelse is one of the five distinguished by your colors?"asked Delaven. "Nelse is distinguished by his own colors, which is a fine mahogany, and he is the most interesting old reprobate in Carolina--a wizard, ifyou please--a sure enough voodoo doctor, and the black historian ofthe Salkahatchie. May I call him?" "I really do not think uncle likes to have him around, " said Gertrude, dubiously; "still--oh, yes, call him if you like. Don't let him tireyou with his stories; and keep him out of uncle's way. He would besure to tell him about those late runaways. " "I promise to stand guard in that case myself, Miss Loring; for I havea prejudice against allowing witch-doctors access to my patients. " Mrs. Nesbitt arose as if to follow Gertrude from the room, hesitated, and resumed her chair. "When I was a girl we young folks were all half afraid of Nelse--notthat he ever harmed any one, " she confessed. "The colored folks saidhe was a wizard, but I never did give credit to that. " "Aunt Chloe, she says he is!" "Oh, yes; and Aunt Chloe sees ghosts, and talks with goblins, to hearher tell the story; but that old humbug is just as much afraid of amouse as--as I am. " "Nelse is a free nigger, " explained Evilena, turning from the windowafter having motioned him to enter. "He was made free by his oldmaster, Marmaduke Loring, and the old rascal--I mean Nelse, boughthimself a wife, paid for her out of his jockey earnings, and when sheproved a disappointment what do you think he did?" Delaven could not get beyond a guess, as the subject of her discoursehad just then appeared in the door. He was a small, black man, quite old, but with a curious attempt atjauntiness, as he made his three bows with his one hand on his breast, the other holding his cane and a jockey cap of ancient fashion. Itcontrasted oddly with the swallow-tailed coat he wore, which hadevidently been made for a much larger man; the sleeves came to hisfinger tips, and the tails touched his heels. The cloth of which itwas made was very fine dark blue, with buttons of brass. His waistcoatof maroon brocade came half way to his knees. Warm as the day was hewore a broad tie of plaid silk arranged in a bow, above which a whitemuslin collar rose to his ears. He was evidently an ancient beau ofthe plantations in court dress. "Yo' servant, Miss Sajane, Miss Lena; yo' servant, Mahstah, " he saidwith a bow to each. "I done come pay my respects to the family whatgot back. I'm powerful glad to heah they got safe ovah that ocean. " "Oh, yes; you're very thankful when you wait two whole weeks beforeyou come around to say 'howdy. ' Have you moved so far into the swampyou can't even hear when the family comes home? Sit down, you'retired likely. Tell us all the news from your alligator pasture. " "My king! Miss Lena, you jest the same tant'lizin' little lady. Yo'growen' up don't make you outgrow nothen' but yo' clothes. My 'gatahpasture? I show yo' my little patch some o' these days--show yo' whatkind 'gatahs pasture theah; why, why, I got 'nigh as many hogs as MahsMatt has niggahs these days. " "Yes, and he hasn't so many as he did have, " remarked Mrs. Nesbitt, significantly. "You know anything about where Scip and Aleck aregone?" "Who--me? Miss Sajane? You think I keep time on all the runaway boysthese days? They too many for me. It sutenly do beat all how theyscatter. Yo' all hear tell how one o' Cynthy's boys done run away, too? Suah as I tell you--that second boy, Steve! Ole Mahs Mastersongot him dogs out fo' him--tain't no use; nevah touched the track once. He'll nevah stop runnen' till he reach the Nawth an' freeze to death. I alles tole Cynthy that Steve boy a bawn fool. " "Do you mean your son Steve, or your grandson?" queried Mrs. Nesbitt. "No'm, 'taint little Steve; his mammy got too much sense to let himgo; but that gal, Cynthy--humph!" and his disdain of her perceptivepowers was very apparent. "But, Uncle Nelse, just remember Aunt Cynthy must be upwards ofseventy. Steve is fifty if he is a day. How do you suppose she couldcontrol him, even if she knew of his intention, which is doubtful. " "She nevah would trounce that rascal, even in his youngest days, "asserted Nelse, earnestly; "and as the 'bush is bent the tree'sdeclined. ' I use to kote that scripper to her many's the day, but howmuch good it do to plant cotton seed on stony groun' or sow rice onthe high lan'? Jes' that much good scripper words done Cynthy, an' nomore. " His tone betrayed a sorrowful but impersonal regret over therefractory Cynthia, and their joint offspring. Evilena laughed. "Where did you get so well acquainted with the scripture, Nelse?" sheasked. "I know you never did learn it from your beloved old Mahs DukeLoring. I want you to tell this gentleman all about the old racingdays. This is Dr. Delaven (Nelse made a profound bow). He has seengreat races abroad and hunted foxes in Ireland. I want you to tell himof the bear hunts, and the horses you used to ride, and how you rodefor freedom. The race was so important, Dr. Delaven, that MarmadukeLoring promised Nelse his freedom if he won it, and he had beenoffered three thousand, five hundred dollars for Nelse, more thanonce. " "Nevah was worth as much to myself as I was to Mahs Duke, " said Nelse, shaking his head. "I tell yo' true, freedom was a sure enough hoodoo, far as I was concerned; nevah seemed to get so much out o' the horsesafter I was my own man; nevah seemed to see so much money as I ownedbefo', an' every plum thing I 'vested in was a failure from the start;there was that gal o' Mahs Masterson's--that there Cynthy--" The old man's garrulity was checked by the noiseless entrance ofMargeret. He gave a distinct start as he saw her. "I--I s'lute yo', Miss Retta, " he said, sweeping his cap along thefloor and bowing from where he sat. She glanced at him, bent her headslightly in acknowledgment, but did not address him. "Miss Loring asks to see you in the dining room, Mistress Nesbitt, "she said softly; then drawing a blind where the sun was too glaring, and opening another that the breeze might be more apparent, she passedsilently out. The old man never spoke until she disappeared. "My king!--she get mo' ghost-like every yeah, that Retta, " he said, while Evilena gathered up the ball of stocking yard and wound it forMrs. Nesbitt; "only the eyes o' that woman would tell a body who sheis, these days; seems like the very shape o' her face been changedsence she--" "Nelse, " said Mrs. Nesbitt, a trifle sharply, "whatever you do you arenot to let Mr. Loring know about those runaways; maybe you better keepout of his sight altogether this visit, for he's sure to ask questionsabout everything, and the doctor's orders are that he is not to seefolks or have any business talks--you understand? and nothing everdoes excite him so much as a runaway. " "Oh, yes, Miss Sajane, I un'stan'; I'll keep out. Hearen' how thingswas I jes' come down to see if Miss Gertrude needs any mo' helplooken' after them field niggahs. They nevah run away from _me_. " "Well"--and she halted doubtfully at the door--"I'll tell her. And ifyou want Dr. Delaven to hear about the old racing days, honey, hadn'tyou better take him into the library where the portraits are? I'm atrifle uneasy lest Mr. Loring should take a notion to come in here. Since he's commenced to walk a little he is likely to appear anywherebut in the library. He never does seem to like the library corner. " Delaven glanced at the library walls as the three advanced thereto--wallspaneled in natural cedar, and hung with large gilt frames here andthere between the cases of books. "I should think any man would like aroom like this, " he remarked, "especially when it holds one's own familyportraits. There is a picture most attractive--a fine make of a man. " "That Mahs Tom Loring, Miss Gertrude's father, " explained Nelse. "Jestas fine as he looks theah, Mahs Tom was, and ride!--king in heaven!but he could ride. 'Taint but a little while back since he was killed, twenty yeahs maybe--no, eighteen yeahs come Christmas. He wasfollowen' the houn's, close on, when his horse went down an' Mahs Tompicked up dead, his naik broke. His wife, Miss Leo Masterson, she was, she died some yeahs befo', when Miss Gertrude jest a little missy. Sothey carried him home from Larue plantation--that wheah he getkilled--an' bury him back yonder beside her, " and he pointed to agroup of pines across the field to the north; "so, after that--" "Oh, Nelse, tell about live things--not dead ones, " suggested Evilena, "tell about the races and your Mahs Duke, how he used to go horsebackall the way to Virginia, to the races, and even to Philadelphia, andhow all the planters gathered for hundreds of miles, some of the oldones wearing small clothes and buckled shoes, and how--" "Seems like you done mind them things so well 'taint no use tryen' torake up the buried reck'lections o' the pas' times, " said the old man, rebukingly, and with a certain pomposity. "I reckon now you 'memberall the high quality gentlemen. The New Market Jockey Club, an' howthey use to meet reg'lar as clock-work the second Tuesday in May andOctober; an' how my Mahs Duke, with all the fine ruffles down hisshirt front, an' his proud walk, an' his voice soft as music, an' hisgrip hard as steel, was the kingpin o' all the sports--the grandestgentleman out o' Calliny, an' carried his head high as a king ovah allJerusalem--I reckon you done mind all that theah, Miss Lena. " "I will, next time, " laughed the girl, "go on, Nelse, we would ratherhear what you remember. " "I don't reckon the names o' the ole time sportin' gentlemen, an'old time jockeys, an' old time stock, would count much with agentleman from foreign lan's, " said the old man, with a deprecatingbow to Delaven. "But my Mahs Duke Loring nevah had less than sixhorses in trainen' at once. I was stable-boy, an' jes' trained upwith the colts till Mahs Duke saw I could ride. I sartainly hadluck with racin' stock, seein' which he gave me clean charge o' thewhole racin' stable; 'sides which, keepen' my weight down to eightypounds let me in for the jockey work--them was days. I was sent ovahinto Kaintucky, an' up Nawth far as Long Island, to ride races fo'otha gentlemen--friends o' Mahs Duke's, an' every big race I run putnigh onto a hundred dollar plump into my own pocket. Money?--myking! I couldn't see cleah how I evah could spend all the money I gotthem days, cause I didn't have to spend a cent fo' clothes or feed, an' I had mo' presents give to me by the quality folks what Itrained horses fer than I could count or reck'lect. "The ride Miss Lena done tole yo' of--that happen the yeah Mahs Dukeimported Lawd Chester, half brother to Bonnie Bell, that won thesweepstakes at Petersburg, an' sire o' Glenalven out o' Lady Clare, who was owned by Mahs Hampton ovah in Kaintucky. Well, sah, the yeahhe imported Chester was the yeah he an' Mr. Enos Jackson had theset-to 'bout their two-yeah-olds--leastwise the colts _seemed_ to bethe cause; but I don't mind tellen', now, that I nevah did take stockin that notion, my own self. Women folks get mixed up even in racefights an' I mind one o' the han'some high steppers o' Philadelphiaway down theah that time, an' Mistah Jackson he got a notion hischances mighty good, till long come Mahs Duke an' glance out cornerof his eye, make some fine speeches, an'--farwell, Mistah Jackson!Mistah Jackson wa'nt jes' what you'd call the highest quality, thoughhe did own powerful stretches o' lan'--three plantations in NawthCalliny, 'sides lots o' other property. He had a colt called Darker he'lowed nothen' could keep in sight of, an' he _was_ good stuff--thatcolt. Mistah Jackson would a had easy riden' fo' the stakes if me an'Mahs Duke hadn't fetch Betty Pride up to show 'em what we could do. Well, the upshot of it was that part on account o' that Nawthenflirtatious young pusson what liked Mahs Duke the best, an' part onaccount o' Betty Pride, Mistah Jackson act mighty mischievous-like, an' twenty minutes afo' time was called I 'scovered that boy, JimPeters, what was to ride Betty Pride, had been drugged--jest a trifle, not enough to leave him stupid--but too much to leave him ride, brightas he need be that day. He said Mistah Jackson's stable boss had givehim a swallow o' apple jack, an' king heaven!--but Mahs Duke turnwhite mad when I tole him. He say to Jim's brother Mose--Mose was hisbody servant--'Moses, fetch me my pistols, ' jest quiet like that;'Moses, fetch me my pistols. ' Whew!--but I was scared, an' I says, 'No, sah, ' I says, 'Mahs Duke, fo' heaven's sake, don't stop the race, an' I'll win it fo' you yet. Mistah Jackson betten nigh bout all heown on Darker; get yo' frien's to take all bets fo' you, an' egg himon. Betty Pride ain't been tampered with!--take my word fo' it, she'llwin even with my extra weight--now, Mahs Duke, fo' God's sake, ' saysI, 'go out theah an' fool them rascals; don't let on you know 'bouttheir trick; take all theah bets, an' trust me. I trained that colt, an' we'll _win_, Mahs Duke--if we don't--well, sah, you can jest usethem pistols on _me_. ' I mos' got down on my knees a' beggen' him, an' his blue eyes, like steel, measuren' me an' weighen' my words, then he said: 'I'll risk it, Nelse, but--heaven help yo' if yo' failme!' "I knew good enough I'd need _some_ powerful help if I come in second, fo' he had a monstrous temper, but kindest man you evah met whenthings went his way. Well, jest as I was jumpen' into my clothes, an'Mahs Duke had started to the ring, I called out, half joken: 'Oh, MahsDuke, I'm a dead niggah if I come in second, but what yo' gwine togive me if I come in first?' "He turned at that an' said, sharp an' quick an' decided--'Yo'freedom, Nelse. ' My king!--that made me shaky, I could scarce get intomy clothes. I knew he been offered big money fo' me, many's the time, an' now I was gwine to get it all my own self. "Mahs Duke done jes' like I begged him--kep' steady an' cool an' takeup all Mistah Jackson's bets, and _he_ was jest betten wild till hesaw who was on Betty Pride, an' I heah tell he come a nigh fainten'when he got sight o' me; but Mahs Duke's look at 'im must a jes'propped him up an' sort o' fo'ced him to brave it out till we comearoun'. It was a sweepstakes an' repeat, an' Betty Pride come ineighteen inches ahead, an' that Nawthen lady what conjure MistahJackson so, she fastened roses in Betty Pride's bridle, an' gave me awhole bouquet--with one eye on Mahs Duke all the time, of course, butLordy!--he wan't thinken' much about ladies jes' that minute. He wonovah thousand dollars in money, 'sides two plantations off MistahJackson, who nevah dared enter the jockey club aftah that day. An'Mahs Duke was good as his word 'bout the freedom--he give it to meright theah; that's my Mahs Duke. " "And a fine sort of a man he was, then, " commented Delaven, lookingmore closely at the strong, fine pictured face, and the bushy, leonine shock of tawny hair and the eyes that smiled down with atwinkle of humor in their blue depths. There was a slight likeness toMatthew Loring in the heavy brows and square chin, but the smile ofthe father was genial--that of the son, sardonic. "Yes, sah, " agreed Nelse, when comment was made upon the likeness, "Mahs Matt favor him a mite, but none to speak of. Mahs Tom more likehim in natur'. Mahs Matt he done take mo' likeness to his gran'ma'sfolks, who was French, from L'weesiana. A mighty sharp eye she got, an' all my Mahs Duke's niggahs walk straight, I tell yo', when shecome a visiten' to we all. I heard tell how _her_ mother was some sorto' great lady from French court, packed off to L'weesiana 'cause o'some politics like they have ovah theah; an' in her own country shewas a princess or some high mightiness, an' most o' her family waskilled in some rebeloution--woman, too! All saved her was getten toOrleans, an' _her_ daughter, she married ole Matthew Loring, the daddyo' them all, so far back as I know. " The old man had warmed to his task, as floods of reminiscences camesweeping through his memory. He grew more important, and let fall theborrowed cloak of servility; his head was perched a little higher anda trifle askew as he surveyed them. The reflected grandeur of pastdays was on him, and in comparison modernity seemed common-place. Allthese brilliant, dashing, elegant men and women of his youth weregone. He was the only human echo left of their greatness, and hisdiminutive person grew more erect as he realized his importance as alandmark of the past. "There!" said Evilena, triumphantly, "isn't that as interesting asyour Irish romances? Where would you find a landlord of England orIreland who would make a free gift of three thousand dollars to aservant? They simply could not conceive of such generosity unless itwere the gift of a king or a prince, and then it would be put down intheir histories for all men to remember. " "True for you, " assented Delaven, with the brogue he was fond of usingat times when with those elected to comradeship; "true for you, mylady, but you folks who are kings and queens in your own right shouldbe a bit easy on the unfortunates who can be only subjects. " "They don't need to be subjects, " she insisted; "they could asserttheir independence just as we did. " "Oh, sometimes it isn't so bad--this being a subject. I've found liferather pleasant down here in the South, where you are all in trainingfor the monarchy you mean to establish. I don't mind being a subjectat all, at all, if it's to the right queen. " "But we didn't come in here to talk politics, " she said, hastily. "Uncle Nelse, do tell Dr. Delaven about your freedom days, and all. Heis a stranger here and wants to learn all about the country andcustoms. You've traveled, Nelse, so you can tell him a lot. " "Yes, reckon I could. Yes, sah, I done travelled considerable; theonliest advantage I could conjure up in freedom was goen' wherever thefit took me to go--jes' runnen' roun' loose. My king! I got good an'tiahed runnen, I tell yo'. Went cleah out to the Mississippi river, Idid--spent all my money, an' started back barefoot, deed I did, an' meworth three thousan' five hundred dollars! Nevah did know how littlesense I got till I was free to get myself in trouble if I liked, an'didn't have no Mahs Duke to get me out again. More'n that, seem like Idone lost my luck some way--lost races I had no right to lose, tillseem like owners they got scary 'bout me, an' when I git far away frommy own stamping groun', seem like I wasn't no sort o' use at all. Byeand bye I fell in with Judge Warner, who was a great friend o' MahsDukes, and I jes' up an' tells him I done been conjured along o' thatfreedom Mahs Duke done give me. My king!--how he did laugh. He offeredme a good berth down on his place, but I say, 'no, sah; all I want isMahs Duke an' old Calliny'; so he helps me to some races an' seemslike the very notion o' goen' home done fetch me good luck right off, 'cause I made good winnen' on his bay filly, Creole, an' soon as I gotsome money I bid far'well to wanderen' an' made fo' home. "I alles spishuned Mahs Duke know mo' 'bout my travels than he let on, fo' he jes' laughed when he see me an' say: 'All right, Nelse, I beenlooken' fo' you some time. Now if yo' done got yo' fill o' seen' theworld, 'spose yo' go down an' look at the new colt I got, an' take yo'ole place in the stable. Yo' jes' got back in time to spruce up thecarriage team fo' my wedden'. "Well, sah, yo' could a' knocked me down with a feathah. Mahs Duke wasthirty-five, an' ovah, an' had kep' his own bachelor place fo' tenyeah, loose an' free. Then all at once a new family come down heahfrom Marylan'. They was the Mastersons, an' a Miss Bar'bra Vaughn cometo visit them, an' it was all ovah with Mahs Duke. She jest won in awalk--that little lady. "An' he done took her all the way to Orleans fo' wedden' trip. Ididn't go 'long. I was done tired out with travel an' 'sides that, I'dbeen riden' ovah an' back to the Masterson plantation fo' Mahs Duketill I took up with a likely brown gal they fetched with them from upNawth, an' of all niggahs, Nawthen niggahs is the off-scourins o' theyeath--copy aftah theh masters, I reckon, fo' all the real, double-distilled quality folks I met up with in all my travels weregentlemen o' the South, sah. Yes, sah, they may breed good qualitysomewheahs up theah, but all o' them sent down heah as samples ain'tnowhars with the home-bred article, sah. "But I didn't know all that them days, an' that Cynthy o' MistahMasterson's look mighty peart an' talk mighty knowen', an' seem likeas we both hed travelled considerable we both hed a heap of talk'bout; an' the upshot of it was I felt boun' an' sot to buy that gal, if so be they'd give me a fair chance an' plenty o' time. Well, sah, Italk it ovah with Mahs Duke, an' he fix it so I can have Cynthy fo'three hundred dollars. "Seem like it's a mighty small price to ask fo' a likely young gallike her, but I so conjured with the notion o' buyen' her I nevahstopped to study into the reasons why o' things, special as I had parto' the money right by me to pay; a pocket full o' money gets a maninto mo' trouble mostly than an empty one. "Well, sah, I hadn't owned her no time, till I was mo' sot in my mindthan evah as how freedom was a hoodoo. If I hadn't been free I'd nevahtook the notion to have a free wife o' my own, an' I'd a been saved alot o' torment, _I_ tell yo'. "She jest no good no how--that Cynthy. How they got work out o' herovah on the Masterson plantation I don't know, fo' _I_ couldn't. Thinkshe'd even cook vittels fo' her own self if she could help it? No, sah! She too plum lazy. She jes' had a notion that bein' free meantdoen' nothen' 'tall fo' no body. It needed a whole meeten' house fullo' religion to get along with that gal, 'thout cussen' at her, an' asI'd done trained in the race course an' not in a pulpit, seem like Inoways fit for the 'casion. But I devilled along with her for threeyeahs, and she had two boys by that time--didn't make no sort o'difference. She got worse 'stead o' better o' her worthlessness, butI tried to put up with it till she jest put the cap sheaf on the hullbusiness by getten' religion up thah in the gum tree settlement, an' Idrew the line at that, _I_ tell yo. ' Thah she was, howlen' happy everynight in the week 'long-side o' Brother Peter Mosely. Brother Mosely'swife didn't seem to favah their religion no more'n I did; so, seen' asI couldn't follow roun' aftah her with a hickory switch, an' couldn'tkeep her home or at work no othah way, I just got myself a divorce, an' settled down alone on a patch o' lan' I bought o' Mahs Duke, an' Ikep' on looken' aftah his stables long as he kept any. He died justafore young Mahs Tom married Miss Leo Masterson. " "But what of the divorce? Did it improve her religion or cure herlaziness?" asked Delaven, who found more of novelty in the black man'saffairs than the master's. "Who--Cinthy? I just sold her right back to Mistah John Masterson fo'twenty-five dollar less than I paid, an' the youngsters they went intothe bargain; fo' I tell yo', sah, them Nawthen niggahs is bad stock tomanage--if they's big or little; see what happened that Steve o' hern;done run off, he has, an' him ole enough to know bettah. Oh, yes, sah, I up an' I sold the whole batch; that how come I get my money back fo'her, an' stock my little patch o' groun'. Yes, sah, she got scared an'settle down when I done sold her back again. Mahs Masterson he got mo'work out o' her than I could; he knew mo' 'bout managen' them Nawthenniggahs. " "Wouldn't he be a find for those abolitionists?" asked Evilena, laughing. "Nelse, you've been very entertaining, and if your MissGertrude needs you to stay about the place we'll steal hours to hearabout old times. " "Thanky, Miss Lena; yo' servant, sah; it sartainly does do me good toget in heah an' see all these heah faces again--mighty fine they are. I mind when some o' them was painted. Mahs Duke's was done in Orleans;so was Miss Bar'bra, it's in the parlah. But Mahs Tom--he had anartis' painter come down from Wash'nton to do Miss Gertrude's, oncewhen she just got ovah sick spell--he scared lest she die an' nevahhave no likeness; her ma, she died sudden that-a-way. We all use tothink it bad luck to get likenesses; I nevah had none; Mahs Matt nevahhad none; an' we're a liven' yet. All the rest had 'em took an' wheahare they?" "Now, Uncle Nelse, you don't mean to say it shortens people's lives tohave their picture taken?" "Don't like to say, Miss Lena, but curious things do happen in thisworld. That artist man, his name, Mistah Madden, he made Mahs Tom'slikeness, an' Mahs Tom got killed! An' all time Mahs Tom's likenesswas bein' done, an' all time Miss Gertrude's was a doin', that MistahMadden he just go 'stracted to paint one o' Retta to take 'way withhim. All the niggahs jest begged her not to let him, but she onlylaughed--she laughed most o' the time them days; an' Mahs Tom he sidedwith Mistah Madden, so she give consent, an' he painted two--onemonstrous big one to take 'way with him, an' then a teeny one fo' abreastpin; he give it to Retta 'cause she set still an' let him makethe big one. An' now what happened? Within a yeah Mahs Tom, he waskilled, an' Retta Caris, she about died o' some crazy brain fever, an'it was yeahs afore she knew her own name again; yes, went 'wilderedlike--she did; an' that's what two likenesses done to my sutainknowledge. " "Then I've hoodooed Dr. Delaven, for I made a pencil picture of himonly this morning. " "And if I should fall down stairs, or into the Salkahatchie, you willknow the primal reason for it. " Old Nelse shook his head at such frivolity. "Jes' 'cause you all ain't afraid don't take yo' no further offdanger, " he said, soberly. Then he followed Evilena to the kitchen, where his entrance was greeted with considerable respect. When Nelseappeared at Loringwood in his finest it was a sort of state affair inthe cook house. He was an honored guest with the grown folks, becausethe grandeurs he had witnessed and could tell of, and he was a causeof dread to the pickaninnies who were often threatened with banishmentto the Unc. Nelse glade, and they firmly believed he immediately soldall the little darkies who put foot in his domain. "Isn't he delightfully quaint?" asked the girl, rejoining Delaven. "Gertrude never does seem to find him interesting; but I do. She hasbeen used to him always, of course, and I haven't, and she thinks itwas awful for him to sell Cynthia, just because she got religion andwould not behave. Now, I think it's funny; don't you?" "Your historian has given me so many side-lights on slavery that I'mdazzled with the brilliancy of them; whether serious or amusing, it isastonishing. " "Only to strangers, " said the girl; "to us they are never puzzling;they are only grown-up children--even the wisest--and need to bemanaged like children. Those crazy abolitionists should hear Nelse onthe 'hoodoo' of freedom; I fancy he would astonish them. " "Not the slightest doubt of it, " agreed Delaven, who usually did agreewith Evilena--except when argument would prolong a tete-a-tete. CHAPTER XIV. Gertrude promptly assured old Nelse that the plantation needed noextra caretakers just then, the work was progressing very well sincetheir return. Nelse swept the jockey cap over his feet in a profoundbow, and sauntered around the house. The mistress of Loringwood askedEvilena to see if he had gone to his canoe. She did so, and reportedthat he had gone direct to the stables, where he had looked carefullyover all the horses, and found one threatened with some dangerousailment requiring his personal ministrations. He had announced hisintention of staying right there until that horse was "up an' doin'again. " At that minute he was seated on a half bushel measure as on athrone from which he was giving his orders, and all the young niggerswere fairly flying to execute them. "It is no use, Gertrude, " said Mrs. Nesbitt, with a sigh; "as soon asI saw that vest and your grandfather's coat with the brass buttons, Iknew Nelse had come to stay a spell, and stay he will in spite ofus. " Which statement gave the man from Dublin another sidelight on the racequestion! One of the servants announced a canoe in sight, coming from up theriver, and anticipating a probable addition to their visitors, Delavenescaped by a side door, until the greetings were over, and walkingaimlessly along a little path back from the river, found it ended at agroup of pines surrounded by an iron railing, enclosing, also, thehigh, square granite and marble abodes of the dead. It was here Nelsehad pointed when telling of Tom Loring's sudden death and burial. He opened the gate, and as he did so noticed a woman at the other sideof the enclosure. Remembering how intensely superstitious the coloredfolks were said to be, he wondered at one of them coming alone intothe grove so nearly darkened by the dense covering of pine, and withonly the ghostly white of the tombs surrounding her. He halted and stood silent beside a tree until she arose and turnedtowards the gate, then he could see plainly the clear, delicateprofile of the silent Margeret. Of all the people he had met in thisnew country, this quiet, pale woman puzzled him most. She seemed tocompel an atmosphere of silence, for no one spoke of her. She movedabout like a shadow in the house, but she moved to some purpose, forshe was a most efficient housekeeper, even the pickaninnies from thequarters--saucy and mischievous enough with any one else--were subduedwhen Margeret spoke. After she had passed out of the gate he went over where he had seenher first. Two tombs were side by side, and of the same pattern; afreshly plucked flower lay on one. He read the name beneath theflower; it was, _Thomas Loring, in the thirtieth year of his age_; theother tomb was that of his wife, who had died seven years earlier. But it was on Tom Loring's tomb the blossom had been laid. Was it merely an accident that it was the marble on which the fragrantbit of red had been let fall? or-- He walked slowly back to the house, feeling that he had touched onsome story more strange than any Evilena had asked him to listen to ofthe old days, and this one was vital, human, fascinating. He wondered who she was, yet felt a reluctance to ask. To him sheappeared a white woman. Yet an intangible something in Miss Loring'smanner to her made him doubt. He remembered hearing Matthew Loring onthe voyage complain many times that Margeret would have arrangedthings for his comfort with more foresight than was shown by hisattendants, but when he had reached Loringwood, and Margeret gavesilent, conscientious care to his wants, there was never a word ofpraise given her. He--Delaven--felt as if he was the only one therewho appreciated her ministrations; the others took them as a matter ofcourse. He saw old Nelse hitching along, with his queer little walk, comingfrom the direction of the stables. He motioned to him, and seatedhimself on a circular bench, backed by a great, live oak, and facingthe river. Nelse proved that his sight was good despite his years, forhe hastened his irregular shuffle and drew near, cap in hand. "Did the canoe from up the river bring visitors?" asked Delaven, producing one cigar which he lighted, and another which he presentedto the old man, who received it with every evidence of delight. "I can't even so much as recollect when I done put my hands on one o'these real Cubas; I thank yo' kindly, sah. We all raise our ownpatches o' tobacco, and smoke it in pipes dry, so! an' in course bythat-a-way we 'bleeged to 'spence with the julictious flavor o' theCubas. No, sah; ain't no visitors; just Mrs. McVeigh's man, Pluto, done fetched some letters and Chloe--Chloe's cook, heah--she tell meshe reckon Miss Gertrude try get Mahstah Matt to go up there fo' good'fore long, fo' Mrs. McVeigh, she comen' home from Mobile right away, now; done sent word. An' Miss Lena, she jest in a jubilee ovah theletter, fo' her ma gwine fotch home some great quality folks avisiten'. Judge Clarkson, he plan to start in the mawnen' forSavannah, he gwine meet 'em there. " "And in the meantime we can enjoy our tobacco; sit down. I've been somuch interested in your stories of long ago that I want to ask youabout one of the present time. " The smile of Nelse broadened. He felt he was appreciated by MissGertrude's guests, even though Miss Gertrude herself was notparticularly cordial. He squatted on the grass and waited whileDelaven took two or three puffs at his cigar before speaking again. "Now, in the first place, if there is any objection to answering myquestion, I expect you to tell me so; you understand?" Nelse noddedsolemnly, and Delaven continued: "I have one of the best nurses here that it has ever been my luck tomeet. You spoke of her today as in someway deprived of her senses fora long time. I can't quite understand that, for she appears veryintelligent. I should like to know what you meant. " "I reckon o' course the pussen to who you pintedly make reference isRetta, " said the old man, after a pause. "You are the only one I've heard call her that--the rest call herMargeret. " "Humph--yes, sah; that Mahstah Matt's doens, I reckon! not but whatMarg'ret alles was her real sure-'nough name, but way back, whenMahstah Tom was a liven', no one evah heard tell o' her been' calledany name but Retta; an' seem like it suit her them days, but don'tquite suit her now so well. " Delaven made no reply, and after another thoughtful pause, the old mancontinued: "No, sah; I've been thinken' it ovah middlen' careful, an' I can'tsee--considerin' as yo's a doctah, an' a 'special friend o' thefamily--why I ain't free to tell you Retta's story clean through; an'seen' as yo' have to put a lot o' 'pendance on her 'bout carryen' outyou ordahs fo' Mahstah Matt, seems to me like a bounden' duty fo'_some_ one to tell yo', fo' theah was five yeahs--yes--six of 'em, when Retta wasn't a 'nigh this plantation at all. She was stark, raven, crazy--dangerous crazy--an' had to be took away to some 'sylumplace; we all nevah knew where; but when she did come back she wasjest what you see--jest the ghost of a woman, sensible 'nough, seemlike, but I mind the time when she try to kill herself an' her chile, an' how we to know that fit nevah find her again?" "She--killed her child?" "Oh, no, sah; we all took the baby; she wan't but five yeah ole, fromher, an' got the knife out o' her hands; no, no one got hurt. But Ireckon I better go 'way back an' tell yo' the reason. " "Very well; I was wondering if she was really a colored person, "remarked Delaven. "Retta's an octoroon, mahstah, " said the old man, with a certainsolemnity of tone. "I done heard old Mahstah Jean Larue swear that iffolks are reckoned as horses are, Retta'd be counted a thoroughbred, 'cause far back as they can count theah wan't no scrub stock in herpedigree. "Long 'bout hundred yeahs ago folks come in colony fashion from someislands 'way on other side the sea. They got plantations in Florida, an' Mahs Duke he knew some o' them well. I only rec'lect hearen' oneo' the names they was called--an' mighty hard some o' them was tosay!--but the one I mind was Andros, or Ambrose Lacaris, an' he was aGreek gentleman; an'--so it was said--Retta was his chile; his nat'raldaughter, as Mahs Larue call it, an' she was raised in his home jestlike as ef she gwine to be mistress some day. " Delaven's cigar was forgotten, and its light gone out. The pedigreewas more interesting than he had expected. A Greek! All the beauty ofthe ancient world had come from those islands across the sea. Theromances, the poems, the tragedies! and here was one living through atragedy of today; that flower on the tomb under the pines--itsuggested so much, now that he heard what she was. "Mahs Lacaris, from what I could heah, was much the turn o' my MahsDuke, but 'thout Mahs Duke's money to back him; an' one day all hisbusiness 'rangements, they go smash! an' sheriff come take all hislan' and niggahs fo' some 'surance he'd gone fo' some one. Well, sah, they say he most went 'stracted on head o' that smash up; an' 'specialwhen he found they took stock o' Retta, just like any o' the fieldhands. But theah wan't no help fo' it, 'cause Retta's mammy was aquadroon gal; jest made a pet o' the chile, an' was so easy goen' henevah took a thought that anything would ever change his way o'liven'. "Mahs Tom, he jes' got married to Miss Leo Masterson an' took her downFlorida fo' wedden' trip; that how he come to be theah when all MahsLacaris' belongings was put up fo' sale. Seem like Mahs Lacaris hadhope he could get mo' money back in his own country, an' he was allplanned to start, an' he beg Mahs Tom to buy his little Retta an' keepher safe till he come back. "_Now_, Mahs Tom was powerful good-hearted--jest like his daddy. So hetotes the chile home, an' I know Hester (Miss Leo's maid) was ragen'mad about it, 'cause she had to wait on her the whole enduren' triphome, fo' seem like that chile nevah had been taught to wait onherself. "Well, sah, Massa Lacaris, he nevah did come back; that ship he wentin nevah was heard tell of again from that day to this, an' theahwan't nothin' fo' Mahs Tom to do but jest keep her. He did talk aboutsendin' her 'way to some school, fo' she mighty peart with books, an'then given' her a chance to buy herself if so be she wanted to. ButMiss Leo object to that, flat foot down; she hadn't no sort o' use fo''ristocrat book-learned niggahs. "Hester, she heard Miss Leo say them words, an' was mighty glad totattle 'em! Hester--she was Maryland stock, same as Cynthy. Well, sah, they worried along fo' 'bout a yeah not deciden' jest what to do withthat young stray, then Miss Gertrude she come to town an' it did'ntake no time to fine out what to do with her, _then_! "Miss Gertrude wan't no 'special stout chile, an' took a heap o' carean' pamperin' an' when none o' the othahs could do a trick with her, Retta would jest walk in, take her in her arms, an' the wah was endedfo' that time! Fust time Mahs Tom see that performance he laughhearty, an' then he say, 'Retta, we jest find out what we do need youfo'; yo' gwine to be installed as governess at Lorinwood from thistime on. ' An' Retta she was powerful pleased an' so happy, she alles alaughen' an' her eyes a shinen'. "Long 'bout a yeah after that, it was, when Miss Leo die. Mahs Tom, hewent way then fo' a long spell, cause the place too lonesome, an' whenhe come back, Retta, she ovah seventeen, an' she jest manage the wholehouse fine as she manage that baby, an' all the quality folks whatcome an' go praise her mightily an' talk 'bout how peart she was. "Then Mahs Matt, he come up from Orleans, whah he been cutten' a wideswath, if all folks told true, an' fust thing his eyes caught was thatgal Retta, an' he up an' tole Mahs Tom what a fool he was not to sellher down in Orleans whah she'd fetch mo' money than would buy six nussgals or housekeepers. "Mahs Tom cussed at him powerful wicked when he say that! I heard thatmy own self--it was down at the stable an' I was jest putten' a saddleon fo' Mahs Tom, an' then right in the middle o' his cussin' an'callen' names he stopped short off an' says--says he: 'Don't you evahopen youah mouth to me 'bout that again so long as yo' live. If Rettatakes care o' my Gertrude till she ten yeahs old, I made up my mine togive her freedom if she want it, that gal wan't bought for no slavean' she ain't gwine to be one heah--yo' un'stan'? You un'stan' if yougot any notion o' stayen' at Lorinwood!' An' then with some moremighty uncivil sayen's he got in the saddle an' rode like Jehu, an' Idon' reckon Mahs Matt evah did make mention of it again, fo' they got'long all good 'nough so long as he stayed. "Well, sah, haven' to take her part a-way made him think mo' 'bout thegal I reckon; anyway he say plain to more'n one that he sure gwinegive Retta her freedom. "He gwine do it jest aftah her chile was bawn, then theah was some lawfusses raised 'bout that time consarnnen' Mahstahs freen' slaves, an'Mahs Matt was theah then, an' he not say a word again _freen'_ her, only he say, 'wait a spell, Tom. ' "Retta, she wan't caren' then; she was young an' happy all day longwhile her chile that was jest as white as Miss Gertrude dar be. "Things went on that-a-way five yeahs, her chile was five yeahs olewhen he start fo' a business visit down to Charleston, an' he say fo'he start that Retta gwine have her freedom papers fo' Christmas gift. Well, sah, he done been gone two weeks in Charleston when he starthome, an' then Mahs Larue persuade him to stay ovah night at hisplantation fo' a fox hunt in the mawnen'. Mahs Matt was theah, an'some othah friends, so he staid ovah an' next we heard Mahs Matt sentword Mahs Tom killed, an' we all was to be ready to see aftah therelations an' othah quality folks who boun' to come to the funeral. "An' now, sah, you un'stan' what sort o' shock it was made Retta loseher mind that time. She fainted dead away when she heard it, but thenshe kind o' pulled herself togethah, as a horse will for a spurt, an'she looked aftah the company an' took Mahs Matt's orders 'bout'rangements, but we all most scared at the way she look--jest awatching Mahs Matt constant, beggen' him with her eyes to tell her'bout them freedom papers, but seems like he didn't un'stan', an' whenshe ask him right out, right 'long side o' dead Mahs Tom, he informher he nevah heah tell 'bout them freedom papers, Mahs Tom not tolehim 'bout them, so she b'long to the 'state o' Loring jest same as shedid afore, only now Miss Gertrude owned her 'stead o' Mahs Tom. "That when she tried to kill herself, an' try to kill the chile;didn't know anybody, she didn't, I tell yo' it make a terrible'miration 'mongst the quality folks, an' I b'lieve in my soul MahsMatt would a killed her if he dared, fo' it made all the folksun'stan' jest what he would 'a tried to keep them from. "An' that, sah, is the whole 'count o' the reason leaden' up to thesickness whah she lost her mine. We all sutten sure Mahs Matt sell herquick if evah her senses done come back, but she really an' trulyb'long to Miss Gertrude, an' Miss Gertrude, she couldn't see no goodreason to let go the best housekeeper on the plantation, an' that howcome she come to stay when she fetched back cured by them doctors. Sheain't nevah made a mite o' trouble--jest alles same as yo' see her, but o' course yo' the best judge o' how far to trust her 'bout specialmedicine an' sech. " "Yes, " agreed Delaven, thoughtfully. He arose and walked back andforth several times. Until now he had only come in contact with thepleasant pastoral side of life, given added interest because, justnow, all its peace was encircled by war; but it _was_ peace for allthat--peace in an eminently Christian land, a land of homes andchurchly environment, and made picturesque by the grotesque featuresand humor of the dark exiles. He had only laughed with them until nowand marveled at the gaiety of the troops singing in the rice fields, and suddenly another window had been opened and through it one caughtglimpses of tragedies. "And the poor woman's child?" he asked, after a little. "Mahs Matt done send her down to Mahs Larue's Georgy plantation, an'we all nevah seen her no mo'. Mahs Larue done sold that Georgyplantation 'bout five yeahs back an' move up fo' good on one his wifeown up heah. An' little while back I hear tell they gwine sell it, too, an' flit way cross to Mexico somewhah. This heah war jest brokethem up a'ready. " "And the child was sold?--do you mean that?" "Deed we all nevah got a sure story o' what come o' that baby; onlywhen Retta come back Mahs Matt tell her little Rhoda dead long timeago--dead down in Georgy, an' no one evah heah her ask a word fromthat day to this. But one Larue's niggahs _tole me_"--and the voiceand manner of Nelse took on a grotesquely impressive air--"they doneraise a mighty handsome chile 'bout that time what was called Rhoda, an' she went to ferren parts with Mahs Larue an' his family an' didn'tnevah come back, no mo', an' Mahs Matt raise some sort o' big row withMahs Jean Larue ovah that gal, an' they nevah was friends no mo'. Tobe suah maybe that niggah lied--_I_ don't know. But he let on as howMars Larue say that gal gwine to fetch a fancy price some day, an' Ithought right off how Mahs Matt said Retta boun' to fetch a fancyprice in Orleans; an' taken' it all roun' I reckoned it jest as wellRetta keep on thinken' that chile died. " Delaven agreed. From the house he could hear the ladies talking, andEvilena's laugh sang out clear as a bird's song. He wondered if theyalso knew the story of the silent deft-handed bondwoman?--butconcluded it was scarcely likely. Mrs. Nesbitt might know something ofit, but who could tell Tom Loring's daughter?--and Evilena, of course, was too much of a child. "I should like to see the picture you spoke of, " he said at last, "thesmall one the painter left. " "I reckon that picture done sent away with little Rhoda's things. Iain't nevah heard tell of it since that time. But it don't look a mitelike her now. All the red gone out o' her cheeks an' lips, all theshine out o' her eyes, an' her long brown hair has mo' white thanbrown in it these days. This woman Marg'ret ain't Retta; they jest asyo' might say two different women;" then, after a pause, "any othahthing you want ask me, sah? I see Jedge Clarkson comen' this way. " "No, that is all; thank you, old fellow. " He left Nelse ducking his head and fingering a new coin, while hesauntered to meet the Judge. "How much he give you, Uncle Nelse?" asked a guarded voice back of theold man, and he nearly fell over backwards in his fright. A large, middle-aged colored man arose from the tall grass, where he has beenhidden under the bank. "Wha--what you mean--yo' Pluto? What fo' you hide theah an' listen?" "I wan't hiden', " replied the man, good naturedly. "I jest lay to gosleep in the shade. Yo' come 'long an' talk--talk so I couldn't helphear it all, " and he smiled shrewdly. "I alles was curious to know thetrue way 'bout that Marg'ret--I reckon there was a heap that wan'ttold to neighbors. An' reason why I ask you how much he give you fo'the story is 'cause I got that picture you tole 'bout. I married MahsLarue's Rosa what come from Georgy with them. She been daid ovah ayeah now, but it's some whar 'mongst her b'longings. Reckon thatstrange gentleman give me dollar for it?--the frame is mightypretty--what you think?" CHAPTER XV. "Do tell me every blessed thing about her--a real Marquise--I lovetitles;" and Evilena clasped her hands rapturously. "Do you, now? Faith, then I'm glad I secured mine before I came over, "and the laughing Irish eyes met hers quizzically. "Oh, I never meant titles people earn themselves, Mr. Doctor, for--" "Then that puts the Judge and Col. Kenneth and myself on the outsideof your fence, does it? Arrah now! I'll be looking up my pedigree inhopes of unearthing a king--every true Irishman has a traditionalchance of being the descendant of rulers who ran barefoot, and carrieda club to teach the court etiquette. " She made a mutinous little grimace and refused to discuss his probableancestors. "Does not the presence of a French Marquise show how Europe sides withus?" she demanded, triumphantly. "Quantities of noblemen have been theguests of the South lately, and isn't General Wolseley, the mostbrilliant officer of the British Army, with our General Lee now? Ireckon all _that_ shows how we are estimated. And now the ladies oftitle are coming over. Oh, tell me all about her; is she very grand, very pretty?" "Grand enough for a queen over your new monarchy, " replied Delaven, who derived considerable enjoyment from teasing the girl about affairspolitical--"and pretty? No, she's not that; she's just Beauty's self, entirely. " "And you knew her well in Paris?" asked Evilena, with a hesitatingsuspicion as to why he had not announced such a wonderful acquaintancebefore--this woman who was Beauty's self, and a widow. She wondered ifshe had appeared crude compared with those grand dames he had knownand forgotten to mention. "Oh, yes, I knew her while the old Marquise was living, that was whenyour mother and Col. Kenneth met her, but afterwards she took totravel for a change, and has evidently taken your South on her way. Itwill be happiness to see her again. " "And brother Ken knew her, too?" asked the girl, with wide-open eyes;"and _he_ never mentioned her, either--well!" "The rascal!--to deprive you of an account of all the lovely ladies hemet! But you were at school when they returned, were you not?--and Kenstarted off hot foot for the West and Indian fighting, so you seethere were excuses. " "And Kenneth does not know you are here still, and will not know thebeautiful Marquise is here. Won't he be surprised to see you all?" "I doubt if I cause him such a shock, " decided Delaven; "when he getssight of Judithe, Marquise de Caron, he will naturally forget at oncewhether I am in America or Ireland. " "Indeed, then, I never knew Kenneth to slight a friend, " said thegirl, indignantly. "But maybe you never saw him face to face with such a temptation tomake a man forget the universe. " "Sh--h!" she whispered, softly. Gertrude had come out on the verandalooking for the Judge. Seeing him down at the landing she walkedleisurely in that direction. "You do say such wild, extravagant things, " continued Evilena, "that Ijust had to stop you until Gertrude was out of hearing. I suppose youknow she and Kenneth are paired off for matrimony. " "Are they, now? Well, he's a lucky fellow; when are we to dance at thewedding?" "Oh, they never tell me anything about serious things like that, "complained Evilena. "There's Aunt Sajane; she can tell us, if any onecan; everybody confides love affairs to her. " "Do they, now? Might I ask how you know?" "Yes, sir; you may _ask_!" Then she dropped that subject and returnedto the first one. "Aunt Sajane, when do you reckon we can dance atKenneth's wedding--his and Gertrude's? Doctor Delaven and I want todance. " "Evilena--honey!" murmured Aunt Sajane, chidingly, the more so asMatthew Loring had just crept slowly out with the help of his cane, and a negro boy. His alert expression betrayed that he had overheardthe question. "You know, " she continued, "folks have lots to think of these dayswithout wedding dances, and it isn't fair to Gertrude to discuss it, for _I_ don't know that there really has been any settled engagement;only it would seem like a perfect match and both families seem tofavor it. " She glanced inquiringly at Loring, who nodded his headdecidedly. "Of course, of course, a very sensible arrangement. They've alwaysbeen friends and it's been as good as settled ever since they werechildren. " "Settled by the families?" asked Delaven. "Exactly--a good old custom that is ignored too often these days, "said Mr. Loring, promptly. "Who is so fit to decide such things forchildren as their parents and guardians? That boy's father and metalked over this affair before the children ever knew each other. Ofcourse he laughed over the question at the time, but when he died andsuggested me as the boy's guardian, I knew he thought well of it anddepended on me, and it will come off right as soon as this war isover--all right. " "A very good method for this country of the old French cavaliers, "remarked Delaven, in a low tone, to the girl, "but the lads andlassies of Ireland have to my mind found a better. " Evilena looked up inquiringly. "Well, don't you mean to tell me what it is?" she asked, as heappeared to have dropped the subject. He laughed at the aggrieved toneshe assumed. "Whist! There are mystical rites due to the telling, and it goes fornothing when told in a crowd. " "You have got clear away from Kenneth, " she reminded him, hastily. "Did you mean that he was--well, in love with this magnificentMarquise?" Low as she tried to speak, the words reached Loring, who listened, andDelaven, glancing across, perceived that he listened. "In love with the Marquise? Bless your heart, we were all of course. " "But my brother?" insisted Evilena. "Well, now he might have been the one exception--in fact he always didget out of the merely social affairs when he could, over there. " "Showed his good sense, " decided Loring, emphatically. "I don'tapprove of young people running about Europe, learning theirpernicious habits and customs; I've had my fill of foreign places andforeign people. " Mrs. Nesbitt opened her lips with a shocked expression of protest, andas promptly closed them, realizing the uselessness of it. Evilenalaughed outright and directed an eloquent glance towards the onlyforeigner. "Me, is it?" he asked, doubtingly. "Oh, don't you believe it. I'vebeen here so long I'm near a Southerner myself. " "How near?" she asked, teasingly. "Well, I must acknowledge you hold me at arms length in spite of myallegiance, " he returned, and in the laugh of the others, Mr. Loring'stirade against foreigners was passed over. It was only a few hours since Pluto arrived with the letter fromMobile telling of the early arrival of Mrs. McVeigh and her guest. Noting that the letter had been delayed and that the ladies might evennow be in Savannah, Judge Clarkson proposed starting at once to meetthem, but was persuaded to wait until morning. Pluto was also told to wait over--an invitation gladly accepted, asvisits to Loringwood were just now especially prized by theneighboring darkies, for the two runaways were yet subjects of gossipand speculation, and Uncle Nelse scattered opinions in the quarters onthe absolute foolishness in taking such risks for freedom, and direprophesies of the repentance to follow. That his own personal feeling did not carry conviction to hislisteners was evidenced by the sullen silence of many who did notthink it wise to contradict him. Pluto was the only person to arguewith him. But this proved to be the one subject on which Pluto couldnot be his natural good-natured self. His big black eyes heldthreatening gleams, rebellious blood throbbed through every vein ofhis dark body. He championed the cause of the runaways; he knew ofnone who had left a good master; old man Masterson was unreasonable asMatthew Loring; he did not blame them for leaving such men. "I got good a mistress--good a master as is in all Carolina, " hestated, bluntly, "but you think I stay here to work for any of them ifit wan't for my boy?--my Rose's baby? No, I wouldn't! I'd go North, too! I'd never stop till I reached the men who fight against slavestates. You all know what keeps me here. I'd never see my boy again. Idone paid eighteen dollars towards Rose's freedom when she died. ThenI ask Mr. Jean Larue if he wouldn't let that go on the baby. He saidyes, right off, an' told me I could get him for hundred fifty dollars;_that_ why I work 'long like I do, an' let the other men fight fo'freedom But I ain't contented so long as any man can sell me an' mychild. " None of the other blacks made any verbal comment on his feelings oropinions, but old Nelse easily saw that Pluto's ideas outweighed hisown with them. "I un'stan' you to say Mahs Jean Larue promise he keep yo' boy tillsuch time as the money is raised?" he asked, cautiously. "That's the way it was, " assented Pluto. "I ain't been to seehim--little Zekal--for nigh on two months now. I'm goen', sure, soonas Mrs. McVeigh come home an' get settled. It's quite a jaunt from ourplace to Mahs Larue's--thirty good mile. " Aunt Chloe poured him out some more rye and corn-meal coffee andinsisted on him having more sweet potato pie. She swept an admonishingglance towards the others as she did so. "I did heah some time ago oneo' the Larue's gwine way down to the Mexico country, " she remarked, carelessly. "I don't reckon though it is this special Larue. I mindthey did have such a monstrous flock o' them Larue boys long timeback; some got killed in this heah war what's maken' trouble allroun'. How much you got paid on yo' little boy, Pluto?" "Most thirty dollars by time I make next trip over. Takes mighty longtime to save money these days, quarters scarcer than dollars use tobe. " His entertainers agreed with him; then the little maid Raquel enteredto say Pluto was wanted by Miss Sajane soon as his lunch was over. And as he walked across the grounds Evilena pointed him out toDelaven. "That is our Pluto, " she said, with a certain note of pride in hertone; "three generations of his family belonged to us. Mama can alwaysgo away feeling the whole plantation is safe so long as Pluto is incharge. We never do have trouble with the folks at the quarters as Mr. Loring does. He is so hard on them I wonder they don't all run away;it would be hard on Gertrude, though--lose her a lot of money. Did youknow Loringwood is actually offered for sale? Isn't it a shame? Theonly silver lining to the cloud is that then Gertrude will have tomove to The Pines--I don't mean to the woods"--as he turned aquestioning glance on her. "I mean to Gertrude's plantation joiningours. It is a lovely place; used to belong to the Masterson tracts, and was part of the wedding dowery of that Miss Leo Masterson UncleNelse told of--Gertrude's mother, you know. It is not grand orimposing like Loringwood, but I heard the Judge say that place alonewas enough to make Gertrude a wealthy woman, and the loveliest thingabout it is that it joins our plantation--lovely for Gertrude andKenneth, I mean. Look here, Doctor Delaven, you roused my curiositywonderfully with that little remark you made about the beautifulMarquise; tell me true--were they--did Ken, even for a little while, fall in love with her?" She looked so roguishly coaxing, so sure she had stumbled on somefragment of an adventure, and so alluringly confident that Delavenmust tell her the rest, that there is no telling how much he mighthave enlightened her if Miss Loring had not entered the room at thatmoment through a door nearest the window where they stood. Her face was serene and self possessed as ever. She smiled andaddressed some careless remark to them as she passed through, butDelaven had an uncomfortable feeling that she had overheard thatquestion, and Evilena was too frightened to repeat it. CHAPTER XVI. The warm summer moon wheeled up that evening through the dusk, odorouswith the wild luxuriance of wood and swamp growths. A carriage rolledalong the highway between stretches of rice lands and avenues ofpines. In the west red and yellow showed where the path of the sun had beenand against it was outlined the gables of an imposing structure, darkagainst the sky. "We are again close to the Salkahatchie, " said Mrs. McVeigh, pointingwhere the trees marked its course, "and across there--see that roof, Marquise?--that is Loringwood. If the folks had got across fromCharleston we would stop there long enough to rest and have a bit ofsupper. But the road winds so that the distance is longer than itlooks, and we are too near home to stop on such an uncertainty. Gertrude's note from Charleston telling of their safe arrival couldsay nothing definite of their home coming. " "That, no doubt, depends on the invalid relative, " suggested herguest; "the place looks very beautiful in this dim light; the cedarsalong the road there are magnificent. " "I have heard they are nearly two hundred years old. Years ago it wasthe great show place of the country, but two generations of veryextravagant sportsmen did much to diminish its wealth--generous, reckless and charming men--but they planted mortgages side by sidewith their rice fields. Those encumbrances have, I fancy, preventedGertrude from being as fond of the place as most girls would be of sofine an ancestral home. " "Possibly she lacks the gamester blood of her forefathers and can haveno patience with their lack of the commercial instinct. " "I really do believe that is just it, " said Mrs. McVeigh. "I never hadthought of it in that way myself, but Gertrude certainly is not at alllike the Lorings; she is entirely of her mother's people, and they arecredited with possessing a great deal of the commercial instinct. Ican't fancy a Masterson gambling away a penny. They are much moresensible; they invest. " The cedar avenues had been left a mile behind, and they had enteredagain the pine woods where even the moon's full radiance could onlyscatter slender lances of light. The Marquise leaned back withhalf-shut slumberous eyes, and confessed she was pleased that it wouldbe later, instead of this evening, that she would have the pleasure ofmeeting the master and mistress of Loringwood--the drive through thegreat stretches of pine had acted as a soporific; no society for thenight so welcome as King Morpheus. The third woman in the carriage silently adjusted a cushion back ofMadame's head. "Thank you, Louise, " she said, yawning a little. "Yousee how effectually I have been mastered by the much remarked languorof the South. It is delightfully restful. I cannot imagine any oneever being in a hurry in this land. " Mrs. McVeigh smiled and pointed across the field, where some men werejust then running after a couple of dogs who barked vociferously inshort, quick yelps, bespeaking a hot trail before them. "There is a living contradiction of your idea, " she said; "theSoutherners are intensity personified when the game is worth it; thegame may be a fox chase or a flirtation, a love affair or a duel, andour men require no urging for any of those pursuits. " They were quite close to the men now, and the Marquise declared theywere a perfect addition to the scene of moonlit savannas backed by themasses of wood now near, now far, across the levels. Two of them hadreached the road when the carriage wheels attracted attention from thedogs, and they halted, curious, questioning. "Why, it's our Pluto!" exclaimed Mrs. McVeigh; "stop the carriage. Pluto, what in the world are you doing here?" Pluto came forward smiling, pleased. "Welcome home, Mrs. McVeigh. I'se jest over Loringwood on errend withyo' all letters to Miss Lena an' Miss Sajane. Letters was stopped longtime on the road someway; yo' all get here soon most as they did. Judge Clarkson--he aimen' to go meet yo' at Savannah--start in themawning at daybreak. He reckoned yo' all jest wait there till some onego fo' escort. " "Evilena is at Loringwood, you say? Then Miss Loring and her unclehave got over from Charleston?" "Yes, indeedy!--long time back, more'n a week now since they come. Why, how come you not hear?--they done sent yo' word; I _know_ MissLena wrote you, 'cause she said so. Yes'm, the folks is back, an' MissSajane an' Judge over there this minute; reckon they'll feel mightysorry yo' all passed the gate. " "Oh, but the letter never reached me. I had no idea they were home, and it is too far to go back I suppose? How far are we from the housenow?" "Only 'bout a mile straight 'cross fields like we come after that'possum, but it's a good three miles by the road. " "Well, you present my compliments and explain the situation to MissLoring and the Judge. We will drive on to the Terrace. Say I hope tosee them all soon as they can come. Evilena can come with you in themorning. Tell Miss Gertrude I shall drive over soon as I am rested alittle--and Mr. Loring, is he better?" "Heap better--so Miss Gertrude and the doctor say. He walks roun'some. Miss Gertrude she mightily taken with Dr. Delaven's cure--shesays he jest saved Mahs Loring's life over there in France. " "Dr. Delaven!" uttered the voice of the Marquise, in soft surprise--"_our_Dr. Delaven?" and as she spoke her hand stole out and touched that ofthe handsome serving woman she called Louise; "is he also a travellerseeking adventure in your South?" "Did I not tell you?" asked Mrs. McVeigh. "I meant to. Gertrude's notementioned that her uncle was under the care of our friend, the youngmedical student, so you will hear the very latest of your belovedParis. " "Charming! It is to be hoped he will visit us soon. This littlewoman"--and she nodded towards Louise--"must be treated forhomesickness; you observe her depression since we left the cities? Dr. Delaven will be an admirable cure for that. " "Your Louise will perhaps cure herself when she sees a home again, "remarked Mrs. McVeigh; "it is life in a carriage she has perhaps growntired of. " "Madame is pleased to tease me as people tease children for beingafraid in the dark, " explained Louise. "I am not afraid, but thesilence does give one a chill. I shall be glad to reach the door ofyour house. " "And we must hasten. Remember all the messages, Pluto; bring your MissLena tomorrow and any of the others who will come. " "I remember, sure. Glad I was first to see yo' all back--good night. " The other colored men in the background had lost all interest in the'possum hunt, and were intent listeners to the conversation. OldNelse, who had kept up to the rest with much difficulty, now pushedhimself forward for a nearer look into the carriage. Mrs. McVeigh didnot notice him. But he startled the Marquise as he thrust his whitebushy head and aged face over the wheel just as they were starting, and the woman Louise drew back with a gasp of actual fear. "What a stare he gave us!" she said, as they rolled away from thegroup by the roadside. "That old man had eyes like augers, and heseemed to look through me--may I ask if he, also, is of yourplantation, Madame?" "Indeed, he is not, " was Mrs. McVeigh's reassuring answer. "But he didnot really mean to be impertinent; just some childish old 'uncle' whois allowed special privileges, I suppose. No; you won't see any onelike that at the Terrace. I can't think who it could be unless it isNelse, an old free man of Loring's; and Nelse used to have bettermanners than that, but he is very old--nearly ninety, they say. Idon't imagine he knows his own age exactly--few of the older onesdo. " Pluto caught the old man by the shoulder and fairly lifted him out ofthe road as the carriage started. "What the matter with yo', anyway, a pitchen' yo'self 'gainst thewheel that-a-way?" he demanded. "Yo' ain't boun' and sot to get runover, are yo'?" Some of the other men laughed, but Nelse gripped Pluto's hand asthough in need of the support. "Fo' God!--thought I seen a ghost, that minute, " he gasped, as theother men started after the dogs again; "the ghost of a woman whatain't dead yet--the ghost o' Retta. " "Yo' plum crazy, ole man, " said Pluto, disdainfully. "How the ghost o'that Marg'ret get in my mistress carriage, I like to know?--'specialas the woman's as live as any of us. Yo' gone 'stracted with all thetalken' 'bout that Marg'ret's story. Now, _I_ ain't seen a mite oflikeness to her in that carriage at all, I ain't. " "That 'cause yo' ain't nevah see Retta as she used to be. I tell yo'if her chile Rhoda alive at all I go bail she the very likeness o'that woman. My king! but she done scairt me. " "Don't yo' go talk such notions to any other person, " suggested Pluto. "Yo' get yo'self in trouble when yo' go tellen' how Mrs. McVeigh'scompany look like a nigger, yo' mind! Why, that lady the highest kindo' quality--most a queen where she comes from. How yo' reckon Mrs. McVeigh like to hear such talk?" "Might'nt a' been the highest quality one I meant, " protested Nelse, strong in the impression he had received; "it wa' the othah one, then--the one in a black dress. " All three occupants of the carriage had worn dark clothes, in thenight all had looked black. Nelse had only observed one closely; butPluto saw a chance of frightening the old man out of a subject ofgossip so derogatory to the dignity of the Terrace folks, and he didnot hesitate to use it. "What other one yo' talken' 'bout?" he demanded, stopping short, "myMistress McVeigh?" "Naw!--think me a bawn fool--you? I mean the _otha_ one--the numberthree lady. " "This here moonlight sure 'nough make you see double, ole man, " saidPluto, with a chuckle. "Yo' better paddle yo'self back to your owncabin again 'stead o' hunten' ghost women 'round Lorin'wood, 'causethere wan't only two ladies in that carriage--two _live_ ladies, " headded, meaningly, "an' one o' them was my mistress. " "Fo' Gawd's sake!" The old man appeared absolutely paralyzed by the statement. His eyesfairly bulged from their sockets. He opened his lips again, but nosound came; a grin of horror was the only describable expression onhis face. All the superstition in his blood responded to Pluto'ssuggestion, and when he finally spoke it was in a ghostly whisper. "I--I done been a looken' for it, " he gasped, "take me home--yo'! It'sa sure 'nough sign! Last night ole whippo'will flopped ovah my head. Three nights runnen' a hoot owl hooted 'fore my cabin. An' now theghost of a woman what ain't dead yet, sot there an' stare at me! Iain't entered fo' no mo' races in this heah worl', boy; I done covahthe track fo' las' time; I gwine pass undah the line at the jedgestan', I tell yo'. I got my las' warnen'--I gwine home!" CHAPTER XVII. Pluto half carried the old man back to Loringwood, while the otherdarkies continued their 'possum hunt. Nelse said very little after hisavowal of the "sign" and its relation to his lease of life. He had anervous chill by the time they reached the house and Pluto almostrepented of his fiction. Finally he compromised with his conscience bypromising himself to own the truth if the frightened old fellow becameworse. But nothing more alarming resulted than his decision to return at onceto his own cabin, and the further statement that he desired some onebe despatched at once for "that gal Cynthy, " which was done accordingto his orders. The women folk--old Chloe at their head--decided Uncle Nelse must bein some dangerous condition when he sent the command for Cynthia, whomhe had divorced fifty years before. The rumors reached Dr. Delaven, who made a visit to Nelse in the cabin where he was installedtemporarily, waiting for the boatmen who were delegated to row himhome, he himself declining to assist in navigation or any other thingrequiring physical exertion. He was convinced his days were numbered, his earthly labors over, andhe showed abject terror when Margeret entered with a glass of bittersMrs. Nesbitt had prepared with the idea that the old man had caught achill in his endeavor to follow the dogs on the oppossum hunt. "I told you all how it would be when I heard of him going, " sheasserted, with all a prophet's satisfaction in a prophecy verified. "Pluto had to just about tote him home--following the dogs at his age, the idea!" But for all her disgust at his frivolity she sent the bitters, andDelaven could not comprehend his shrinking from the cup-bearer. "Come--come, now! You're not at all sick, my man; what in the wideworld are you shamming for? Is it for the dram? Sure, you could havethat without all this commotion. " "I done had a vision, Mahs Doctor, " he said, with impressivesolemnity. "My time gwine come, I tell you. " He said no more untilMargeret left the room, when he pointed after her with nervousintensity. "It's that there woman I seen--the ghost o' that woman whatain't dead--the ghost o' her when she was young an' han'some--that'swhat I seen in the McVeigh carriage this night, plain as I see yo'face this minute. But no such _live_ woman wa' in that carriage, sah. Pluto, he couldn't see but two, an' _I_ saw three plain as I could seeone. Sure as yo' bawn it's a death sign, Mahs Doctor; my time donecome. " "Tut, tut!--such palaver. That would be the queerest way, entirely, toread the sign. Now, I should say it was Margeret the warning was for;why should the likeness of her come to hint of your death?" Nelse did not reply at once. He was deep in thought--a nervous, fidgety season of thought--from which he finally emerged with a theoryevidently not of comfort to himself. "I done been talken' too much, " he whispered. "I talk on an' ontoday; I clar fo'got yo' a plum stranger to we all. I tell allsorts o' family things what maybe Mahs Duke not want tole. Italked 'bout that gal Retta most, so he done sent a ghost whatlook like Retta fo' a sign. Till day I die I gwine keep my mouthshut 'bout Mahs Duke's folks, I tell yo', an' I gwine straight homeout o' way o' temptations. " So oppressed was he with the idea of Mahs Duke's displeasure that hedetermined to do penance if need be, and commenced by refusing a coinDelaven offered him. "No, sah; I don' dar take it, " he said, solemnly, "an' I glad to giveyo' back that othar dollar to please Mahs Duke, only I done turned itinto a houn' dog what Ben sold me, and Chloe--she Ben's mammy--she gotit from him, a'ready, an' paid it out fo' a pair candlesticks she beengrudgen' ole M'ria a long time back, so I don' see how I evah gwineget it. But I ain't taken' no mo' chances, an' I ain't a risken' nomo' ghost signs. Jest as much obliged to yo' all, " and he sighedregretfully, as Delaven repocketed the coin; "but I know when I gotenough o' ghosts. " Pluto had grace enough to be a trifle uneasy at the intensedespondency caused by his fiction in what he considered a good cause. The garrulity of old Nelse was verging on childishness. Pluto wasconvinced that despite the old man's wonderful memory of details inthe past, he was entirely irresponsible as to his accounts of thepresent, and he did not intend that the McVeigh family or any of theirvisitors should be the subject of his unreliable gossip. Pride offamily was by no means restricted to the whites. Revolutionary asPluto's sentiments were regarding slavery, his self esteem wasenhanced by the fact that since he was a bondman it was, at any rate, to a first-class family--regular quality folks, whose honor he woulddefend under any circumstances, whether bond or free. His clumsily veiled queries about the probable result of Uncle Nelse'sattack aroused the suspicions of Delaven that the party of hunters hadfound themselves hampered by the presence of their aged visitor, whowas desirous of testing the ability of his new purchase, the hounddog, and that they had resorted to some ghost trick to get rid ofhim. He could not surmise how the shade of Margeret had been made do dutyfor the occasion, her subdued, serious manner giving the denial to anypractical joke escapades. But the news Pluto brought of Mrs. McVeigh's homecoming dwarfed allsuch episodes as a scared nigger who refused to go into details as tothe scare, and in his own words was "boun' an' sot" to keep his mouthshut in future about anything in the past which he ever had known andseen, or anything in his brief earthly future which he might know orsee. He even begged Delaven to forget immediately the numerous bits ofhistory he, Nelse, had repeated of the Loring family, and Delavencomforted him by declaring that all he could remember that minute wasthe horse race and he would put that out of his mind at once ifnecessary. Nelse was not sure it was necessary to forget _that_, because itdidn't in any way reflect discredit on the family, and he didn't inreason see why his Mahs Duke should object to that story unless it wason account of the high-flier lady from Philadelphia what Mahs Duke wonaway from Mr. Jackson without any sort of trouble at all, and if MahsDuke was hovering around in the library when Miss Evilena and MahsDoctor listened to that story, Mahs Duke ought to know in his heart, if he had any sort of memory at all, that he, Nelse, had not told halfwhat he might have told about that Northern filly and Mahs Duke. Andtaking it all in all Nelse didn't see any reason why Delaven need putthat out of his remembrance--especially as it was mighty good runningfor two-year-olds. Evilena had peeped in for a moment to say good-bye to their duskyHomer. But the call was very brief. All her thoughts were filled withthe folks at the Terrace, and dawn in the morning had been decided onfor the ten-mile row home, so anxious was she to greet her mother, andso lively was her interest in the wonderful foreigner whom Dr. Delavenhad described as "Beauty's self. " That lady had in the meantime arrived at the Terrace, partaken of asubstantial supper, and retired to her own apartments, leavingbehind her an impression on the colored folks of the household thatthe foreign guest was no one less than some latter day queen ofSheba. Never before had their eyes beheld a mistress who owned whiteservants, and the maid servant herself, so fine she wore silkstockings and a delaine dress, had her meals in her own room and wasso grand she wouldn't even talk like folks, but only spoke inFrench, except when she wanted something special, at which time shewould condescend to talk "United States" to the extent of a word ortwo. All this superiority in the maid--whom they were instructed tocall "Miss"--reflected added glory on the mistress, who, at the suppertable, had been heard say she preferred laying aside a title whilein America, and to be known simply as Madame Caron; and laughinglyconfessed to Mrs. McVeigh that the American Republic was in a fairway to win her from the French Empire, all of which was told at oncein the kitchen, where they were more convinced than ever thatroyalty had descended upon them. This fact did not tend to increasetheir usefulness in any capacity; they were so overcome by thegrandeur and the importance of each duty assigned to them that thewheels of domestic machinery at the Terrace that evening were fairlyclogged by the eagerness and the trepidation of the workers. Theyfiguratively--and sometimes literally--fell over each other toanticipate any call which might assure them entrance to thewonderful presence, and were almost frightened dumb when they gotthere. Mrs. McVeigh apologized for them and amused her guest with thereason: "They have actually never seen a white servant in their lives, and areeaten up with curiosity over the very superior maid of yours, herintelligence places her so high above their ideas of servitors. " "Yes, she is intelligent, " agreed the Marquise, "and much more thanher intelligence, I value her adaptability. As my housekeeper she wassimply perfect, but when my maid grew ill and I was about to travel, behold! the dignity of the housekeeper was laid aside, and with abewitching maid's cap and apron, and smile, she applied for the vacantposition and got it, of course. " "It was stupid of me not to offer you a maid, " said Mrs. McVeigh, regretfully; "I did not understand. But I could not, of course, havegiven you any one so perfect as your Louise; she is a treasure. " "I shall probably have to get along with some one less perfect in thefuture, " said the other, ruefully. "She was to have had my yachtrefurnished and some repairs made while I was here, and now that I amsafely located, may send her back to attend to it. She is worth anytwo men I could employ for such supervision, in fact, I trust manysuch things to her. " "Pray let her remain long enough to gain a pleasant impression ofplantation life, " suggested Mrs. McVeigh, as they rose from the table. "I fancied she was depressed by the monotony of the swamp lands, orelse made nervous by the group of black men around the carriage thereat Loringwood; they did look formidable, perhaps, to a stranger atnight, but are really the most kindly creatures. " Judithe de Caron had walked to the windows opening on the veranda andwas looking out across the lawn, light almost as day under the highmoon, a really lovely view, though both houses and grounds were on amore modest scale than those of Loringwood. They lacked the grandeursuggested by the century-old cedars she had observed along the Loringdrive. The Terrace was much more modern and, possibly, so much morecomfortable. It had in a superlative degree the delightful atmosphereof home, and although the stranger had been within its gates so shorta time, she was conscious of the wonder if in all her variedexperience she had ever been in so real a home before. "How still it all is, " remarked Mrs. McVeigh, joining her. "Tomorrow, when my little girl gets back, it will be less so; come out on theveranda and I can show you a glimpse of the river; you see, our placeis built on a natural terrace sloping to the Salkahatchie. It gives usa very good view. " "Charming! I can see that even in the night time. " "Three miles down the river is the Clarkson place; they are mostpleasant friends, and Miss Loring's place, The Pines, joins theTerrace grounds, so we are not so isolated as might appear at first;and fortunately for us our plantation is a favorite gathering placefor all of them. " "I can quite believe that. I have been here two--three hours, perhaps, and I know already why your friends would be only too happy to come. You make them a home from the moment they enter your door. " "You could not say anything more pleasing to my vanity, Marquise, "said her hostess, laughingly, and then checked herself at sight of anupraised finger. "Oh, I forgot--I do persist in the Marquise. " "Come, let us compromise, " suggested her guest, "if Madame Caronsounds too new and strange in your ears, I have another name, Judithe;it may be more easily remembered. " "In Europe and England, " she continued, "where there are so many royalpaupers, titles do not always mean what they are supposed to. I haveseen a Russian prince who was a hostler, an English lord who was anattendant in a gambling house, and an Italian count porter on arailway. Over here, where titles are rare, they make one conspicuous;I perceived that in New Orleans. I have no desire to be especiallyconspicuous. I only want to enjoy myself. " "You can't help people noticing you a great deal, with or without atitle, " and Mrs. McVeigh smiled at her understandingly. "You cannothope to escape being distinguished, but you shall be whatever you likeat the Terrace. " They walked arm in arm the length of the veranda, chatting lightly ofParisian days and people until ten o'clock sounded from the tall clockin the library. Mrs. McVeigh counted the strokes and exclaimed at thelateness. "I certainly am a poor enough hostess to weary you the first eveningwith chatter instead of sending you to rest, after such a drive, " shesaid, in self accusation. "But you are such a temptation--Judithe. " They both laughed at her slight hesitation over the first attempt atthe name. "Never mind; you will get used to it in time, " promised the Marquise, "I am glad you call me 'Judithe. '" Then they said good night; she acknowledged she did feel sleepy--alittle--though she had forgotten it until the clock struck. Mrs. McVeigh left her at the door and went on down the hall to her ownapartment--a little regretful lest Judithe should be over wearied bythe journey and the evening's gossip. But she really looked a very alert, wide-awake young lady as shedivested herself of the dark green travelling dress and slipped intothe luxurious lounging robe Mademoiselle Louise held ready. Her brows were bent in a frown of perplexity very different from thegay smile with which she had parted from her hostess. She glanced ather attendant and read there anxiety, even distress. "Courage, Louise, " she said, cheerily; "all is not lost that's indanger. Horrors! What a long face! Look at yourself in the mirror. Ihave not seen such a mournful countenance since the taking of NewOrleans. " "And it was not your mirror showed a mournful countenance that day, Marquise, " returned the other. "I am glad some one can laugh; but forme, I feel more like crying, and that's the truth. Heavens! How longthat time seemed until you came. " "I know, " and the glance of her mistress was very kind. "I could feelthat you were walking the floor and waiting, but it was not possibleto get away sooner. Get the other brush, child; there are wrinkles inmy head as well as my hair this evening; you must help me to smooththem. " But the maid was not to be comforted by even that suggestion, thoughshe brushed the wavy, dusky mane with loving hands--one could not butread tenderness in every touch she gave the shining tresses. But hersighs were frequent for all that. "Me of help?" she said, hopelessly. "I tell you true, Marquise, I amno use to anybody, I'm that nervous. I was afraid of this journey allthe time. I told you so before you left Mobile; you only laughed at mysuperstitious fears, and now, even before we reach the place, you seewhat happened. " "I see, " asserted the Marquise, smiling at her, teasingly, "but thenthe reasons you gave were ridiculous, Louise; you had dreams, and acoffin in a teacup. Come, come; it is not so bad as you fear, despitethe prophetic tea grounds; there is always a way out if you look forpaths; so we will look. " "It is all well for you, Marquise, to scoff at the omens; you are toolearned to believe in them; but it is in our blood, perhaps, and it'sno use us fighting against presentiments, for they're stronger than weare. I had no heart to get ready for the journey--not a bit. We arecut off from the world, and even suppose you could accomplish anythinghere, it will be more difficult than in the cities, and the danger somuch greater. " "Then the excitement will provide an attraction, child, and the lateweeks have really been very dull. " The hair dressing ceased because the maid could not manipulate thebrush and express sufficient surprise at the same time. "Heavens, Madame! What then would you call lively if this has beendull? I'm patriotic enough--or revengeful enough, perhaps--for anyhuman sort of work; but you fairly frighten me sometimes the way youdash into things, and laughing at it all the time as if it was only ajoke to you, just as you are doing this minute. You are harder thaniron in some things and yet you look so delicately lovely--so like abeautiful flower--that every one loves you, and--" "Every one? Oh, Louise, child, do you fancy, then, that you are thewhole world?" The maid lifted the hand of the mistress and touched it to her cheek. "I don't only love you, I worship you, " she murmured. "You took mewhen I was nothing, you trusted me, you taught me, you made a newwoman of me. I wouldn't ever mind slavery if I was your slave. " "There, there, Louise;" and she laid her hand gently on the head ofthe girl who had sunk on the floor beside her. "We are all slaves, more or less, to something in this world. Our hearts arrange thatwithout appeal to the law-makers. " "All but yours, " said the maid, looking up at her fondly and halfquestioningly, "I don't believe your heart is allowed to arrangeanything for you. Your head does it all; that is why I say you arehard as iron in some things. I don't honestly believe your heart iseven in this cause you take such risks for. You think it over, decideit is wrong, and deliberately outstrip every one else in your endeavorto right it. That is all because you are very learned and verysuperior to the emotions of most people;" and she touched the hand ofthe Marquise caressingly. "That is how I have thought it all out; forI see that the motives others are moved by never touch you; theothers--even the high officials--do not understand you, or only onedid. " Her listener had drifted from attention to the soft caressing tones ofthe one time Parisian figurante, whose devotion was so apparent andwhose nature required a certain amount of demonstration. The Marquisehad, from the first, comprehended her wonderfully well, and knew thatback of those feminine, almost childish cravings for expression, therelived an affectionate nature too long debarred from worthy objects, and now absolutely adoring the one she deemed her benefactress; allthe more adoring because of the courage and daring, that to her had afascinating touch of masculinity about it; no woman less masterful, nor less beautiful, could have held the pretty Kora so completely. Thedramatic side of her nature was appealed to by the luxurioussurroundings of the Marquise, and the delightful uncertainty, as eachday's curtain of dawn was lifted, whether she was to see comedy ortragedy enacted before the night fell. She had been audience to both, many times, since the Marquise had been her mistress. Just now the mistress was in some perplexed quandary of her own, andgave little heed to the flattering opinions of the maid, and onlyaroused to the last remark at which she turned with questioning eyes, not entirely approving: "Whom do you mean?" she asked, with a trifle of constraint, and themaid sighed as she selected a ribbon to bind the braid she hadfinished. "No one you would remember, Marquise, " she said, shaking her head;"the trouble is you remember none of them, though you make itimpossible that they should forget you. Many of those fine gallants ofOrleans I was jealous of and glad to see go; but this one, truly now, he seemed to me well worth keeping. " "Had he a name?" asked the Marquise, removing some rings, and yawningslightly. "He had, " said the girl, who was unfolding a night robe and shakingthe wrinkles from the very Parisian confection of lawn and lace andtiny pink ribbons accenting neck and wrist. When she walked oneperceived a slight halt in her step--a reminder of the injury throughwhich her career in Paris had been brought to an end. "He had, myMarquise. I mean the Federal officer, Monroe--Captain Jack, the mencalled him. Of all the Orleans gentlemen he was the only one I thoughtfit for a mate for you--the only one I was sorry to see you sendaway. " "Send? What an imaginative romancer you are! He went where his dutycalled him, no doubt. I do not remember that I was responsible. Andyour choice of him shows you are at least not worldly in yourselections, for he was a reckless sort of ranger, I believe, with hissword and his assurance as chief belongings. " "You forget, Marquise, his courage. " "Oh, that!" and Judithe made a little gesture of dismissal; "it isnothing in a man, all men should have courage. But, to change thesubject, which of the two men have most interest for us tonight, Captain Jack or Dr. Delaven? The latter, I fancy. While you have beenchattering I have been making plans. " The maid ceased her movements about the room in the preparations forthe night, and, drawing a low stool closer, listened with allattention. "Since you are afraid here and too much oppressed by your presentimentsto be useful"--she accompanied this derogatory statement with an amusedsmile--"I conclude it best for you to return to the sea-board atonce--before Dr. Delaven and the rest pay their duty visit here. "I had hoped the change in your appearance would place you beyonddanger of recognition, and so it would with any one who had not knownyou personally. Madame McVeigh has been vaguely impressed with yourresemblance to Monsieur Dumaresque's picture. But the impression ofDr. Delaven would probably be less vague--his remembrance of you nothaving been entirely the memory of a canvas. " "That is quite true, " agreed the other, with a regretful sigh. "I havespoken with him many times. He came with--with his friend Trouvelot tosee me when I was injured. It was he who told me the physicians werepropping me up with falsehoods, and taking my money for curing alameness they knew was incurable. Yes, he was my good friend in that. He would surely remember me, " and she looked troubled. "So I supposed; and with rumors abroad of an unknown in the heart ofthe South, who is a secret agent for the Federals, it is as well notto meet any one who could suggest that the name you use is an assumedone, it might interfere with your usefulness even more than yourdismal presentiments, " and she arched her brows quizzically at themaid, who sighed forlornly over the complications suggested. "So, youmust leave at once. " "Leave, alone--without you?" and the girl's agitation was veryapparent. "Madame, I beg you to find some reason for going with me, orfor following at once. I could send a dispatch from Savannah, youcould make some excuse! You, oh, Marquise! if I leave you here alone Iwould be in despair; I would fear I should never, never see youagain!" "Nonsense, child! There is absolutely no ground for your fears. If youshould meet trouble in any way you have only to send me word and Iwill be with you. But your imaginary terrors you must yourself subdue. Come, now, be reasonable. You must go back--it is decided. Take noteof all landmarks as we did in coming; if messengers are needed it ismuch better that you inform yourself of all approaches here. Wait forthe yacht at Savannah. Buy anything needed for its refurnishing, andsee that a certain amount of repairing is done there while you waitfurther orders. I shall probably have it brought to Beaufort, later, which would be most convenient if I should desire to give my goodfriends here a little salt water excursion. So, you perceive, it isall very natural, and it is all decided. " "Heavens, Marquise, how fast you move! I had only got so far I wasafraid to remain, and afraid to excite wonder by leaving; and while Ilament, you arrange a campaign. " "Exactly; so you see how easily it is all to be done, and how littleuse your fears. " "I am so much more contented that I will see everything as youwish, " promised the girl, brightly. "Savannah, after all, is notvery far, and Beaufort is nearer still. But after all, you must own, my presentiments were not all wrong, Marquise. It really wasunlucky--this journey. " "We have heretofore had only good fortune; why should we complainbecause of a few obstacles now?" asked her mistress. "To become adiplomat one needs to be first a philosopher, and prepared at alltimes for the worst. " "I could be more of a philosopher myself over these complications, "agreed the girl, smiling, "if I were a foreigner of rank seekingamusement and adventure. But the troubles of all this country havecome so close home to the people of my race that we fear even to thinkwhat the worst might be. " The Marquise held up an admonishing finger and glanced towards thedoor. "Of course no one hears, but it is best never to allow yourself thehabit of referring to family or personal affairs. Even though we speaka language not generally understood in this country, do not--even tome--speak of your race. I know all, understand it all, without words;and, for the people we have met, they do not doubt you are a SanDomingo Creole. You must be careful lest they think differently. " "You are right; what a fool I am! My tongue ever runs ahead of my wit. Marquise, sometimes I laugh when I remember how capable I thoughtmyself on leaving Paris, what great things I was to do--I!" and sheshrugged her plump shoulders in self derision. "Why, I should havebeen discovered a dozen times had I depended on my own wit. I am agood enough orderly, but only under a capable general, " and she made asmiling courtesy to the Marquise. "Chatterbox! If I am the general of your distinguished selection, Ishall issue an order at once for your immediate retirement. " "Oh, Marquise!" "To bed, " concluded her mistress, gayly, "go; I shall not need you. Ihave work to do. " The girl first unlaced the dark boots and substituted a pair of softpink slippers, and touched her cheek to the slender foot. "I shall envy the maid who does even that for you when I am gone, " shesaid, softly. "Now, good rest to you, my general, and pleasantdreams. " "Thanks; but my dreams are never formidable nor important, " was theteasing reply as the maid vanished. The careless smile gave way to aquick sigh of relief as the door closed. She arose and walked back andforth across the room with nervous, rapid steps, her hands claspedback of her head and the wide sleeves of the robe slipped back, showing the perfect arms. She seemed a trifle taller than when inParis that first springtime, and the open robe revealed a figurestatuesque, perfect as a sculptor's ideal, yet without the statue'scoldness; for the uncovered throat and bosom held delicious dimpleswhere the robe fell apart and was swept aside by her restlessmovements. But her own appearance was evidently far from her thoughts at thatmoment. Several of Mrs. McVeigh's very affectionate words and glanceshad recurred to her and brought her a momentary restlessness. It wasutterly absurd that it should be so, especially when she hadencouraged the fondness, and meant to continue doing so. But she hadnot counted on being susceptible to the same feeling for KennethMcVeigh's mother--yet she had come very near it, and felt it necessaryto lay down the limits as to just how far she would allow such afondness to lead her. And the fact that she was in the home of her one-time lover gave riseto other complex fancies. How would they meet if chance should sendhim there during her stay? He had had time for many more such boyishfancies since those days, and back of them all was the home sweetheartshe heard spoken of so often--Gertrude Loring. How very, very long ago it seemed since the meetings at Fontainbleau;what an impulsive fool she had been, and how childish it all seemednow! But Judithe de Caron told herself she was not the sort of person toallow memories of bygone sentiment to interfere for long withpractical affairs. She drew up a chair to the little stand by thewindow and plunged into the work she had spoken of, and for an hourher pen moved rapidly over the paper until page after page was laidaside. But after the last bit of memoranda was completed she leaned back, looking out into the blue mists of the night--across his landsluxuriant in all the beauty of summer time and moonlight, the fieldsover which he had ridden, the trees under which he had walked, with, perhaps, an occasional angry thought of her--never dreaming that she, also, would walk there some day. "But to think that I _am_ actually here--here above all!" she murmuredsoftly. "Maman, once I said I would be Judithe indeed to that man ifhe was ever delivered into my hands. Yet, when he came I ran away fromhim--ran away because I was afraid of him! But now--" Her beautiful eyes half closed in a smile not mirthful, and thesentence was left unfinished. CHAPTER XVIII. What embraces, ejaculations and caresses, when Evilena, accompanied byPluto and the delighted Raquel, arrived at the Terrace next morning!Judithe, who saw from the veranda the rapturous meeting of mother anddaughter, sighed, a quick, impatient catching of the breath, andturned to enter the library through the open French windows. Reconsidering her intention, she halted, and waited at the head of thebroad steps where Kenneth's sister saw her for the first time and cameto her with a pleased, half shy greeting, and where Kenneth's motherslipped one arm around each as they entered the house, and between thetwo she felt welcomed into the very heart of the McVeigh familyfeminine. "Oh, and mama!"--thus exclaimed Evilena as she was comfortablyensconced in the same chair with that lady--"there is so much news totell you I don't know where to begin. But Gertrude sends love--pleasedon't go, Madame Caron--I am only going to talk about the neighbors. And they are all coming over very soon, and the best of all is, Gertrude has at last coaxed Uncle Matthew (a roguish grimace at thetitle) to give up Loringwood entirely and come to the Pines. And Dr. Delaven--he's delightful, mama, when he isn't teasing folks--hestrongly advises them to make the change soon; and, oh, won't you askthem all over for a few weeks until the Pines is ready? And did youhear about two of their field hands running off? Well, they did. Scipand Aleck; isn't it too bad? and Mr. Loring doesn't know it yet, noone dares tell him; and Masterson's Cynthia had a boy run off, too, and went to the Yankees, they suppose. And old Nelse he got scaredsick at a ghost last night while they were 'possum hunting. And, oh, mama, have you heard from Ken?--not a word has come here, and he nevereven saw Gertrude over there. He must be powerful busy if he could notstop long enough to hunt friends up and say 'howdy. '" "Lena, Lena, child!" and the mother sank back in her chair, laughing. "Have they enforced some silent system of existence on you since Ihave been down at Mobile? I declare, you fairly make my head swim withyour torrent of news and questions. Judithe, does not this young ladyfulfill the foreign idea of the American girl--a combination of theexclamation and interrogation point?" Evilena stopped further criticism by kisses. "I will be good as goodness rather than have Madame Caron make up hermind I am silly the very first day, " she promised, "but, oh, mama, it_is_ so good to have you to talk to, and so delightful of Madame tocome with you"--this with a swift, admiring side glance at theirvisitor--"and, altogether, I'm just in love with the world today. " Later she informed them that Judge Clarkson would probably drive overthat evening, as he was going to Columbia or Savannah--she hadforgotten which--and had to go home first. He would have come with herbut for a business talk he wanted to have, if Mr. Loring was able, this morning. "Gertrude coaxed him to stop over and settle something about sellingLoringwood. She's just grieving over the wreck and ruin there, and Mr. Loring never will be able to manage it again. They've been offered alot of money for it by some Orleans people, and Gertrude wants itsettled. Aunt Sajane is going to stay until they all come to thePines. " "If Judge Clarkson should be going to Savannah you could send yourmaid in his charge, since she is determined to leave us, " suggestedMrs. McVeigh. "She would, no doubt, be delighted to go under such escort, " saidJudithe, "but her arrangements are made to start early in the morning;it is not likely your friend would be leaving so soon. Then, mademoiselle has said she is not sure but that it is to some otherplace he goes. " "Columbia?--yes; and more than likely it _is_ Columbia, " assented Mrs. McVeigh. "He is there a great deal during these troublous times. " A slight sigh accompanied the words, and Judithe noticed, as she haddone often before, the lack of complaint or bewailings of thedisasters so appalling to the South, for even the victories were sodearly bought. There was an intense eagerness for news from the front, and when it was read, the tears were silent ones. The women smiledbravely and were sure of victory in the end. Their faith in their menwas adorable. Evilena undertook to show the Marquise around the Terrace, eagerlyanxious to become better acquainted with the stranger whose beauty hadwon her quite as quickly as it had won her brother. Looking at her, and listening to the soft tones with the delicious accent of France, she wondered if Ken had ever really dared to fall in love with thisstar from a foreign sky, or if Dr. Delaven had only been teasing her. Of course one could not help the loving; but brave as she believed Kento be, she wondered if he had ever dared even whisper of it toJudithe, Marquise de Caron; for she refused to think of her as simplyMadame Caron even though she did have to say it. The courtesy shown toher own democratic country by the disclaiming of titles wasaltogether thrown away on Evilena, and she comforted herself bywhispering softly the given name _Zhu-dette--Zhudette_, delighted tofind that the French could make of the stately name a musical one aswell. Raquel came breathlessly to them on the lawn with the information that"Mistress McVeigh ast them to please come in de house right off casethat maid lady, Miss Weesa, she done slip on stairs an' hurt her footpowerful. " "Thanks, yes; I will come at once, " said Miss Weesa's mistress in soclear and even a tone that Evilena, who was startled at the news, wasoppressed by a sudden fear that all the warmth in the nature of herfascinating Marquise was centered in the luminous golden brown eyes. As Judithe followed the servant into the house there came a swiftremembrance of those lamentable presentiments. Was there, after all, something in the blood akin to the prescience through which birds andwild things scent the coming storms?--some atavism outgrown by thepeople of intellectual advancement, but yet a power to the children ofthe near sun? Miss Louisa's foot certainly was hurt; it had been twisted by a fallon the stairs, and the ankle refused to bear the weight; the attemptto step on it caused her such agony that she had called for help, andthe entire household had responded. It was Pluto who reached her first, lifting her in his arms andcarrying her to a bed. She had almost fainted from pain or fright, andwhen she opened her eyes again it was to meet those of her mistress inone wild appeal. Pluto had not moved after placing her on the bed, though the other darkies had retired into the hall, and Judithe'sfirst impression of the scene was the huge black eyes fairlydevouring the girl's face with his curious gaze. He stepped back asMrs. McVeigh entered with camphor and bandages, but he saw thatpleading, frightened glance. "Never mind, Louise, it will all be well, " said her mistress, soothingly; "this has happened before, " she added, turning to Mrs. McVeigh. "It needs stout bandages and perfect rest; in a week it willbe forgotten. " "A week!"--moaned the girl with pale lips, "but tomorrow--I _must_ gotomorrow!" "Patience, patience! You shall so soon as you are able, Louise, andthe less you fret the sooner that may be. " Judithe herself knelt by the bed and removed tenderly the coquettishshoe of soft kid, and, to the horror of the assembled maids at thedoor, deliberately cut off the silk stocking, over which their wonderhad been aroused when the short skirts of Louise had made visiblethose superfine articles. The pieces of stocking, needless to say, were captured as souvenirs and for many a day shown to the scoffers ofneighboring plantations, who doubted the wild tales of luxury ascribedto the foreign magnate whose servants were even dressed like sureenough ladies. "We must bandage it to keep down the swelling, " said Judithe, workingdeftly as she spoke; "it happened once in New Orleans--this, andthough painful, is not really serious, but she is so eager to commencethe refurnishing of the yacht that she laments even a day's delay. " Louise did not speak again--only showed by a look her comprehension ofthe statement, and bore patiently the binding of the ankle. It was three days before she could move about the room with help of acane, and during those days of feverish anxiety her mistress had anopportunity to observe the very pointed and musical interest Plutoshowed in the invalid whose language he could not speak. He wasseldom out of hearing or her call and was plainly disturbed when wordcame from Loringwood that the folks would all be over in a few days. He even ventured to ask Evilena if Mr. Loring's eyesight hadn't failedsome since his long sickness, and was well satisfied, apparently, byan affirmative reply. He even went so far as to give Louise a slightwarning, which she repeated to her mistress one day after the Judgeand Delaven had called, and Louise had promptly gone to bed and tosleep, professing herself too well now for a doctor's attention. "Pluto is either trying to lay a trap for me to see if I do knowEnglish, or else he is better informed than we guess--which it is, Icannot say, Marquise, " she confided, nervously. "When he heard hismistress say I was to start Thursday, he watched his chance andwhispered: 'Go Wednesday--don't wait till visitors come, goWednesday. '" "Visitors?--then he means the Lorings, they are to be here Thursday, "and Judithe closed the book she had been reading, and lookedthoughtfully out of the window. Louise was moving about the room withthe aid of a cane, glancing at her mistress now and then and waitingto hear her opinion. "I believe I would take his advice, Louise, " she said at last. "I havenot noticed the man much beyond the fact that he has been wonderfullyattentive to your wants. What do you think of him--or of hismotives?" "I believe they are good, " said the girl, promptly. "He is dissatisfied; Ican see that--one of the insurrection sort who are always restless. He'sentirely bound up in the issue of the war, as regards his own people. Hesuspects me and because he suspects me tries to warn me--to be myfriend. When I am gone you may need some one here, and of all I see heis the one to be most trusted, though, perhaps, Dr. Delaven--" "Is out of the question, " and Judithe's decision was emphatic. "Thesepeople are his friends. " "They are yours, too, Marquise, " said the girl, smiling a little; butno smile answered her, a slight shade of annoyance--a tiny frown--bentthe dark brows. "Yes, I remember that sometimes, but I possess an antidote, " shereplied, lightly. "You know--or perhaps you do not know--that it iscounted a virtue in a Gypsy to deceive a Georgio--well, I am fancyingmyself a Gypsy. In the Mohammedan it is a virtue to deceive theChristian, and I am a Mohammedan for the moment. In the Christian itwas counted for centuries a mark of special grace if he despoil theJew, until generations of oppression showed the wanderer the real Godheld sacred by his foes--money, my child, which he proceeded to garnerthat he might purchase the privileges of other races. So, with myJewish name as a foundation, I have created an imaginary Jewishancestor whose wrongs I take up against the people of a Christianland; I add all this debt to the debt Africa owes this enlightenednation, and I shall help to pay it. " The eyes of Louise widened at this fantastical reason. She was oftenpuzzled to determine whether the Marquise was entirely serious, oronly amusing herself with wild fancies when she touched on pondrousquestions with gay mockery. Just now she laughed as she read dismay in the maid's face. "Oh, it is quite true, Louise, it _is_ a Christian land--and more, itis the most Christian portion of a Christian land, because the Southis entirely orthodox; only in the North will you find a majority ofskeptics, atheists, and agnostics. Though they may be scarcelyconscious of it themselves, it is because of their independentheterodox tendencies that they are marching today by thousands to waragainst a slavery not their own--the most righteous motive for a warin the world's history; but it cannot be denied that they are makingwar against an eminently Christian institution. " And she smiled acrossat Louise, whose philosophy did not extend to the intricacies of suchquestions. "I don't understand even half the reasons back of the war, " sheconfessed, "but the thing I do understand is that the black man islikely to have a chance for freedom if the North wins, and that's theone question to me. Miss Evilena said yesterday it was all a turmoilgot up by Yankee politicians who will fill their pockets by it. " "Oh, that was after Judge Clarkson's call; she only quoted him inthat, and he is right in a way, " she added; "there is a great deal ofpolitical jugglery there without a vestige of patriotism in it, butthey do not in the least represent the great heart of the people ofthe North; _they_ are essentially humanitarians. So you see I weighall this, with my head, not my heart, " she added, quizzically, "andhaving done so--having chosen my part--I can't turn back in the faceof the enemy, even when met by smiles, though I confess they are hardweapons to face. It is a battle where the end to be gained justifiesthe methods used. " "_Ma belle_, Marquise, " murmured the girl, in the untranslatablecaress of voice and eyes. "Sometimes I grow afraid, and you scatterthe fear by your own fearlessness. Sometimes I grow weak, and youstrengthen me with reasons, reasons, reasons!" "That is because the heart is not allowed to hamper the head. " "Oh, you tease me. You speak to me like a guardian angel of my people;your voice is like a trumpet, it stirs echoes in my heart, and thenext minute you laugh as though it were all a play, and I were a childto be amused. " "'And each man in his time plays many parts, '" quoted Judithe, thoughtfully, then with a mocking glance she added: "But not so manyas women do. " "There--that is what I mean. One moment you are all seriousness andthe next--" "But, my child, it is criminal to be serious all the time; it killsthe real life and leads to melancholia. You would grow morbid throughyour fears if I did not laugh at them sometimes, and it wouldnever--never do for me to approve them. " She touched the girl's hand softly with her own and looked at her witha certain affectionate chiding. "You are going away from me, Louise, and you must not go in dread ordespondency. It may not be for long, perhaps, but even if it shouldbe, you must remember that I love you--I trust you. I pity you for thechildhood and youth whose fate was no choice of yours. Never forget mytrust in you; when we are apart it may comfort you to remember it. " The girl looked at her with wide black eyes, into which the tearscrept. "Marquise, " she whispered, "you talk as if you might be sending meaway for always. Oh, Marquise--" Judithe raised her hand warningly. "Be a soldier, child, " she said, softly, "each time we separate foreven a day--you and I--we do not know that we will ever meet again. These are war times, you know. " "I know--but I never dreaded a separation so much; I wish you were notto remain. Perhaps that Pluto's words made me more nervous--it is sohard to tell how much he guesses, and those people--the Lorings--" "I think I shall be able to manage the Lorings, " said her mistress, with a reassuring smile, "even the redoubtable Matthew--the tyrannicalterror of the county; so cheer up, Louise. Even the longest partingneed only be a lifetime, and I should find you at the end of it. " "And find me still your slave, " said the girl, looking at heraffectionately. "That's a sort of comfort to think, Marquise; I'm gladyou said it. I'll think of it until me meet again. " She repeated it Wednesday morning when she entered the boat for thefirst stage of her journey to Savannah, and the Marquise nodded hercomprehension, murmured kindly words of adieu, and watched the littlevessel until a bend in the river hid it from view, when she walkedslowly back to the house. Since her arrival in America this was thefirst time she had been separated from the devoted girl for more thana day, and she realized the great loss it would be to her, though sheknew it to be an absolutely necessary one. As for Louise, she watched to the last the slight elevation of theTerrace grounds rising like an island of green from the level lands bythe river. When it finally disappeared--barred out by the nearer greenof drooping branches, she wept silently, and with a heavy heart wentdownward to Pocotaligo, oppressed by the seemingly groundless fearthat some unknown evil threatened herself or the Marquise--the dreadlest they never meet again. CHAPTER XIX. "Hurrah! Hurrah! for Southern rights Hurrah! Hurrah! for the bonney blue flag, That bears the single star!" Evilena was singing this stirring ditty at the top of her voice, avery sweet voice when not overtaxed, but Dilsey, the cook, put bothhands to her ears and vowed cooking school would close at once if that"yapping" was not stopped; she could not for the life of her see whyMiss Lena would sing that special song so powerful loud. "Why, Dilsey, it is my shout of defiance, " explained the girl, stirring vigorously at a mass in a wooden bowl which she fondly hopedwould develop into cookies for that evening's tea, when the party fromLoringwood were expected. "It does not reach very far, but I comfortmyself by saying it good and loud, anyway. That Yankee general who hasmarched his followers into Orleans fines everybody--even if its alady--who sings that song. I can't make him hear me that far off, butI do my best. " "Good Lawd knows you does, " agreed Dilsey. "But when you want to singin this heah cookhouse I be 'bleeged if yo' fine some song what ain'tgot no battles in it. Praise the Lawd, we fur 'nough away so thatYankee can't trouble we all. " "Madam Caron saw him once, " said the amateur cook, tasting a bit ofthe sweetened dough with apparent pleasure, "but she left Orleansquick, after the Yankees came. Of course it wouldn't be a place for alady, then. She shut her house up and went straight to Mobile, and Ijust love her for it. " "Seems to me like she jest 'bout witched yo' all, " remarked Dilsey;"every blessed nigger in the house go fallen' ovah theyselves when herbell rings, fo' feah they won't git thah fust; an' Pluto, he like tobe no use to any one till aftah her maid, Miss Louise, get away, hejest waited on her, han' an' foot. " Dilsey had heretofore been the very head and front of importance inthe servants' quarters on that plantation, and it was apparent thatshe resented the comparative grandeur of the Marquise's maid, andespecially resented it because her fellow servants bowed down and paidenthusiastic tribute to the new divinity. "Well, Dilsey, I'm sure she needed waiting on hand and foot while shewas so crippled. I know mama was mighty well pleased he was soattentive; reckon maybe that's why she let him go riding with MadameCaron this morning. " "Pluto, he think plenty o' hisself 'thout so much pamperen, " grumbledDilsey. "Seem like he counted the whole 'pendence o' the family sinceMahs Ken gone. " Evilena prudently refrained from expressing an opinion on the subject, though she clearly perceived that Dilsey was possessed of a fit ofjealousy; so she proceeded to flatter the old soul into a more sunnyhumor lest dinner should go awry in some way, more particularly asregarded the special dishes to which her own little hands had addedinterest. She was yet in the cookhouse when the guests arrived, and doffing thehuge apron in which she was enveloped, skurried into the house, carrying with her the fragrance of cinnamon and sweet spices, while adust of flower on curls and chin gave her a novel appearance, and theconfession that she had been cooking was not received with theacclamation she had expected, though there was considerable laughterabout it. No one appeared to take the statement seriously exceptMatthew Loring, who took it seriously enough to warn Margeret he wouldexpect her to supervise all dishes _he_ was to partake of. His mealswere affairs not to be trifled with. Margeret and Ben had accompanied the party. Others of the morereliable house servants of Loringwood, were to commence at once workat the Pines, and Gertrude was almost enthusiastic over the change. "You folks really _live_ over here, " she declared to Mrs. McVeigh, "while at Loringwood--well, they tell me life used to be very gaythere--but I can't remember the time. It seems to me that since theday they carried papa in from his last hunting field the place hasbeen under a cloud. Nothing prospers there, nobody laughs or sings; Ican't be fond of it, and I am so glad to get away from it again. " "Still, it is a magnificent estate, " said Mrs. McVeigh, thoughtfully;"the associations of the past--the history of your family--is sointimately connected with it, I should think you would be sorry topart with it. " "I should not!" said Gertrude, promptly, "the money just now would dome a great deal more good than family records of extravagance whichall the Lorings but Uncle Matthew seem to have been addicted to; andhe is the exact opposite, you know. " Mrs. McVeigh did know. She remembered hearing of him as a one-timegamester long ago in New Orleans, a man without the conviviality ofhis father or his brother Tom; a man who spent money in dissipationspurely selfish, carrying the spirit of a speculator even into hispursuit of social enjoyment. Then, all at once, he came back toLoringwood, settled down and became a model in deportment andplantation management, so close a calculator of dimes as well asdollars that it was difficult to believe he ever had squandered apenny, and a great many people refused to credit those ancient Orleansstories at all. Kenneth's father was one of them. "I don't believe I am very much of a Loring, anyway, " continuedGertrude with a little sigh. "They were a wild, reckless lot so farback as I can learn, and I--well, you couldn't call me wild andreckless, could you?" Mrs. McVeigh smiled at the query and shook her head. "Not the leastlittle bit, and we are glad of it. " She walked over to the windowlooking across the far fields where the road showed a glimpse ofitself as it wound by the river. "I thought I saw some one onhorseback over there, and every horseman coming our way is of specialinterest just now. I look for word from Kenneth daily--if not from theboy himself; he has had time to be home now. His stay has already beenlonger than he expected. " Gertrude joined her and gave her attention to the head of the road. "It may be your visitor from France, Evilena said she had gone riding. Of course you know we are all eager to meet her. Dr. Delaven sings herpraises to us until it has become tantalizing. " "We should have driven over to see you but for that accident to hermaid--the poor thing, except a few words, could only speak her ownlanguage, and we could not leave her entirely to the servants. MadameCaron seemed quite impressed with the brief glance she got ofLoringwood, and when she heard it was likely to be sold she asked agreat many interested questions concerning it. She is wealthy enoughto humor her fancies, and her latest one is a Carolina plantation nearenough to water for her yacht, which Mobile folks say is the mostbeautiful thing--and the Combahee would always be navigable for sosmall a craft, and the Salkahatchie for most of the year. " "She certainly must be able to humor any sort of fancy if she keeps ayacht of her own; that will be a new departure for a woman inCarolina. It sounds very magnificent. " "It is; and it suits her. That is one reason why I thought she mightbe the very best possible purchaser for Loringwood. She wouldresurrect all its former glories, and establish new ones. " Matthew Loring entered the sitting room, moving somewhat haltinglywith the help of a cane. Gertrude arranged a chair near the window, inwhich he seated himself slowly. "Do you feel tired after the ride, Uncle?" "No, " he said, fidgetting with the cushion back of his head, andfailing to adjust it to suit him, either let it fall or threw it onthe floor. Gertrude replaced it without a word, and Mrs. McVeighsmiled quietly, and pretended not to see. "I think I can promise you a pleasant visitor, Mr. Loring, " sheremarked, turning from the window. "A gentleman just turned in at ourgate, and he does look like Judge Clarkson. " Gertrude left the room to join the others who were talking andlaughing in the arbor, a few steps across the lawn. Mrs. McVeighbusied herself cutting some yellowing leaves from the plants on thestand by the window. Loring watched her with a peculiar peering gaze. His failing sight caused him to pucker his brows in a frown when hedesired to inspect anything intently, and it was that regard he wasnow directing toward Mrs. McVeigh, who certainly was worth looking atby any man. The dainty lace cap she wore had tiny bows of violet showing among thelace, and it someway had the effect of making her appear more youthfulinstead of adding matronliness. The lawn she wore had violet linesthrough it, and the flowing sleeves had undersleeves of sheer whitegathered at the wrist. The wide lace collar circled a throat scarcelyless white, and altogether made a picture worth study, though MatthewLoring's view of it was rather blurred because of the failure ofvision which he denied whenever opportunity offered; next to paralysisthere was nothing he dreaded so much as blindness, and even to Delavenhe denied--uselessly--any tendency in that direction. "Hum!" he grunted, at last, with a cynical smile; "if Gid Clarksonkeeps up his habit of visiting you regularly, as he has done for thepast ten years, you ought to know him a mile away by this time. " "Oh!"--Mrs. McVeigh was refastening her brooch before the mirror, "notten years, quite. " "Well, long enough to be refused three times to my certain knowledge;why, he doesn't deny it--proud to let the country know his devotion tothe most charming of her sex, " and he gave an ironical little nod forwhich she exchanged one of her sweetest smiles. "Glad you looked at me when you said that, " she remarked, lightly;"and we do depend on Judge Clarkson so much these days I don't knowwhat I ever would do if his devotion dwindled in the least. But Ifancy his visit this morning is on your account instead of mine. " At that moment the white hat of Clarkson could be seen above theveranda railing, and Mrs. McVeigh threw open the glass doors as heappeared at the top of the steps with an immense boquet held withespecial care--the Judge's one hobby in the realm of earth-grownthings was flowers. He bowed when he caught sight of the mistress of the Terrace, whobestowed on him a quaint courtesy such as the good nuns of Orleanstaught their pupils thirty years before, she also extended herhand, which he kissed--an addition to fine manners the nuns hadomitted--probably they knew how superfluous such training would be, all Southern girls being possessed of that knowledge by right ofbirth. "Good morning, Judge. " "Mistress McVeigh!" Loring uttered an inarticulate exclamationwhich was first cousin to a grunt, as the Judge's tone reached hisear, and the profound bow was robbed of its full value by theJudge straightening, and glancing sideways. "My delight, Madame, at being invited over this morning is only to beexpressed in the silent language of the blossoms I bring. You willhonor me by accepting them?" "With very great pleasure, Judge; here is Mr. Loring. " "Heartily pleased to see you have arrived, " and the Judge moved overand shook hands. "I came within bowing distance of Miss Gertrude as Ientered, so I presume she has induced you to come over to the Pinesfor good. Your position, Mr. Loring, is one to be envied in thatrespect. Your hours are never lonely for lack of womanly grace andbeauty in your household;" he glanced at Mrs. McVeigh, who wasarranging the flowers in a vase, "I envy you, sir, I envy you. " "Oh, Gertrude is well enough, though we don't unite to spoil eachother with flattering demonstrations, " and he smiled cynically at theother two, and peered quizzically at Mrs. McVeigh, who presented himwith a crimson beauty of a rose, for which he returned a verygracious, "Thank you, " and continued: "Yes, Gertrude's a very goodgirl, though it's a pity it wasn't a boy, instead, who came into theLoring family that day to keep up the old name. And what about thatboy of yours, Mistress McVeigh? When do you expect him home?" "Very soon, now. His last message said they hoped to reach Charlestonby the twentieth--so you see the time is short. I am naturallyintensely anxious--the dread of that blockade oppresses me. " "No need, no need, " and Loring's tone was decided and reassuring. "Wegot out through it, and back through it, and never a Yankee in sight;and those men on a special commission will be given double care, youmay be sure. " "Certainly; the run from Nassau has kept the mail service open almostwithout a break, " assented Clarkson, "and we have little reason foranxiety now that the more doubtful part of the undertaking has beensuccessfully arranged. " "Most successfully; he writes that the English treat our people withextreme consideration, and heartily approve our seceding. " "Of course they do, and why shouldn't they?" demanded Loring. "I tellyou, they would do much more than give silent sympathy to our cause ifit were not that Russia has chosen to send her warships into Yankeeharbors just now on guard against the interference of any of ourfriends, especially against Great Britain's interference, which wouldbe most certain and most valuable. " "Quite true, quite true, " assented the Judge, with a soothing tone, calculated to allay any combative or excited mood concerning that orany other subject; "but even their moral support has been a wonderfulhelp, my dear sir, and the securing of an important addition to ournavy from them just now means a very great deal I assure you; once letus gain a foothold in the North--get into Washington--and she will bethe first to acknowledge us as a power--a sovereign power, sir!" "I don't understand the political reasons of things, " confessed theirhostess, "but I fear Kenneth has imbibed the skepticism of the agesince these years of military associations; he suggests that England'smotive is really not for our advantage so much as her own. I disliketo have my illusions dispelled in that respect; yet I wonder if it isall commercialism on their part. " "Most assuredly, " said the Judge. "England's policy has always beenone of selfishness where our country was concerned. We must not forgetshe was the bitterest foe of our fathers. She has been sent home fromour shores badly whipped too often to feel much of the brotherly loveshe effects just now for her own purposes. We must not expect anythingelse. She is of help to us now for purposes of revenue, only, and wewill have to pay heavy interest for all favors. The only thought ofcomfort to us in the matter is that our cause is worth paying thatinterest for. " Loring acknowledged the truth of the statements, and Mrs. McVeighsighed to think of the duplicity of the nation she had fanciedsingle-hearted. And to a woman of her trustful nature it was a shockto learn that the British policy contained really none of the sweetlydomestic and fraternal spirit so persistently advertised. To change the conversation the Judge produced a letter justreceived--a proposal for Loringwood at Mr. Loring's own price. "Already?" asked Mrs. McVeigh; and Loring, who realized that his ownprice was a remarkably high one, showed surprise at the readyacceptance of it. "The offer is made by a law firm in New Orleans, Hart & Logan, "continued Clarkson. "But the real purchaser is evidently some clientof theirs. " "Well, I certainly hope the client will prove a pleasant personage ifhe is to locate at Loringwood, " remarked Mrs. McVeigh. "Some one inNew Orleans? Possibly we know them. " "I am led to believe that the property is desired for some educationalinstitution, " said Clarkson, handing the letter to Loring, who couldnot decipher two lines of the fine script, but refrained fromacknowledging it. "I must say the offer pleases me greatly. " He nodded his head anduttered a sigh of satisfaction; "a school or seminary, no doubt, Ilike that; so will Gertrude. Speak to her, and then write or telegraphthe acceptance, as they prefer. This is remarkably quick work; Ifeared it would be a long while before a purchaser could be found. This is most fortunate. " "Then I congratulate you, Mr. Loring, " said Mrs. McVeigh, who wasgrateful to the Judge for bringing news likely to make the entertainmentof the invalid an easier affair. "But your fortunate offer from NewOrleans dispels a hope I had that my friend, Madame Caron, might buyit. She seemed quite impressed with it. I was just saying so toGertrude. " "Yes, we've all been hearing considerable about this charmingforeigner of yours, who is daring enough to cross to a war-riddencountry to pay visits. " "She owns a fine property in New Orleans, but left there in disgustwhen the Yankees took possession. I was delighted to find her inMobile, and persuaded her to come along and see plantation life in ourcountry. We met her first in Paris--Kenneth and I. He will bedelightfully surprised to find her here. " "No doubt, no doubt, " but Loring's assent was not very hearty; heremembered those first comments on her at Loringwood. "Dr. Delaven, also, was among her Parisian acquaintances, so you will have quite aforeign colony at the Terrace. " "I was much pleased with that fine young fellow, Dr. Delaven, "remarked the Judge, "and really consider you most fortunate to securehis services--a very superior young man, and possessed, I should say, of very remarkable talent, and of too gay a heart to be weighed downwith the importance of such special knowledge, as is too often thecase in young professional men--yes, sir; a very bright young man. " Mrs. McVeigh, hearing laughter, had stepped out on the veranda, andsmiled in sympathy with the couple who appeared on the step. The verytalented young man just mentioned was wreathed in blossoms and wildvines; he carried Aunt Sajane's parasol, and was guided by reinsformed of slender vines held in Miss Evilena's hands; the hat he worewas literally heaped with flowers, and he certainly did not appear tobe weighed by the importance of any special knowledge at that moment. At sight of the Judge, Evilena dropped her improvised lines and ran tohim. "Oh, Judge, it is right kind of you to come over early today. AuntSajane is coming, she was down to the river with us; she laughed toomuch to walk fast. We were getting wild flowers for decorating--andhere is Dr. Delaven. " "Yes, I'm one of the things she's been decorating, " and he enteredfrom the veranda, shook hands with Clarkson, and stood for inspection. "Don't I look like a lamb decked for the sacrifice? But faith it wasthe heart of a lion I needed to go into the moccasin dens where shesent me this day. The blossoms desired by your daughter were sure togrow in the wildest swamps. " "I didn't suppose a bog-trotter would object to that, " remarked thegirl, to Loring's decided amusement. "Lena!" and at the look of horror on her mother's face she fled to theveranda. "Ah--Mrs. McVeigh, I'm not hurt at all, but if she had murthered meentirely your smile would give me new life again; it's a guardianangel you are to me. " "You do need assistance, " she replied, endeavoring to untwine thevines twisted about his shoulders, "now turn around. " He did, spinning in top fashion, with extended arms, while Evilenasmiled at the Judge from the window. His answering smile grew somewhatconstrained as his hostess deliberately put her pretty arm half wayaround the young man's shoulder in her efforts to untangle him. "I say, Judge, isn't it in fine luck I am?--the undoing of Delaven!" But the Judge did not respond. He grew a trifle more ceremonious as heturned from the window. "Mistress McVeigh, I shall step out on the lawn to meet my sister andMiss Loring, and when you have concluded your present task, would youpermit me to see the autumn roses you were cultivating? As a lover offlowers I certainly have an interest in their progress. " "Autumn roses--humph!" and Loring smiled in a grim way onlydiscernible to Delaven, who had grown so accustomed to his sardoniccomments on things in general that they no longer caused surprise. "Of course, Judge; I'll show them to you myself, " and Mrs. McVeigh letfall the last of the vines and joined him at the window--"so charmingof you to remember them at all. " "Don't you want to go along and study the progress of autumn roses?"asked Evilena, peering around the window at Delaven, who laughed atthe pretended demureness and timidity with which she invested thequestion. "Not at this moment, my lady. Autumn roses, indeed!--while there's awild flower in sight--not for the O'Delavens!" And the O'Delaven's bright Irish eyes had so quizzical a smile in themthe girl blushed and was covered with confusion as with a mantle, andgathering the blossoms in her arms seated herself ostentatiously closeto Mr. Loring's chair while she arranged them, and Delaven mightcontent himself with a view of one pink ear and a delicious dimple inone cheek, which he contemplated from the lounging chair back of her, and added to his occupation by humming, very softly, a bit of the oldsong: "Ten years have gone by and I have not a dollar; Evilena still lives in that green grassy hollow; And though I am fated to marry her never, I'm sure that I'll love her for ever and ever!" "For ever and ever! I say, Miss Evilena, how do you suppose the fellowin the song could be so dead sure of himself, for ever and ever?" "Probably he wasn't an Irishman, " suggested the girl, bending lowerover the blossoms that he might not see her smiling. "Arrah, now, I had conjured up a finer reason than that entirely; ithad something to do with the charms of your namesake, but I'll not betelling you of it while you carry a nettle on your tongue to stingpoor harmless wanderers with. " His pondrous sigh was broken in on by her laughter, and the beat ofhoofs on the drive. While they looked at each other questioningly thevoice of Judithe was heard speaking to Pluto, and then humming therefrain of Evilena's favorite, "Bonnie Blue Flag, " she ran up to theveranda where Mrs. McVeigh met her. "Oh, what a glorious gallop I had. Good morning, Judge Clarkson. Howglad I am that you came right over soon as you got home. You are to usa recruit from the world whom we depend on to tell us all about doingsthere, and it is so good of you. " "It argues no virtue in a man, Madame, that he comes where beautygreets him, " and the Judge's bow was a compliment in itself. "Charming--is it not, Madame McVeigh? Truly your Southern men are themost delightful in the world. " "Ah, Madame, " and Delaven arose from his chair with a lugubriouscountenance, "for how am I to forgive you for adopting the fancy thatIreland is out of the world entirely?" Judithe laughed frankly and put out her hand; she was exceedingly gayand gracious that morning; there was a delightful exhilaration in hermanner, and it was contagious. Matthew Loring half turned in his chairand peered out at the speaker as she turned to Delaven. "Not out of the world of our hearts, Dr. Delaven, and for yourself, you really should not have been born up where the snow falls. Youreally belong to the South--we need you here. " "Faith, it was only a little encouragement I was needing, Marquise. I'll ask the Judge to prepare my naturalization papers in themorning. " "Other friends have arrived during your ride, Judithe, " and herhostess led her into the sitting room. "Allow me to present ourneighbor, Mr. Loring, of the Loringwood you admired so greatly. " "And with such good reason, " said Judithe, with gracious bend of herhead, and a charming smile. "I have looked forward to meeting you forsome time, Mr. Loring, and your estate really appealed to me--it ismagnificent. After riding past it I was conscious of coveting myneighbor's goods. " "It is our loss, Madame, that you did ride past, " and Loring reallymade an effort to be cordial and succeeded better than might have beenexpected. He was peering at her from under the heavy brows veryintently, but she was outlined against the flood of light from thewindow, and it blurred his vision, leaving distinct only the graceful, erect form in its dark riding habit. "Had you entered the gates myniece would have been delighted to entertain you. " "What a generous return for my envy, " exclaimed Judithe. "The spiritof hospitality seems ever abroad in your land, Mr. Loring. " He smiled, well pleased, for his pride in his own country, his ownstate, was very decided. He lifted the forgotten rose from the arm ofhis chair. "I will have to depend on our friend, the Judge, to present you finephrases in return for that pretty speech, Madame; I can only offer asubstitute, " and to Evilena's wide-eyed astonishment he actuallypresented the rose to the Marquise. "She simply has bewitched him, " protested the girl to Delaven, later. "I never knew him to do so gallant a thing before. I could not havebeen more surprised if he had proposed marriage to her before usall. " Delaven confessed he, too, was unprepared for so much amiability, butthen he admitted he had known men to do more astonishing things thanthat, on short notice, for a smile from Madame Judithe. She accepted the rose with a slight exclamation of pleasure. "You good people will smother me with sweets and perfumes, " sheprotested, touching her cheek with the beautiful flower; then, as shewas about to smell it, they were astonished to see it flung from herwith a faint cry, followed by a little laugh at the consternation ofthe party. "How unpardonable that I discover a worm at the heart of your firstfriendly offering to me, Mr. Loring;" and her tones were almostcaressing as she smiled at him; "the poor, pretty blossom, so lovely, and so helpless in the grasp of its enemy, the worm. " Pluto had entered with a pitcher of water which he placed on thestand. He had witnessed the episode of the rose, and picked it up fromwhere it had been tossed. "Margeret told me to see if you wanted anything, Mr. Loring, " he said, gently, and Mr. Loring's answer was decided, brusque and natural. "Yes, I do; I want to go to my room; get my stick. Mistress McVeigh, if you have no objection to me breaking up your party, I would like tohave Judge Clarkson go along; we must settle these business matterswhile I am able. " "At your service, sir, with your permission, Madame, " and the Judgeglanced at Mrs. McVeigh, who telegraphed a most willing consent as shepassed out on the veranda after Evilena and Delaven. Judithe stood bythe little side table, slowly pulling off her gauntlets, when she wasaware that the colored man Pluto was regarding her curiously, and sheperceived the reason. He had looked into the heart of the rose, and onthe floor where it had fallen, and had found no living thing to causeher dread of the blossom. He dropped his eyes when she looked at him, and just then a bit ofconversation came to him as the Judge offered his arm to Loring andassisted him to rise. "I certainly am pleased that you feel like looking into the businessmatters, " Clarkson was saying, "and the Rhoda Larue settlement cannotbe postponed any longer; Colonel McVeigh may be back any time now, andwe must be ready to settle with him. " Loring made some grumbling remark in which "five thousand dollars" wasthe only distinguishable thing, and then they passed out, and Plutofollowed, leaving the Marquise alone, staring out of the window with acurious smile; she drew a deep breath of relief as the door closed. CHAPTER XX. Mrs. McVeigh entered the sitting room some time after and wasastonished to find her still there and alone. "Why, Judithe, I fancied you had gone to change your habit ages ago, and here you are, plunged in a brown study. " "No--a blue and green one, " was the smiling response. "Have you everobserved what a paintable view there is from this point? It would be agem on canvas; oh, for the talent of our Dumaresque!" "Your Dumaresque, " corrected Mrs. McVeigh. "I never can forgive you, quite, for sending him away; oh, Helene wrote me all about it--and he_was_ such a fine fellow. " "Yes, he was, " and Judithe gave a little sigh ending in a smile; "butone can't keep forever all the fine fellows one meets, and when theyare so admirable in every way as Dumaresque, it seems selfish for onewoman to capture them. " Mrs. McVeigh shook her head hopelessly over such an argument, butbroke a tiny spray of blossom from a plant and fastened it in thelapel of Judithe's habit. "It is not so gorgeous as the rose, but it is at least free from thepests. " Judithe looked down at the blossom admiringly. "I trust Mr. Loringwill forgive my panic--I fear it annoyed him. " "Oh, no--not really. He is a trifle eccentric, but his invalidismgains him many excuses. There is no doubt but that you made a decidedimpression on him. " "I hope so, " said Judithe. Margeret entered the room just then, and with her hand on the doorpaused and stared at the stranger who was facing her. Judithe, glancing up, saw a pair of strange dark eyes regarding her. Shenoticed how wraith-like the woman appeared, and how the brown dressshe wore made the sallow face yet more sallow. A narrow collar andcuffs of white, and the apron, were the only sharp tones in thepicture; all the rest was brown--brown hair tinged with grey ripplingback from the broad forehead, brown eyes with a world of patience andsadness in them and slender, sallow-looking hands against the whiteapron. She looked like none of the house servants at the Terrace--in factJudithe was a trifle puzzled as to whether she was a servant at all. She had not a feature suggesting colored blood, was much moreCaucasian in appearance than Louise. It was but a few seconds they stood looking at each other, whenMargeret made a slight little inclination of her head and a movementof the lips that might have been an apology, but in that moment thestrange woman's face fairly photographed itself on Judithe's mind--themelancholy expression of it haunted her afterwards. Mrs. McVeigh, noticing her guest's absorbed gaze, turned and sawMargeret as she was about to leave the room. "What is it, Margeret?" she asked, kindly, "looking for MissGertrude?" "Yes, Mistress McVeigh; Mr. Loring wants her. " "I think she must have gone to her room, she and Mistress Nesbitt wentupstairs some time ago. " Margeret gently inclined her head, and passed out with the noiselesstread Evilena had striven to emulate in vain that day at Loringwood. "One of Miss Loring's retainers?" asked Judithe; "I fancied they onlykept colored servants. " "Margeret _is_ colored, " explained Mrs. McVeigh, "that is, " as theother showed surprise, "although her skin does not really show color, yet she is an octoroon--one-eighth of colored ancestry. She has neverbeen to the Terrace before, and she had a lost sort of appearance asshe wandered in here, did she not? She belongs to Miss Loring'sportion of the estate, and is very capable in her strange, quiet way. There have been times, however, when she was not quite rightmentally--before we moved up here, and the darkies rather stand in aweof her ever since, but she is entirely harmless. " "That explains her peculiar, wistful expression, " suggested Judithe. "I am glad you told me of it, for her melancholy had an almostmesmeric effect on me--and her eyes!" All the time she was changing her dress for lunch those haunting eyes, and even the tones of her voice, remained with her. "Those poor octoroons!" and she sighed as she thought of them, "theintellect of their white fathers, and the bar of their mothers' bloodagainst the development of it--poor soul, poor soul--she actuallylooks like a soul in prison. Oh!"--and she flung out her hands insudden passion of impotence. "What can one woman do against such amultitude? One look into that woman's hopeless face has taken all thecourage from me. Ah, the resignation of it!" But when she appeared among the others a little later, gowned in sheerwhite, with touches of apple green here and there, and the gay, gracious manner of one pleased with the world, and having all reasonto believe the world pleased with her, no one could suspect that shehad any more serious problem to solve than that of arranging her ownamusements. Just now the things most interesting to her were the affairs of theConfederacy. Judge Clarkson answered all her questions with much goodhumor, mingled with amusement, for the Marquise, despite her Americansympathies, would get affairs hopelessly mixed when trying tocomprehend political and military intricacies; and then the gallantJudge would explain it all over again. Whether from Columbia orCharleston, he was always in touch with the latest returns, hopes, plans of the leaders, and possibilities of the Southern Confederacy, together with all surreptitious assistance from foreign sources, inwhich Great Britain came first and Spain close behind, each havingspecial reasons of their own for widening the breach in the union ofstates. From Mobile there came, also, through letters to Mrs. McVeigh, many ofthe plans and possibilities of the Southern posts--her brother beingstationed at a fort there and transmitting many interesting views andfacts of the situation to his sister on her more Northern plantation. Thus, although they were out of the whirl of border and coast strife, they were by no means isolated as regards tidings, and the fact was sowell understood that their less fortunate neighbors gathered often atthe Terrace to hear and discuss new endeavors, hopes and fears. "I like it, " confessed Judithe to Delaven, "they are like one greatfamily; in no country in the world could you see such unanimousenthusiasm over one central question. They all appear to know so manyof the representative people; in no other agricultural land could itbe so. And there is one thing especially striking to me in comparisonwith France--in all this turmoil there is never a scandal, nointrigues in high places such as we are accustomed to in a court whereMadame, the general's wife, is often quite as much of a factor in thepolitical scene as the general himself; it is all very refreshing to aforeigner. " "Our women of the South, " said the Judge, who listened, "are more ofan inspiration because they are never associated in our minds with anylife but that of the home circle and its refining influences. When ourwomen enter the arena, it is only in the heart and memory of some manwhose ideals, Madame, are higher, whose ambitions are nobler, becauseshe exists untouched by the notoriety attaching itself to the courtintrigues you mention, the notoriety too often miscalled fame. " "Right you are, Judge, " said Delaven, heartily. "After all, humannature is very much alike whether in kingdom or republic, and men lovebest the same sort of women the world over. " Matthew Loring entered the room just then, leaning on the arm ofGertrude, whose fair hair made harmony with the corn-colored lawn inwhich she looked daintily pretty, and as the two ladies faced eachother the contrasted types made a most effective picture. "You have not met the Marquise de Caron?" he asked of Gertrude; andthen with a certain pride in this last of the Lorings, he continued:"Madame la Marquise, allow me to present my niece, Miss Loring. " The blue eyes of the Carolina girl and the mesmeric amber eyes of theParisian met, with the slight conventional smile ladies favor eachother with, sometimes. There was decided interest shown by each in theother--an interest alert and questioning. Judithe turned brightly toLoring: "In your democratic land, my dear sir, I have dispensed with 'LaMarquise. ' While here I am Madame Caron, very much at your service, "and she made him a miniature bow. "We shall not forget your preference, Madame Caron, " said Gertrude, "it is a pretty compliment to our institutions. " Then she glanced atDelaven, "did we interrupt a dissertation on your favorite topic, Doctor?" "Never a bit; it's yourself is an inspiration to continue the sametopic indefinitely, " and he explained the difference Madame Caron hadnoticed in political matter with and without the feminine element. "For all that, there _are_ women in the political machines here, also, " said Loring, testily--"too many of them, secret agents, spies, and the like. Gertrude, what was it Captain Masterson reported aboutsome very dangerous person of that sort in New Orleans?--a womanwhose assistance to the Yankees was remarkable, and whose circle ofacquaintances was without doubt the very highest--did he learn hername?" "Why, no, Uncle Matthew; don't you remember he was finding fault with_our_ secret agents because they had not established her identity--infact, had only circumstantial evidence that it was a woman, thoughvery positive evidence that the person belonged to the higher socialcircle there. " "Faith, I should think the higher circle would be in a sorry whirljust then--not knowing which of your neighbors at dinner had a cup ordagger for you. " "The daggers were only figurative, " said the Judge, "but they werenone the less dangerous, and the shame of it! each innocent loyalSoutherner convinced that a traitor had been made as one ofthemselves--trusted as is the nature of Southerners when dealing withfriends, just as if, in this Eden-like abode, Mistress McVeigh shouldbe entertaining in any one of us, supposed to be loyal Southerners, atraitor to his country. " "How dreadful to imagine!" said Judithe, with a little gesture ofhorror, "and what do they do with them--those dangerous serpents ofEden?" "It isn't nice at all to hear about, Madame Caron, " spoke Aunt Sajane, who was, as usual, occupied with the unlovely knitting. "It gave mechills to hear Phil Masterson say how that spy would be treated whenfound--not even given time for prayers!" "Captain Masterson is most loyal and zealous, but given to slightextravagancies in such matters, " amended the Judge. "No woman has eversuffered the extreme penalty of military law for spy work, in thiscountry, and especially would it be impossible in the South. Imprisonment indefinitely and the probable confiscation of allproperty would no doubt be the sentence if, as in this suspected case, the traitoress were a Southern woman of means. But that seems scarcelycredible. I have heard of the affair mentioned, but I refuse tobelieve any daughter of the South would so employ herself. " "Thank you, Judge, " said Gertrude, very prettily; "any daughter of theSouth would die of shame from the very suspicion against her. " "Who is to die?" asked Mrs. McVeigh, coming in; "all of you, and ofhunger, perhaps, if I delay tea any longer. Come right on into thedining room, please, and let me hear this discussion of Southerndaughters, for I chance to be a daughter of the South myself. " Captain Philip Masterson, from an adjoining plantation, arrived afterthey were seated at the table, and was taken at once into the diningroom, where Judithe regarded with interest this extremist who wouldnot allow a secret agent of the North time for prayers. He did notlook very ferocious, though his manner had a bluntness not usual inthe Southern men she had met--a soldier above and beyond everythingelse, intelligent, but not broad, good looking with the good looks ofdark, curly hair, a high color, heavy mustache, which he had aweakness for caressing as he talked, and full, bold eyes roaming aboutpromiscuously and taking entire advantage of the freedom granted himat the Terrace, where he had been received as neighbor since boyhood. He was a cousin of Gertrude's, and it was not difficult to see thatshe was the first lady in the county to him, and the county was thecenter of Philip Masterson's universe. He was stationed at Charleston and was absent only for some necessarybusiness at Columbia, and hearing Judge Clarkson was at the Terrace hehad halted long enough to greet the folks and consult the Judge onsome legal technicality involved in his journey. Pluto, who had seen that the Captain's horse had also been givenrefreshment, came thoughtfully up the steps, puzzling his head overthe perfect rose cast aside on a pretense. It puzzled him quite asmuch as the problem of Louise; and the only key he could find to itwas that this very grand lady knew all about the identity of Louise, and knew why she had hurried away so when old Nelse recognized her. He wished he had that picture of Margeret, brought by Rosa fromGeorgia. But it was still with a lot of Rosa's things over at theLarue plantation, with the child. He counted on going over to see theboy in a week at the furthest. As he reached the top of the steps he could see Margeret through theopen window of the sitting room. Her back was towards him, and she wasso absorbed in regarding the party in the dining room that heapproached unnoticed, and she turned with a gasp as of fear when hespoke: "You're like to see more gay folks like that over here than you haveat Loringwood, " he remarked. "I reckon you glad to move. " "No, " she said, and went slowly towards the veranda; then she turnedand looked at him questionably, and with an interest seldom shown foranyone. "You--you heard news from Larue plantation?" she asked, hesitatingly. "Who, me? No, I aint had no news. I aint"--then he stopped and staredat her, slowly comprehending what news _might_ come from there. "Fo'God's sake, tell me! My Zekal; my--" She lifted her finger for silence and caught his arm. "They hear you--they will, " she said, warningly, "come in here. " She opened the door into the library and he followed; she could feelhis hand tremble, and his eyes were pleading and full of terror. Thelight chatter and laughter in the dining room followed them. "Sick?" and his eyes searched her face for reply, but she slowly shookher head and he caught his breath in a sob, as he whispered: "Daid! Mybaby, oh--" "Sh-h! He's alive--your boy. It's worse than that, maybe--and theynever let you know! Mr. Larue had gone down to Mexico, and theoverseer has published all his slaves to be sold--all sold, and yourchild--your little boy--" "God A'mighty!" He was silent after that half-whispered ejaculation. His face wascovered with his hands, while the woman stood regarding him, a worldof pity in her eyes. "They can't sell Zekal, " he said, at last, looking up. "Mahs Laruetole me plain he give me chance. I got some o' the money, thateighteen dollah I paid on Rosa's freedom--that gwine be countedin--then I got most nine dollah 'sides that yet, an' I gwine Mahs JeanLarue an' go down my knees fo' that boy, I will! He only pickaninny, my Zekal, an' I promise Rosa 'fore she died our boy gwine be free; soI gwine Mahs Larue, I--" Margeret shook her head. "He's gone, I tell you--gone to Mexico, more miles away than you couldcount; sold to the sugar plantation and left the colored folks forlawyer and overseer to sell. They all to be sold--a sale bill came toLoringwood yesterday. Men like overseers and lawyers never takeaccount of one little pickaninny among a hundred. One same as anotherto them--one same as another!" Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands, rocking fromside to side, overcome by memories of what had been. Pluto looked ather and realized from his own misery what hers had been. Again thelaughter and tinkle of tea things drifted in to them; some one wastelling a story, and then the laughter came more clearly. Plutolistened, and his face grew hard, brutish in its sullen hate. "And they can laugh, " he muttered, sullenly, "while my baby--my Rosa'sbaby--is sold to the traders, sold away where I nevah can find himagain; sold while the white folks laugh an' make merry, " and he raisedhis hand above his head in a fury of suppressed rage. "A curse onevery one of them! a curse--" Margeret caught his arm with a command to silence. "Hush! You got a kind master--a kind mistress. The people who laugh atthat table are not to blame on account of Rosa's master, who holdsyour child. " "You stand up fo' the race that took yo' chile from yo?" he demanded, fiercely. "That held yo' a slave when yo' was promised freedom? Thatdrove yo' wild fo' years with misery? The man is in that room who didall that, an' yo' stan' up fo' him along of the rest?" He paused, glowering down at her as if she, too, were white enough tohate. When she spoke it was very quietly, almost reprovingly. "My child died. What good was freedom to me without her? Where in allthis wide world would I go with my freedom if I had it? Free andalone? No, " and she shook her head sadly, "I would be like a childlost from home--helpless. The young folks laughing there never hurtme--never hurt you. " The people were leaving the dining room. Captain Masterson, who hadtime for but a brief call, was walking along the veranda in lowconverse with the Judge. Judithe had separated herself from the restand walked through the sitting room into the library, when she halted, surprised at those two facing each other with the air of arrestedcombat or argument. She recovered her usual manner enough to glance atthe clock, and as her eyes crossed Margeret's face she saw traces oftears there. "It is time, almost, for the mail up from Pocotaligo today, is it not, Pluto?" she said, moving towards a book-case. Receiving no reply, shestopped and looked at him, at which he recovered himself enough tomutter, "Yes, mist'ess, " and turned towards the door, his tremblingtones and the half-groping movement as he put his hand out before himshowed he was laboring under some emotion too intense for concealment, and involuntarily she made a gesture of command. "Wait! You have grief--some sad misfortune?" and she glanced from hisface to that of Margeret, questioningly. "Poor fellow--is it adeath?" "No death, and nothing to trouble a white lady with, " he said, withoutturning, and with hopeless bitterness in his voice; "not fit to betold 'long side o' white folks merry-maken', only--only Rosa, my boy'smother, died yeah ago ovah on Larue plantation, an' now the chilehisself--my Rosa's baby--gwine to be sold away--gwine to be sold tothe traders!" His voice broke in a sob; all the bitterness was drowned in the waveof grief under which his shoulders heaved, and his broken breaths madethe only sound in the room, as Judithe turned questioningly toMargeret, who bent her head in confirmation of his statement. "But, " and the questioner looked a trifle bewildered, "a little child, that would not mean a great expense, surely if your mistress, or yourmaster, knew, they would help you. " Margeret shook her head, and Pluto spoke more calmly. "Not likely; this war done crippled all the folks in money; that whyMahs Jean Larue sell out an' go ovah in Mexico; that why Loren'wood upfo' sale to strangers; that why Judge Clarkson done sell out his sharein cotton plantation up the river; ain't _nobody_ got hundreds thesedays, an' lawyers won't take promises. I done paid eighteen dollars onRosa when she died, but I ain't got no writin', " he went on, miserably, "that was to go on Zekal, an' I have 'nigh onto ninedollars 'sides that. I gwine take it ovah to Mahs Larue nex' week, sure, an' now--an'--now--" His words were smothered in a sigh; what use were words, anyway? Judithe felt that Margeret's eyes were on her face as shelistened--wistful, questioning eyes! Would the words be of no use? "The Jean Larue estate, " she said, meditatively, seating herself atthe table and picking up a pen, "and your wife was named Rosa?" "Yes'm. " He was staring at her as a man drowning might stare at a spardrifting his way on a chance wave; there was but the shadow of a hopein his face as he watched with parted lips the hand with the pen--andback of the shadow what substance! "And she is dead--how long?" "A yeah gone now. " "And Mr. Larue asks how much for her child?" "Hundred 'n' fifty dollar--this what he _said_, but, God knows, lawyers got hold o' things now, maybe even more 'n that now, an'anyway--" His words sounded vague and confused in his own ears, for she waswriting, and did not appear to hear. "Where is this Larue place?" she asked, glancing up. "I heard of aJean Larue plantation across in Georgia--is this it?" "No'm, " and he turned an eager look of hope towards Margeret at thispointed questioning, but her expression was unchanged; she only lookedat the strange lady who questioned and showed sympathy. "No, mist'ess, this Mahs Jean Larue did stay on they Georgy plantationtill five yeah back, then they move ovah to Callina again; that how Icome to meet up with Rosa. Larue place down river towards Beaufort--awhole day's walken'. " "What did you say this child was named?" she asked, without ceasingthe movement of the pen over the white paper. "His name Ezekal, but we ain't nevah call him anything but Zekal--he'sso little yet. " "And when is this sale to be?" Pluto looked helplessly towards Margeret. "Tomorrow week, Madame Caron, " she said, speaking for the first time, though her steady gaze had almost made Judithe nervous. It had apeculiar, appealing quality, which Judithe, with a little grimace, assured herself was so appealing it was compelling; it left her nochoice but to do what she was doing and for which she could take nocredit whatever to herself--the wistful eyes of the pale-facedbondwoman did it all. "In a week there is plenty of time to arrange it, " she said, turningkindly to Pluto. "You can rest in peace about your Rosa's boy. I willattend to it at once, and the traders shall never have him. " Margeret drew a sharp, inward breath of relief. "Yo' mean _you'll_ buy him in?" and Pluto's voice was scarcely morethan a whisper. "Yo' mean I'll have a chance, maybe, to buy him backsome day?" "Not 'some day, ' my good fellow, " and Judithe folded the paper she hadbeen writing; "from the day he is bought from the Larue estate he willhave his freedom. He will never be bought or sold again. " The man stared at her, helplessly. No hope of his had ever reached sohigh as _that_! He tried to speak--failed--and his face was covered byhis sleeve, as he went slowly out of the room. "Don't--don't you think Pluto ain't thankful, Madame Caron, " said thesoft tones of Margeret, and they were not quite steady tones, either. Judithe did not look up for fear she should see tears in themelancholy, dark eyes; "that black boy just so thankful he can'tspeak. He'll worship you for what you've done for him, and well hemay. " There was a soft rustle beside her--the presence of lips on her hand, and then Judithe was alone in the room, and stronger than when she hadentered it so short a while since, braced by the certainty that here, at least, she had been of use--practical use her own eyes could see, and all the evening a bird sang in her heart, and the grateful touchof the bondwoman's lips gave her more pleasure than she could rememberthrough the same tribute of any courtier. CHAPTER XXI. When Pluto brought her mail, an hour later, he tried to express moreclearly in words the utter happiness showing through every feature ofhis dark face, but she stopped him with a little gesture. "I see you are glad--no need to tell it, " she remarked, briefly; "ifyou want to thank me do it by helping any of your people whom you findin trouble. There are many of them, no doubt. " And when Mrs. McVeigh thanked her for doing what she could not havedone on such short notice, Judithe put the question aside quite aslightly. "The man is a very good groom, " she remarked. "I enjoyed my ride themore today for having him along to answer all my curious questions ofthe country. I meant to give him 'backsheesh, ' as the Orientals callit, so why not select what the fellow most wants--even though it be apickaninny?" "Well, he certainly is singing your praises down in the cook-house. Ieven heard several 'hallelujas' from Aunt Dilsey's particular corner. Judge Clarkson has endorsed the check and will send a white manhorseback with it to Larues in the morning. Pluto starts tonight onfoot across country--says he can't sleep, any way--he's so happy. Thewomen are arguing already as to which shall have the special care ofZekal. Altogether, you have created a sensation in the household, andwe all love you for it. " "What further recompense to be desired? It really is not worth so muchof praise. " "Kenneth will not think so when he comes home, " and Kenneth's motherslipped her arm around the girl's shoulder affectionately, notnoticing how her careless expression changed at mention of the name. "Oh! Will he, then, be interested in such small things as pickaninnies?"and her light words belied the look in her eyes. "Will he? Well, I should think so! You have done just what he wouldwant done--what he would do if it were possible. For two generationsthe McVeighs have neither bought nor sold slaves"--Judithe's eyes shotone disdainful flash--"just kept those inherited; but I'm sure thatboy of mine would have broken the rule for his generation in thiscase, and he'll be so grateful to you for it. Pluto was his playmateand respected monitor as a child, and Pluto's Zekal certainly willhave a place in his affections. " Judithe picked up one of several letters, over which she had glanced, and remarked that she would expect a visitor within a week--possiblyin a day or two, the master of her yacht, which from a letterreceived, she learned had reached Savannah before Louise. A storm hadbeen encountered somewhere along the southern coast, and he wouldsubmit the list of damages--not heavy, yet needing a certain amount ofrefitting. "Fortunate Louise did go down, " she said, with a certain satisfaction, as she laid down the communication. "She will be perfectly happy, evenhobbling around with a cane, if she is only buying things; shedelights in spending money;" then, after a pause, "I presume Col. McVeigh's return is still uncertain?" "Yes, rather; yet I fancy each morning he will come before night, andeach night that he may waken me in the morning. I have been living inthat delightful hopefulness for a week. " Lena called them and they went out to the rustic seat circling thegreat live oak at the foot of the steps. The others were there, andthe Judge was preparing to drive the three miles home with his sister. Now that the invalid was better, and the wanderer returned fromMobile, Aunt Sajane bethought herself of the possible sixes and sevensof her own establishment, and drove away with promises of frequentvisits on both sides. Long after the others had retired for the night Judithe's lightburned, and there was little of the careless butterfly of fashionin her manner as she examined one after another of the letters broughther by the last mail, and wrote replies to some she meant to take tothe office herself during her early morning ride; it was sodelightful to have an errand, and Pluto had shown her the road. After all the others were done she picked up again the communicationshe had shown to Mrs. McVeigh--the report from the yacht master, andfrom the same envelope extracted a soft silken slip of paper withmarks peculiar--apparently mere senseless scratches of a thoughtlesspen, but it was over that paper and the reply most of the eveningwas spent. It was the most ancient method of secret writing knownto history, yet, apparently, so meaningless that it might passunnoticed even by the alert, or be turned aside as the ambitiousscrawlings of a little child. Each word as deciphered she had pencilled on a slip of paper, and whencomplete it read: "Courant brings word McV. Is likely to be of special interest. If hetravels with guard we can't interfere on road from coast, and youwill be only hope. A guard of Federals will be landed north ofBeaufort and await your orders. Messenger will communicate soon asmovements are known. You may expect Pierson. We await your orders orany suggestions. " There was no signature. Her orders or suggestions were written in thesame cipher, and required much more time and thought than had beengiven to the buying and freeing of Pluto's pickaninny, after which shedestroyed all unnecessary writings, and retired with the satisfiedfeeling of good work done and better in prospect, and in a short timewas sleeping the calm, sweet sleep of a conscienceless child. She rode even further next morning than she had the preceding day, when Pluto was her guide, and she rode as straight east as she couldgo towards the coast. When she met colored folk along the road shehalted, and spoke with them, to their great delight. She asked of theolder ones where the road led to, and were the pine woods everywherealong it, and what about swamps and streams to ford, etc. , etc. Altogether, she had gained considerable knowledge of that especialterritory by the time she rode back to the Terrace and joined the restat the late breakfast. She had been in the saddle since dawn, andrecounted with vivacity all the little episodes of her solitaryconstitutional; the novelty of it was exhilarating. That it appeared atrifle eccentric to a Southerner did not suggest itself to her; allher eccentricities were charming to the McVeigh household, and Delavenlamented he had not been invited as proxy for Pluto, and amused thebreakfast party by anecdotes of hunting days in Ireland, and theenergy and daring of the ladies who rode at dawn there. Several times during the day Judithe attempted to have a tete-a-tetewith Mrs. McVeigh, and learn more about Miss Loring's silent maid, who was the first person she saw on her return from the ride thatmorning. The absolute self-effacement of an individual whose reposesuggested self-reliance, and whose well shaped head was poised soadmirably as to suggest pride, made the sad-faced servant afascinating personality to any one interested in questions concerningher race. No other had so won her attention since she made compactwith Kora in Paris. But Mistress McVeigh was a very busy woman that day. Pluto'sabsence left a vacancy in the establishment no other could fill sointelligently. Miss Loring had promptly attached herself as generalassistant to the mistress of the house. Delaven noticed how naturallyshe fell into the position of an elder daughter there, and, remembering Evilena's disclosures at Loringwood, and Matthew Loring'sown statement, he concluded that the wedding bells might sound at anytime after Kenneth's return, and he fancied they had been delayed, already, three years longer than suited the pleasure of her uncle. Delaven, as well as Judithe, was attracted by the personality ofMargeret. In the light, or the shadow, of the sad story he hadlistened to, she took on a new interest, an atmosphere of romancesurrounded her. He pictured what her life must have been as a child, amid the sunshine of Florida, the favorite of her easy-living, easy-loving Greek father, the sole relic of some pretty slave! As shewalked silently along the halls of the Terrace, he tried to realizeNelse's description of her gayety, once, in the halls of Loringwood. And when he observed the adoring eyes with which she regarded theMarquise after the pickaninny episode, he understood it was anotherchild she was thinking of--a child who should have been freed, and wasnot, and the feelings of Pluto were as her own. Two entire days passed without Pluto's return. There was some delay, owing to the absence of the overseer from the Larue estate; then, Zekal was ailing, and that delayed him until sundown of the secondday, when he took the child in his arms--his own child now--and withits scanty wardrobe, and a few sundry articles of Rose's, all savedreligiously by an old "aunty, " who had nursed her--he started homewardon his long night tramp, so happy he scarce felt the weight of the boyin his arms, or that of the bundle fastened with a rope across hisshoulders. He had his boy, and the boy was free! and when he thoughtof the stranger who had wrought this miracle his heart swelled withgratitude and the tears blinded him as he tramped homeward through thedarkness. The first faint color of dawn was showing in the east when he walkedinto Dilsey's cook-house and showed the child asleep in his arms. What a commotion! as the other house servants mustered in, sleepily, and straightway were startled very wide awake indeed, and eachinsisted on feeling the weight of the newcomer, just, Dilsey said, asif there never was a child seen on that plantation before. And all hadcures for the "brashy" spell the little chap had been afflicted by, and which seemed frightened away entirely, as he looked about him witheyes like black beads. All the new faces, and the petting, were arevelation to Zekal. Dilsey put up with it till everything else seemed at a standstill inthe morning's work, when she scattered the young folks right and leftto their several duties, got Pluto an excellent breakfast, and gavethe child in charge of one of the mothers in the quarters till"mist'ess" settled about him. "Yo' better take his little duds, too, Lucy, " suggested Pluto, as theboy was toddling away with her, contentedly, rich in the possessionof two little fists full of sweet things; "they're tied up in thatbandana--not the blue one! That blue one got some o' his mammy'sthings I gwine look over; maybe might be something make him shirts oraprons, an' if there is a clean dress in that poke I--I like to haveit put on 'im 'fore she sees him--Madame Caron, an', an' Mist'ess, o'course! I like her to see he's worth while. " Then he asked questions about what all had been done in his absence, and learned there had been company coming and going so much MahsLoring had his meals in his own room, "'cause o' the clatter theymade. " Margeret had been over at the Pines with Miss Loring to seeabout the work already commenced there, and Madame Caron and Miss Lenaand Dr. Delaven just amused themselves. He learned that the mail had been detained and no one had gone for it, and, tired though he was, started at once. He had noticed MadameCaron's mail was of daily importance, and it should not be neglectedby him even if company did make the others forgetful. He was especially pleased that he had gone, when the postmaster handedover to him, besides several other letters and papers, a large, important-looking envelope for the Marquise de Caron--a titledifficult for Pluto to spell; though he recognized it at sight. The lady herself was on the veranda, in riding garb, when he presentedhimself, and she smiled as she caught sight of that special envelopeamong the rest. "Margeret tells me you brought back the boy, " she said, glancing up, after peering in the envelope and ascertaining its contents, "and, Pluto, you paid me for Zekal when you brought this letter to me--sothe balance is even. " Pluto made no comment--only shook his head and smiled. He could notcomprehend how any letter, even a big one, could balance Zekal. She retired to her room to examine the other letters, while Plutoplaced the mail for the rest at their several places on the breakfasttable. Judithe unfolded the large enclosure and gave a sigh of utter contentas her eyes rested on the words there. They conveyed to the Marquisede Caron, of France, an estate in South Carolina outlined anddescribed and known as Loringwood. The house was sold furnished as itstood, and there followed an inventory of contents, excepting onlyfamily china and portraits. "Not such an unlucky journey, after all, despite the coffins in thetea cups, " and she smiled at the fearful fancies of Louise, as shelaid the paper aside; for the time it had made her forget there wereother things equally important. There was another letter, without signature. It said: "McVeigh is inCharleston, detained by official matters. Pierson leaves withparticulars. Mail too irregular to be reliable. Your latest word fromColumbia most valuable; we transmitted it as you suggested. Yourlocation fortunate. The Powers at W. Delighted with your success, butdoubtful of your safety--unhealthy climate except for the natives!Report emancipation will be proclaimed, but nothing definite heardyet. " She removed her habit and joined the rest at the breakfast table, cladin the daintiest of pink morning gowns, and listened with pleasedsurprise to Mrs. McVeigh's information that her son, the Colonel, might be expected at any time. They had passed the blockadesuccessfully, reached Charleston two nights before; were detained byofficial matters, and hoped, surely, to reach home within twenty-fourhours after the letter. His stay, however, would have to be brief, ashe must move north at once with his regiment. And in the midst of the delight, Judithe created a sensation byremarking: "Well, my good people, I am not going to allow the Colonel all thesurprise. I have had one of my own this morning, and I can scarcelywait to share it with you. It is the most astonishing thing!" and sheglanced around at the expectant faces. "If it's of interest to you, it will be the wide world's worth to us, "affirmed Delaven, with exaggerated show of devotion, at which shelaughed happily, and turned to her hostess. "You remember I informed you in Mobile I meant to sell my Orleansproperty, as I would not occupy it under existing rule;" to whichexplanation Matthew Loring actually beamed commendation, "well, I leftit in the hands of my business man with orders to invest the moneyfrom the sale in some interior plantations not under Federal control. I wanted a house furnished, colonial by choice--some historicalmansion preferred. The particular reason for this is, I have norelatives, no children to provide for, and the fancy has come to mefor endowing some educational institution in your land, and for suchpurpose a mansion such as I suggested would, in all ways bepreferable. Well, they forwarded me a list of properties. I sent themback unread lest I should covet them all, for they all would cost solittle! I repeated to them the description Madame McVeigh had given meof your ancestral home, my dear sir, and told them to secure me aproperty possessing just such advantages as yours does--near enough tothe coast for yachting, and far enough from cities to be out of socialchains, except the golden one of friendship, " she added, letting hereyes rest graciously on her listeners. "Well, can you surmise theresult of that order?" Each looked at the other in wonder; her smile told half the truth. "I am afraid to put my surmise in words, " confessed Mrs. McVeigh, "forfear of disappointment. " "I'm not!" and Evilena flourished her napkin to emphasize her delight, "its Loringwood! Oh, oh, Madame Caron, you've bought Loringwood!" Margeret was entering the room with a small tray containing somethingfor Mr. Loring, whose meals she prepared personally. Delaven, who wasfacing her, saw her grow ashen, and her eyes closed as though struck aphysical blow; a glass from the tray shivered on the floor, as hesprang up and saved her from falling. "What ails you, Margeret?" asked Gertrude, with the ring of the silversounding through her tones. "There--she is all right again, Dr. Delaven. Don't come into the dining room in future unless you feelquite well. Uncle can't endure crashes, or nervous people, abouthim. " "I know; I beg pardon, Miss Gertrude, Mistress McVeigh, " andMargeret's manner was above reproach in its respectful humility, though Delaven observed that the firm lips were white; "the kitchenwas very warm. I--I was faint for a minute. " "Never mind about the glass, Caroline will pick it up, " said Mrs. McVeigh, kindly; "you go lay down awhile, it is very warm in thekitchen. Dilsey always will have a tremendous fire, even to fry an eggon; go along now--go rest where it's cool. " Margeret bent her head in mute acknowledgment of the kindness, andpassed out of the room. Mr. Loring had pushed his plate away with animpatient frown, signifying that breakfast was over for him, any way. Delaven, noticing his silence and the grim expression on his face, wondered if he, too, was doubtful of that excuse uttered by the woman. The kitchen, no doubt, was warm, but he had seen her face as she heardEvilena's delighted exclamation; it was the certainty that Loringwoodwas actually sold--Loringwood, and that grave under the pines?Possibly she had fostered hope that it might not be yet--not for along time, and the suddenness of it had been like a physical shock tothe frail, devoted woman. He had reasoned it out like that, and hiswarm, Irish heart ached for her as she left the room, and, glancingabout the table, he concluded that only Matthew Loring and himselfsuspected the truth, or knew the real reason of her emotion, thoughthe eyes of the Marquise did show a certain frank questioning as theymet his own. "Margeret's fit just frightened the plantation away for a minute, "resumed Evilena, "but do own up, Madame Caron, is it Loringwood?" "Yes, " assented Judithe, "the letter from my lawyer, this morning, informs me it is really Loringwood. " "I am very much pleased to hear it, Madame, " and Matthew Loring's tonewas unusually hearty. "Since we part with it at all, I am pleased thatno scrub stock gets possession. The place is perfectly adapted to theuse you have planned, and instead of falling into neglect, the oldhome will become a monument to progress. " "So I hope, " replied Judithe, with a subtle light, as of stars, in thedepths of her eyes; "I am especially delighted to find that the oldfurnishings remain; it would be difficult for me to collect articlesso in keeping with the entire scheme of arrangement, and it wouldmake a discord to introduce new things from the shops. " "You will find no discords of _that_ sort at Loringwood, " saidGertrude, speaking for the first time; "and, I hope, not many of anykind. Many of the heavy, massive old things I disliked to part with, but they would be out of place at the Pines, or, in fact, in any houseless spacious. Like uncle, I am pleased it goes into the keeping ofone who appreciates the artistic fitness of the old-fashionedfurnishings. " "Which she has never seen yet, " supplemented Evilena, as Judithereceived this not very cordial compliment with a little bow and abrilliant smile. "We will remedy that just as soon as we can secure an invitation fromthe present lady of the manor, " she said, in mock confidence toEvilena, across the table, at which the rest laughed, and Mr. Loringdeclared that now she was the lady of the manor herself, and his oneregret was that he and his niece were not there to make her firstentrance a welcome one. "That would certainly add to the pleasure of the visit, " and her smilewas most gracious. "But even your wish to welcome me makes it all themore delightful. I shall remember it when I first enter the door. " Gertrude made an effort to be cordial, but that it was an effort Mrs. McVeigh easily discerned, and when they were alone, she turned to herin wonder: "What is it, dear? Are you displeased about the sale? I feel soresponsible for it; but I fancied it would be just what you wouldwant. " "So it is, too; but--oh, I had no idea it could all be settled soquickly as this!" "When people never hesitate to telegraph, even about trifles, andJudithe never does, they can have business affairs moved veryquickly, " explained Mrs. McVeigh; "but what possible reason have youfor objecting to the settlement?" "I don't object, but--you will think me silly, perhaps--but, I amsorry it is out of our hands before Kenneth returns. I should like tohave him go over the old place, just once, before strangers claimit. " "Never mind, dear, the nearer you are to the Terrace the better thatKenneth will like it, and the Pines is a great improvement in thatway. " "Yes; still it was at Loringwood I first saw him. Do you remember? Youfolks had just moved here from Mobile; it was my tenth birthday, and Ihad a party. Kenneth was the beau of the whole affair, because he wasa new-comer, and a 'town boy, ' and, I remember, we compared ages andfound that he was three months older than I, and for a long time heassumed superior airs in consequence, " and she smiled at theremembrance. "Well, Uncle Matthew is delighted, and I suppose I shouldbe. It ends all our money troubles for awhile, any way. Now, what areyou planning for Kenneth's home coming? All the people will want tosee him. " "And so they shall. We certainly can depend on him for tomorrow night, and we will have a party. Pluto shall start with the invitations atonce. " And Pluto did, just as soon as he had brought Zekal around for aninspection, which proved so entirely satisfactory that Evilenathreatened to adopt him right away. He should be her own especial boysoon as he was big enough to run errands, which statement appeared tomake an impression on Zekal not anticipated, for he so delighted togaze on the pretty young white lady who petted him, that he objectedlustily to being removed from the light of her countenance; andDelaven gave him a coin and informed him that he felt like himself, often. This remark, made in the presence of Madame Caron, who laughed, brought on a tilt at hostilities between himself and Miss Evilena, whodeclared he was mocking her, and trying to render her ridiculous inthe eyes of the only foreigner she admired excessively! He endeavoredto persuade her to extend the last by warbling "Sweet Evilena, " whichshe declared she could not endure to hear for three distinct reasons. "Let's hear them, " he suggested, continuing the low humming: "Ten years have gone by And I have not one dollar; Evilena still lives In that green grassy hollow. " "There! what sort of man would he be, any way?" she demanded, "a manwho couldn't earn a dollar in ten years!" "Arrah, now! and there's many a one of us travels longer and findsless, and never gets a song made about him, either; so, that's yourfirst reason, is it?" "And a very good one, too!" affirmed the practical damsel; "do youwant to hear the second?" "An' it please your sovereign grace!" "Well, it doesn't, for you can't sing it, " and she emphasized thestatement by flaunting her garden hat at every word. "Me, is it? Ah, now, listen to that! I can't sing it, can't I? Well, then, I'll practice it all day and every day until you change yourmind about that, my lady!" "I shan't; for I've heard it sung so much better--and by a boy _whowore a uniform_--and that's the third reason. " After that remark she walked up the steps very deliberately, and wasvery polite to him when they met an hour later, which politeness wasthe foundation for a feud lasting forty-eight hours; she determinedthat his punishment should be nothing _less_ than that; it would teachhim not to make her a laughing stock again. He should find he had notan Irish girl to tease, and--and make love to--especially before otherfolks! And to shorten the season of her displeasure, he evolved a planpromising to woo the dimples into her cheeks again, for, if nothingbut a uniformed singer was acceptable to her, a uniformed singer sheshould have. For the sake of her bright eyes he was willing to humorall her reasonable fancies--and most of her unreasonable ones. Theconsequences of this particular one, however, were something he couldnot foresee. CHAPTER XXII. The O'Delaven, as he called himself when he was in an especially Irishmood, was Mistress McVeigh's most devoted servant and helper in thepreparations for the party. In fact, when Judge Clarkson rode over topay his respects, a puzzled little frown persistently crept betweenhis brows at the gallantry and assiduity displayed by this exile ofErin in carrying out the charming lady's orders, to say nothing of thegayety, the almost presumption, with which he managed affairs to suithis own fancy when his hostess was not there to give personalattention; and the child Evilena was very nearly, if not quiteignored, or at any rate, was treated in a condescending manner almostparental in its character, and which he perceived was as littlerelished by the girl as by himself. He was most delighted, of course, to learn who was the purchaser ofLoringwood--it was such an admirable transaction he felt everybodyconcerned was to be congratulated; even war news was forgotten for aspace. All the day passed and no Kenneth! His mother decided he would bethere the following morning, and, with flags draped over walls, andall the preparations complete for his reception, she retired, wearyand happy from the day's labors. Judithe eyed those flags with the same inscrutable smile sometimesgiven to Matthew Loring's compliments. She pointed to them nextmorning, when Delaven and herself stood in the hall waiting for theirhorses. She had accepted him as cavalier for the time, and they weregoing for a ride in the cool of the morning before the others werestirring. Margeret was in sight, however--Judithe wondered if she _ever_slept--and she came to them with delicious coffee and crisp toast, andwatched them as they rode away. It was while sipping the steaming coffee the flags were noticed, andJudithe remarked: "Those emblems mean so much down here, yet I neverhear you discuss them, or what they stand for. Your nation is onealways in rebellion against its unsympathetic governess. I shouldthink you would naturally tend towards the seceders here. " "I do--towards several, individually, " and he looked at her over therim of the cup with quizzical blue eyes. "But I find three factionshere instead of two, and my people have been too long under theoppressor for me not to appreciate what freedom would mean to theseserfs in the South, and how wildly they long for it. No; I like theSoutherners better than the Northerners, because I know them better;but in the matter of sympathy, faith! I forget both the warringfactions and only think of Sambo and Sambo's wife and children. " Judithe raised her finger, as Margeret entered with the toast andquietly vanished. "I was afraid she would hear you. I fancy they must feel sensitiveover the situation; speak French, please. What was it the Judge wassaying about emancipation last evening? I noticed the conversation waschanged as Mr. Loring grew--well, excited. " "Oh, the old story; rumors again that the Federal government mean toproclaim freedom for the blacks. But when it was done in two states bythe local authorities, it was vetoed at Washington; so it is doubtfulafter all if it is true, there are so many rumors afloat. But if it isdone there will be nothing vague about it. I fancy it will be said sogood and loud that there will be a panic from ocean to ocean. " "Insurrection?" "No; the Judge is right; there is a peculiar condition of affairs hereprecluding the possibility of that unless in isolated instances, acertain personal sympathy between master and slave which a foreignerfinds difficult of comprehension. " "What about the runaways?" she asked, with a little air of check, "several of them have escaped the sympathetic bonds in that way; infact, they tell me Mr. Loring, or his niece, has lately lost some veryvaluable live stock through that tendency. " "Whisper now!--though I believe it is a very open secret in thecommunity, the gentleman in question, my dear Marquise, is one of theisolated instances. If you are studying social institutions in thiscountry you must make a note of that, and underline it with red ink. He is by no means the typical Southerner. He is, however, a proof ofthe fact that it is a dangerous law which allows every one possessingwealth an almost unlimited power over scores of human beings. To besure, he is mild as skim-milk these days of convalescence, but thereare stories told of the use he made of power when he dared, that wouldwarrant the whole pack taking to their heels if they had the courage. They are not stories for ladies' ears, however, and I doubt if MissLoring herself is aware of them. But in studying the country here, don't forget that my patient is one in a thousand--better luck to therest. " "So!" and she arose, drawing on her glove slowly, and regarding himwith a queer little smile; "you _have_ been giving thought tosomething besides the love songs of this new country? Your ideas arevery interesting. I shall remember them, even without the red ink. " Then they mounted the impatient horses and rode out in the pink flushof the morning--the only hours cool enough for the foreigners toexercise at that season. They were going no place in particular, butwhen the cross-country road was reached leading to Loringwood, shesuddenly turned to him and proposed that he conduct her to her newpurchase--introduce her to Loringwood. "With all the pleasure in life, " he assented gaily, somewhat curiousto see how she would like the "pig in a poke, " as he designated herbusiness transaction. When they reached the gate she dismounted and insisted on walkingthrough the long avenue she had admired. He was going to lead thehorses, but she said, "No, tie them to the posts there, they were bothwell behaved, tractable animals;" she could speak for her mount at anyrate. Pluto had told her it was Col. McVeigh's favorite, trained byhimself. She wore a thin silken veil of palest grey circling her hat, coveringher face, and the end fastened in fluffy loops on her bosom. Her habitwas of cadet grey, with a military dash of braid on epaulettes andcuff; the entire costume was perfect in its harmonious lines, andadmirably adapted to the girlish yet stately figure. Delaven, lookingat her, thought that in all the glories of the Parisian days he hadnever seen la belle Marquise more delightful to the eye than on thatoft-to-be-remembered September morning. She was unusually silent as they walked along the avenue, but her eyeswere busy and apparently pleased at the prospect before her, and whenthey reached the front of the house she halted, surveyed the wholeplace critically, from the lazy wash of the river landing to the greatpillars of the veranda, and drew a little breath of content. "Just what I expected, " she remarked, in reply to his question. "Ihope the river is not too shallow. Can we go in? I should like to, butnot as the owner, please. They need not know of the sale until theLorings choose to tell them. " Little Raquel had opened the door, very much pleased at their arrival. She informed them "Aunt Chloe laid up with some sort of misery, andBetsey, who was in the cook-house, she see them comen' an' she havesome coffee for them right off, " and she was proceeding with otheraffairs of entertainment when Judithe interrupted: "No coffee, nothing for me. Now, Doctor, if you want to show me thelibrary; you know we must not linger, this is to be a busy day at theTerrace. " They had gone through the lower rooms, of which she had little to say. He had shown her the dashing portrait of Marmeduke Loring and givenher a suggestion of the character as heard from Nelse. He had shownher the pretty, seraphic portrait of Gertrude as a little child, andthe fair, handsome face of Tom Loring, as it looked down from thecanvas with a smile for all the world in his genial eyes. They had made no further progress when Raquel appeared upon the sceneagain with a request from Aunt Chloe, "Would Mahs Doctor come roun'an' tell her jest what ailed her most, she got so many cu'eouscompercations. " He followed to see what the complications were, and thus it happenedthat Judithe was left alone to look around her new possessions. But she did not look far. After a brief glance about she returned tothe last portrait, studying the frank, handsome face critically. "And thou wert the man, " she murmured. "Why don't such men bear facesto suit their deeds, that all people may avoid the evil of them? Fair, strong, and appealing!" she continued, enumerating the points of thepicture, "and a frank, honest gaze, too; but the painter had probablybeen false in that, and idealized the face. Yet I have seen eyes thatwere as honest looking, cover a vile soul, so why not this one?" The eyes that were as honest looking were the deep sea-blue eyes shehad described once to Dumaresque, confessing with light mockery theirwitchcraft over her; she thanked God those days were over. She had nowsomething more to dream over than sentimental fancies. She heard the quick beat of horse hoofs coming up the avenue andstopping at the door; then, a man's voice: "Good morning, Jeff--any of our folks over from the Terrace?" "Yes, sah; good mawn, sah; leastwise I jest saw Miss Gertrude go in;they all stayen' ovah at Terrace; I reckon she rode back forsomething. I reckon you find her in library; window's open thah. " The man's voice replied from the hall, "All right, " and he opened thedoor. "Good morning, little woman, " he said, cheerily, boyishly. "When I sawHector at the gate with the side saddle I thought--" What he thought was left unfinished. The slender figure in grey turnedfrom the window, and throwing back the veil with one hand extended theother to him, with an amused smile at his mistake. "_Judithe_!" He had crossed the room; he held her hand in both of his;he could not otherwise believe in the reality of her presence. Indreams he had seen her so often thus, with the smile and the light asof golden stars deep in the brown eyes. "Welcome to Loringwood, Col. McVeigh, " she said, softly. "Your welcome could make it the most delightful homecoming of mylife, " he said, looking down at her, "if I dared be sure I was quitewelcome to your presence. " "I am your mother's guest, " and she met his gaze with cordialfrankness; "would that be so if--oh, yes, you may be very sure I ampleased to see you home again, and especially pleased to see youhere. " "You are? Judithe, I beg pardon, " as she raised her brows in slightquestion. "I am not accountable this morning, Marquise; with a littletime to recover myself in, I may grow more rational. To find you hereis as much a surprise as though I had met you alone at sea in an openboat. " "Alone--at sea--in an open boat, " she repeated, with a curiousinflection; "but you perceive, Col. McVeigh, the situation is not atall like that. I am under my own roof tree, and a very substantial oneit is, " with a comprehensive glance about the imposing apartment; "andyou are the first guest I have welcomed here--I am much pleased thatit happened so. " When he stared at this bit of information shecontinued: "I have just made purchase of the estate from your friends, the Lorings--this is my first visit to it, and you are my firstcaller. You perceive I am really your neighbor, Monsieur. " His eyes were bent on her with mute question; it all seemed soincredible that she should come there at all--to his country, to hishome. He had left France cursing her coquetry; he had, because of her, gone straight to the frontier on his return to America, and lived thelife of camps ever since; he had fancied no woman would ever againhold the sway over him she had held for that one brief season. Yet thegraciousness of her tone, the frank smile in her eyes, and the touchof her hand--the beautiful hand!-- Delaven came in, and there were more explanations; then, to the regretof Raquel and Betsey, they left for the Terrace without partaking ofthe specially prepared coffee. Col. McVeigh had ridden from the coastwith a party of the state guard, who were going to the riverfortifications. Seeing his own saddle horse at the gate he had letthem go on to the Terrace without him, while he stopped, thinking tofind his mother or sister there. The new mistress of Loringwood listened with an interested expressionto this little explanation, and no one would have thought there wasany special motive in leaving the horse tied there on the only road hewould be likely to come, or that his statement that he traveled with aparty of military friends conveyed a distinct message to her of workto be done. She did not fail to notice that Col. McVeigh was a much handsomer manthan the lieutenant had been. He appeared taller, heavier--a stalwartsoldier, who had lost none of his impetuousness, and had even gainedin self confidence, but for all that the light of boyhood was in hiseyes as he looked at her, and she, well satisfied that it was so, rodehappily to the Terrace beside him, only smiling when he pointed out aclump of beeches and said he never passed without thinking of thetrees at Fontainbleau. "And, " with a little mocking glance, "do the violets and forget-me-notsalso grow among the bushes here?" "Yes;" and he returned her mocking look with one so deliberate thather eyes dropped, "the forget-me-not is hardy in my land, you know; itlives always if encouraged. " "Heavens!--will the man propose to me again before we reach the houseor have breakfast?" she thought, and concluded it more wise to dropsuch dangerous topics. Until her expected messenger came she could notquite decide what was to be done or what methods employed. "Forget-me-nots, is it?" queried Delaven, in strict confidence withhimself; "oh, but you've been clever, the pair of you, to get so faras forget-me-nots, and no one the wiser;" then aloud he said, "I've anidea that the best beloved man on the plantation this day will be theone who announces your coming, Colonel; so if you'll look after Madamela Marquise--" And then he dashed ahead congratulating himself on the way he washelping the Colonel. "It's well to have a friend at court, " he decided, "and it's myselfmay need all I can get--for pill boxes are a bad balance forplantations, Fitz; faith, they'll be flung to the moon at firsttilt. " The two left alone had three miles to go and seemed likely to make thejourney in silence. She was a trifle dismayed at Delaven's desertion, and could find no more light words. She attempted some questionsconcerning the blockade, but his replies showed his thoughts wereelsewhere. "It is no use, " he said, abruptly. "I have only forty-eight hours toremain; I may not see you again for a year, perhaps, never, for I goat once to the front. There is only one thought in my mind, and youknow what it is. " "To conquer the Yankees?" she hazarded. "No, to conquer some pride or whim of the girl who confessed once thatshe loved me. " "Take my advice, Monsieur, " she said with a cool little smile. "Nodoubt you have been fortunate enough to hear those words manytimes--I should think it quite probable, " and she let her eyes restapprovingly for a moment on his face; "but it is well to considerthe girls who make those avowals before you place full credence onthe statement--not that they _always_ mean to deceive, " she amended, "but those three words have a most peculiar fascination forgirlhood--they like to use them even when they do not comprehendthe meaning. " He shook his head as he looked at her. "It is no use, Madame la Marquise, " he said, and the ardent eyes mether own and made her conscious of a sudden fear. "You reason it outvery well--philosophy is one of your hobbies, isn't it? I alwaysdetested women with hobbies--the strong-minded woman who reasonsinstead of feeling; and now you are revenging the whole army of themby making me feel beyond reason. But you shan't evade me by suchtactics. Do you remember what your last spoken words to me were, threeyears ago?" Her face paled a little, she lifted the bridle to urge her horseonward, but he laid his hand on her wrist. "No, pardon me, but I must speak to you--day and night I have thoughtof them, and now that you are here--oh, I know you sent me away--thatis, you hid from me; and why, Judithe? I believe on my soul it wasbecause you meant those words when you said: '_I love you now, andfrom the first moment you ever looked at me!_' I told myself at first, when I left France, that it was all falsehood, coquetry--but I couldnot keep that belief, for the words rang too true--you thought youwere going over that bank to death, and all your heart was in yourvoice and your eyes. That moment has come back to me a thousand timessince; has been with me in the thick of battle, singing through myears as the bullets whistled past. '_I love you now, and from thefirst moment you ever looked at me. _' It is no use to pretend you didnot mean those words then. I know in my heart you did. You were boundin some way, no doubt, and fancied you had no right to say them. Theannouncement of your engagement suggested that. But you are free now, or you would not be here, and I must be heard. " "Be satisfied then, " she replied, indifferently, though her handtrembled on the bridle, "you perceive you have, thanks to yourstronger arm, an audience of one. " "You are angry at my presumption--angry at the advantage I have takenof the situation?" he asked. "I grant you are right; but remember, itis now or perhaps never with me; and it is the presumption of love--awoman should forgive that. " "They usually do, Monsieur, " she replied, with a little shrug andglance of amusement. For one bewildered instant she had lost controlof herself, and had only the desire to flee; but it was all over now, she remembered another point to be made in the game--something topostpone the finale until she had seen Pierson. "It is not just to me, " he said, meeting her mocking glance with onethat was steadfast and determined. "However your sentiments havechanged, I know you cared for me that day, as I have cared for youever since, and now that you have come here--to my own country, to mymother's house, I surely may ask this one question: Why did you acceptthe love I offered, and then toss it away almost in the same breath?" "I may reply by another question, " she said, coolly. "What right hadyou to make any offers of love to me at any time? What right have younow?" "What right?" "Yes; does your betrothed approve? Is that another of the freeinstitutions in your land of liberties?" "What do you mean?--my betrothed?" "Your betrothed, " she said, and nodded her head with that same coollittle smile. "I heard her name that evening of the drive you rememberso well; our friend, the Countess Helene, mentioned it to me--possiblyfor fear my very susceptible heart might be won by your protection ofus, " and she glanced at him again, mockingly. "You had forgotten tomention it to me, but it really does not matter, I have learned sincethen that gentlemen absolutely cannot go around reciting the lists offormer conquests--it is too apt to prevent the acquisition of newones. I did not realize it then--there were so many things I could notrealize; and I felt piqued at your silence; but, " with an expressivelittle gesture and a bright smile, "I am no longer so. I come to yourhome; I clasp hands with you; I meet your bride-elect, MissLoring--she is remarkably pretty, Monsieur, and I am quite preparedto dance at your wedding; therefore--" "Marquise, on my honor as a man, " he did not see the scornful light inher eyes as he spoke of his honor; "there has never been a word oflove between Gertrude Loring and myself; it is nothing but familygossip dating from the time we were children, and encouraged by heruncle for reasons entirely financial. We have both ignored it. We areall fond of her, and I believe my mother at one time did hope it wouldbe so arranged, but I hope she wins a better fellow than myself; shecares no more for me than I for her. " They had turned into the Terrace grounds. Evilena was running out tomeet them. She was so close now she could hear what he said if it werenot for her own swiftness. "Judithe! One word, a look; you believe me?" She said nothing, but she did flash one meaning glance at him, andthen his sister was at the stirrup and he swung out of the saddle tokiss her. CHAPTER XXIII. "Of course we are anxious to hear all you dare tell us about thesuccess of your mission over there, " said his mother, an hour later, when the riders had done justice to a delightful breakfast. "Are allthe arrangements made by our people entirely satisfactory?" "Entirely, mother. This is the twenty-second of September, isn't it?Well, it is an open secret now. The vessel secured goes intocommission today, and will be called the Alabama. " "Hurrah for the Alabama!" cried Evilena, who was leaning on the backof her brother's chair. He put his arm around her and turned toJudithe. "Have you become acquainted with the patriotic ardor of my littlesister?" he asked. "I assure you we have to fight these days if wewant to keep the affections of our Southern girls. " Gertrude smiled across the table at him. "I can't fancy you having to fight very hard battles along that line, Monsieur, " replied Judithe, in the cool, half mocking tone she hadadopted for all questions of sentiment with him; and Gertrude, who sawthe look exchanged between them, arose from the table. "Uncle Matthew asked to see you when you have time, Kenneth. " "Thanks, yes; I'll go directly. Mother, why not ask the boys of theguard to stop over for your party? They are of Phil Masterson'scompany--all Carolina men. " "Of course, I shall invite them personally, " and she left the room tospeak to the men who were just finishing breakfast under an arbor, andcongratulating themselves on the good luck of being travellingcompanions of Colonel McVeigh. Evilena waltzed around the table in her delight at the entirearrangement; boys in uniform; the longed-for additions to thefestivities, and they would have to be a formidable lot if she couldnot find one of their number worth dancing with; she would show Dr. Delaven that other men did not think her only a baby to be teased! "Now, Madame Caron, we can show you a regular plantation jubilee, forthe darkies shall have a dance at the quarters. You'll like that, won't you?" "Anything that expresses the feminine homage to returning heroes, "replied Judithe, with a little bow of affected humility, at whichColonel McVeigh laughed as he returned it. She passed out of the doorwith his sister and he stood looking after her, puzzled, yet with hopein his eyes. His impetuousness in plunging into the very heart of thequestion at once had, at any rate, not angered her, which was a greatpoint gained. He muttered an oath when he realized that but for theCountess Biron's gossip they might never have been separated, for shedid love him then--he knew it. Even today, when she would have runaway from him again, she did not deny _that_! Forty-eight hours inwhich to win her--and his smile as he watched her disappear had acertain grim determination in it. He meant to do it. She had grownwhite when he quoted to her her own never forgotten words. Well, sheshould say them to him again! The hope of it sent the blood leaping tohis heart, and he turned away with a quick sigh. Gertrude, who had only stepped out on the veranda when she left thetable, and stood still by the open glass door, saw the lingering, intense gaze with which he followed the woman she instinctivelydisliked--the woman who was now mistress of Loringwood, and had madethe purchase as carelessly as though it were a new ring to wear on herwhite hand--a new toy to amuse herself with in a new country; thewoman who threw money away on whims, had the manner of a princess, andwho had aroused in Gertrude Loring the first envy or jealousy she hadever been conscious of in her pleasant, well-ordered life. From theannouncement that Loringwood had passed into the stranger's possessionher heart had felt like lead in her bosom. She could not haveexplained why--it was more a presentiment of evil than aught else, andshe thought she knew the reason of it when she saw that look inKenneth McVeigh's eyes--a look she had never seen there before. And the woman who had caused it all was walking the floor of her ownapartment in a fever of impatience. If the man she expected would onlycome--then she would have work to do--definite plans to follow; nowall was so vague, and those soldiers staying over, was it only achance invitation, or was there a hidden purpose in that retainedguard? Her messenger should have arrived within an hour of ColonelMcVeigh, and the hour was gone. As she passed the mirror she caught sight of her anxious face in it, and halted, staring at the reflection critically. "You are turning coward!" she said, between her closed teeth. "Youare afraid to be left to yourself an hour longer--afraid because ofthis man's voice and the touch of his hand. Aren't you proud ofyourself--you! He is the beast whose name you hated for years--the manfor whom that poor runaway was taught the graces and accomplishmentsof white women--in this house you heard Matthew Loring mention theprice of her and the portion to be forfeited to Kenneth McVeighbecause the girl was not to be found. Do you forget that? Do you thinkI shall let you forget it? I shan't. You are to do the work you camehere to do. You are to have no other interest in the people of thishouse. " She continued her nervous walk back and forth across the room. She putaside the grey habit and donned a soft, pretty house-gown of the samecolor. Her hands were trembling. She clasped and unclasped them with adespairing gesture. "It is not love, " she whispered, as though in wild argument againstthe fear of it. "Not love--some curse in the blood--that is what itis. And to think that after three years--three years!--it all comesback like this. Oh, you fool, you fool! Love, " she continued, in moreclear, reasoning tones, speaking aloud slowly as though to impress iton her mind, as a child will repeat a lesson to be learned; "love mustbe based on respect--what respect can you have for this buyer of younggirls?--this ardent-eyed animal who has the good fortune, to beclassed as a gentleman. Love in a woman's heart should be herreligion; what religion could be centered on so vile a creature? Tolook up to such a man, how low a woman would have to sink. " Evilena knocked at the door to show some little gift brought by herbrother from across the ocean, and Judithe turned to her feverishly, glad of some companionship to drive away her dread and suspense untilthe expected messenger arrived--the minutes were as long as hours, now! Colonel McVeigh had scarcely more than greeted Loring when Plutoannounced Captain Masterson and some other gentleman. Evilena saw themcoming from the window and reported there were two soldiers besidesCaptain Masterson, and a man in blue clothes, who aroused hercuriosity mightily. They were out of range before Judithe reached thewindow, but her heart almost stopped beating for an instant; the manshe expected wore a blue yachting suit, and this sudden gathering ofsoldiery at the Terrace? Colonel McVeigh greeted Masterson cordially and turned to the others. Two were men in Confederate uniform, just outside the door, and thethird was a tall man in the uniform of a Federal Captain. His leftwrist was bandaged. He was smiling slightly as McVeigh's glance becameone of doubt for an instant, and then brightened into unmistakablerecognition. "By Jove, this is a surprise!" and he shook hands cordially with thestranger. "Captain Monroe, I am delighted to see you in our home. " "Thank you; I'm glad to get here, " replied Monroe, with a peculiarlook towards Masterson, who regarded the cordial greeting with evidentastonishment, "I had not expected to call on you this morning, but--Captain Masterson insisted. " He smiled as he spoke--a smile of amusement, coolly careless of theamazement of Masterson, and the inquiry in the glance of McVeigh. "Colonel McVeigh, he is a prisoner, " said Masterson, in reply to thatglance, and then, as the prisoner himself maintained an indifferentsilence, he explained further, "We caught sight of him galloping aheadof us through the pines, a few miles back. Realizing that we were nearenough to the coast for the Federals to send in men for specialservice, we challenged him, got no explanation except that he rode forhis own pleasure; so I put him under arrest. " "Well, well! Since luck has sent you into our lines I'm glad it hasdone us a good turn and sent you to our home, " said McVeigh, though hestill looked mystified at the situation. "I've no doubt satisfactoryexplanations can be made, and a parole arranged. " "That's good of you, Colonel, " said the prisoner, appreciatively; "youare a good sort of friend to meet when in trouble--brother Fred usedto think so up at the Point; but in this case it really isn'tnecessary--as I have one parole. " He drew a paper from an inner pocket and passed it to McVeigh, wholooked relieved. "Yes, certainly, this is all right, " and he looked inquiringly atMasterson, "I don't understand--" Neither did that officer, who turned in some chagrin to the prisoner, who glanced from one to the other in evident indifference. "May I ask, " said Masterson, with cold courtesy, "why you did notstate when taken prisoner that you were paroled?" "Certainly, " and the easy nonchalance of the other was almostinsolent; evidently Masterson had not picked up an affinity. "I wascoming your way; had been riding alone for several hours, and feared Ishould be deprived of the pleasure of your society if I allowed you toknow how harmless I was. " He paused for a moment--smiled in a quizzical way at McVeigh, andcontinued: "Then I heard your orderly mention Colonel McVeigh, whoseplace you were bound for, and I did not object in the least to beingbrought to him for judgment. But since you see I am paroled, as wellas crippled, " and he motioned to the arm which he moved carefully, "incapable in any way of doing harm to your cause, I trust that a flagof truce will be recognized by you, " and he extended his hand insmiling unconcern. But to Captain Masterson there was something irritating in the smile, and he only bowed coldly, ignoring the flag of truce, upon whichCaptain Monroe seemed quietly amused as he turned to McVeigh andexplained that he was wounded and taken prisoner a month before overin Tennessee by Morgan's cavalry, who had gathered in Johnson'sbrigade so effectively that General Johnson, his staff, and somewherebetween two and three hundred others had been taken prisoners. He, Monroe, had found a Carolina relative badly wounded among Morgan'sboys, had secured a parole, and brought the young fellow home to die, and when his own wound was in a fair way to take care of itself he hadleft the place--a plantation south of Allendale, and headed for thecoast to connect with the blockading fleet instead of making thejourney north through Richmond. It was a very clear statement, but Masterson listened to itsuspiciously, without appearing to listen at all. McVeigh, who hadknown both Monroe and his family in the North, and was also acquaintedwith the Carolina family mentioned, accepted the Federal's storywithout question, and invited him to remain at the Terrace so long asit suited him to be their guest. "I have only two days at home until I leave for my regiment, " heexplained; "but my mother has enough pleasant people here to make yourvisit interesting, I hope. She will be delighted to welcome you, andsome Beaufort acquaintances of yours are here--the Lorings. " Captain Monroe showed interest in this information, and declared itwould give him pleasure to stop over until McVeigh left for thefront. "Good! and you, Captain Masterson?" Masterson glanced coldly towards Monroe, evidently desirous of aprivate interview with McVeigh. But seeing little chance of it withouta pointed request, he took two packets from a case carefully fastenedin his pocket, and presented them. "I am detailed to convey to you some important papers, and Icongratulate you on your promotion to Brigadier-General, " he said, with a bow. "Brigadier? Well, well; they are giving me a pleasant reception, " andhis face showed his pleasure as he looked at the papers. "Thank you, Captain Masterson. By the way, how much time have you?" "Until tomorrow night; I meant to ride over to the plantation afterdelivering this. " "The ladies won't hear to that when they get sight of you. They aregiving a party tonight and need all the uniforms we can muster; asquad of your men on their way to the forts below have stopped overfor breakfast, and they've even captured them, and you'll be welcomeas the flowers of May. " Masterson glanced at Monroe and hesitated. "Those men are needed atone of the fortifications, " he said guardedly; "they had better takesome other time for a party. With your permission I'll send them on, and remain in their place with one orderly, if convenient. " "Certainly; glad to have you; give your own orders about the men. I donot know that they have accepted the invitation to linger, I only knowthat the ladies wanted them to. " He rang for Pluto, who was given orders concerning rooms for CaptainMonroe, and for Captain Masterson, who left to speak with the menwaiting orders without. He made a gesture towards the packet inMcVeigh's hand and remarked: "I have reason apart from the commissionto think the contents are important. Our regiment is to be merged inyour brigade, and all pressed to the front. Towards what point I couldnot learn at Columbia, but your information will doubtless cover allthat, General. " "Colonel will answer until I find my brigade, " said McVeigh, with asmile. "You stay over until I learn, since we are to go together, andI will look them over soon as possible. " He himself showed Monroe the room he was to occupy, to the chagrin ofPluto, who was hanging about in a fever of curiosity and dread atsight of a Northern soldier--the first he had ever seen, and the rumorthat he was brought there a prisoner suggested calamities to the armythrough which, alone, his own race dared hope for freedom; and tohear the two men chat and laugh over West Point memories was anaggravation to him, listening, as he was, for the news of today, andthe serious questions involved. Only once had there been allusion tothe horrors of war--when McVeigh inquired concerning his formerclassmate, Monroe's brother, Fred, and was told he had been numberedwith the dead at Shiloh. The door was open and Pluto could hear allthat was said--could see the bronzed face of the Northerner, a face heliked instinctively though it was not exactly handsome--an older facethan McVeigh's. He was leaving West Point as the young Southernerentered--a man of thirty years, possibly--five of them, the hard yearsof the frontier range. A smile lit up his face, changing itwonderfully. His manner was neither diffident nor overconfident--therewas a certain admirable poise to it. His cool, irritating attitudetowards the zealous Masterson had been drawn out by the innateantagonism of the two natures, but with McVeigh only the cordial sidewas appealed to, and he responded with frank good will. Pluto watched them leave the room and enter the apartments of Mr. Loring, where Mrs. McVeigh, Miss Gertrude and Delaven were at thattime, and the latter was entertained by seeing one of the Northernwolves welcomed most cordially by the Southern household. Fred Monroehad been Kenneth's alter-ego during the West Point days. Mrs. McVeighhad photographs of them together, which she brought out forinspection, and Kenneth had pleasant memories of the Monroe home wherehe had been a guest for a brief season after graduation; altogether itwas an interesting incident of the war to Delaven, who was the oneoutsider. He was sorry the Marquise was not there to observe. The Marquise was, however, making observations on her own account, but not particularly to her satisfaction. She walked from one windowto another watching the road, and the only comforting view sheobtained was the departure of the squad of soldiers who hadbreakfasted in the arbor. They turned south along the river, and whenthey passed through the Terrace gates she drew a breath of relief atthe sight. They would not meet Pierson, who was to come over the roadto the east, and they would leave on the place only the orderlies ofColonel McVeigh and Captain Masterson, and the colored men whosequarters were almost a half mile in the rear of the Terrace. She wasglad they were at that distance, though she scarcely knew why. Pierson's delay made her fear all sorts of bungling and extrememeasures--men were such fools! Evilena had flitted away again to look up a dress for the party, anddid not return, so she was left alone. She heard considerable walkingabout and talking in the rooms below and on the veranda. No one camealong her corridor, however, so she could ask no questions as to thelatest arrivals. For reasons of her own she had dispensed with apersonal attendant after the departure of Louise; there was no maid tomake inquiries of. An hour passed in this feverish suspense, when she went to the mirrorwith an air of decision, arranged her hair becomingly, added a coralbrooch to the lace at her throat, slipped some glimmering rings on herwhite fingers, and added those little exquisite touches to the toiletwhich certain women would naturally linger over though it be the lasthour on earth. Then she opened the door and descended the stairs, a picture of beautyand serenity--a trifle of extra color in the cheeks, perhaps, but itwould be a captious critic who would object to the added lustre. Captain Monroe certainly did not, as he halted in the library at sightof her, and waited to see if she passed out on the veranda, or-- She looked out on the veranda; no one was there; with an impatientsigh she turned, pushed the partly opened door of the library back, and was inside the room before she perceived him. Involuntarily sheshut the door back of her. "Oh--h!" and she held out her hand with a quick, pretty gesture ofsurprise and pleasure--"well met, Captain Jack!" He took the hand she offered and looked at her with a certainquestioning directness. "I hope so, Madame Caron, " and the gaze was so steady, his grasp sofirm, that she drew her hand away with a little laugh that was atrifle nervous. "Your voice and face reassure me! I dare breathe again!" she said, with a mock sigh of relief; "my first glimpse of your uniform made mefear a descent of the enemy. " "Have you need to fear any special enemy here?" he asked, bluntly. Sheput her hand out with a little gesture of protest as she sank backinto the chair he offered. "Why should you be so curious on a first meeting?" she asked, with aquizzical smile. "But I will tell you, Monsieur, for all that; I am, of course, very much afraid of the Northern armies. I left Orleansrather than live under the Federal government, if you please! I havebought a very handsome estate a few miles from here which, of course, binds my interests more closely to the South, " and she flashed ameaning, mocking glance up at him. "Do not look so serious, my friend, it is all very beautifully arranged; I had my will made as soon as thedeed was signed, of course; no matter what accidents should happen tome, all my Southern properties will be held intact to carry on theplans for which they were purchased. I am already building mymonuments, " and she unfurled a silken fan the color of her corals andsmiled across it at him. Their backs were towards the window. She was seated in the deep chair, while he stood near her, leaning on the back of another one andlooking down in her face. Pluto, who was still hovering around withthe hope of getting speech with a "sure enough Lincum man, " had comenoiselessly to the open window and only halted an instant when he sawthe stranger so pleasantly occupied, and heard the musical voice ofMadame Caron say "My friend. " It was to him the sweetest voice in theworld now, and he would gladly have lingered while she spoke, but therest of the words were very soft and low, and Miss Loring was movingtowards him coming slowly up the steps, looking at him as though theveranda was no place for a nigger to lounge when unemployed--a fact hewas well enough aware of to walk briskly away around the corner of thehouse, when he found her eye on him. She had reached the top of the steps and was thinking the coloredfolks at the Terrace were allowed a great many privileges, when sheheard the low tones of a man's voice. Supposing it was Kenneth andpossibly his mother, she stepped softly towards the window. Before shereached it she perceived her mistake--the man wore a blue uniform, andthough she could not see Madame Caron, she could see the soft folds ofher dress, and the white hand moving the coral fan. Disappointed, and not being desirous of joining the woman whose charmevidently enthralled every one but herself, she stepped quietly backout of range, and passed on along the veranda to the sitting room, where Evilena was deeply engaged over the problem of a dress to bedraped and trimmed for the party. And the two talked on within theclosed doors of the library, the man's voice troubled, earnest; thewoman's, careless and amused. "I shall tell you what I wish, Captain Jack, " she said, tapping thefan slowly on the palm of her hand and looking up at him, "I am mostpleased to see you, but for all that I wish you had not come to thisparticular house, and I wish you would go away. " "Which means, " he said, after a pause, "that you are in some danger?" "Oh, no! if it were that, " and her glance was almost coquettish, "Ishould ask you to remain as my champion. " "Pardon, Madame, " and he shook his head, doubtfully, "but I rememberdays in New Orleans, and I know you better than that. " She only raised her brows and smiled. He watched her for a moment andthen said: "Colonel McVeigh is a friend; I should not like to thinkthat your presence means danger to him. " "What an idea!" and she laughed heartily; "am I grown such a thing ofterror that I dare not enter a door lest danger follow? Who could beoppressed with political schemes in this delightful life of theplantation? It is really Eden-like; that is why I have purchased oneof the places for my own; it is worth seeing. If you remain I shallinvite you over; shall you?" "For some reason you wish I would not; if I only knew what the reasonis!" "A few months ago you did not question my motives, " she said, reprovingly; then in a lower tone, "Your commander has neverquestioned, why should you? Your President has sent me messages ofcommendation for my independent work. One, received before I leftMobile, I should like you to see, " and she rose from the chair. Heput out his hand to stop her. "Not if it has connection with any plot or plan of work against thepeople on this side of the line; remember, I am on parole. " "Oh, I shall respect your scruples, " she said, lightly. "But you needhave no dread of that sort. I would not keep by me anything dangerous;it is not compromising to the Marquise de Caron in any way. " Shehalted at the door and added, "Will you wait?" "Yes, I will wait, " he said; "but I can't approve, and I don't needthe evidence of any one else in order to appreciate your value, " headded, grimly; "but be careful, remember where you are. " "I could not forget it if I tried, Captain Jack, " she declared, with apeculiar smile, of which the meaning escaped him until long after. That ride from Loringwood in the morning, and the nervous expectancyafter, had evidently tended to undermine her own self-confidence andusual power of resource, for when she returned to the room a fewminutes later, and found Gertrude and her uncle there, she halted inabsolute confusion--could not collect her thoughts quickly enough forthe emergency, and glanced inquiringly towards Monroe, as one looks ata stranger, while he, after one look as she entered, continued someremark to Mr. Loring. For an instant Gertrude's eyes grew narrow as she glanced from one tothe other; then she recovered her usual sweet manner, as she turned toJudithe: "Pardon me, I fancied you two had met. Madame Caron, permit me topresent Captain Monroe, one of our recent acquisitions. " Both bowed; neither spoke. Colonel McVeigh entered at that moment. Hehad changed the grey travelling suit in which he arrived, for the greyuniform of his regiment, and Judithe, however critical she tried tobe, could not but acknowledge that he was magnificent; mentally sheadded, "Magnificent animal; but what of the soul, the soul?" There was no lack of soul in his eyes as he looked at her and crossedthe room, as though drawn by an invisible chain, and noted, as a loverever notes, that the dress she wore had in its soft, silvery folds, asuggestion of sentiment for the cause he championed. But when he murmured something of his appreciation, she dropped hereyes to the fan she held, and when she glanced slowly up it was in amanner outlawing the tete-a-tete. "I realize now, Colonel McVeigh, that you are really a part of thearmy, " she remarked in the tone of one who makes the conversationgeneral. "You were a very civilian-looking person this morning. Ihave, like your Southern ladies, acquired a taste for warliketrappings; the uniform is very handsome. " "Thanks; I hope you will find my next one more becoming, since it isto be that of Brigadier-General. " Although Matthew Loring's sight was impaired, his locomotion slow, andhis left hand and arm yet helpless, his sense of hearing was acuteenough to hear the words even across Monroe's conversation, for hissunken eyes lit up as he twisted his head towards the speaker: "What's that, Kenneth? You to command a brigade?" "So they tell me, " assented McVeigh. "The commission just reachedme. " "Good enough! Do you hear that, Gertrude? A Brigadier-General attwenty-five. Well, I don't see what more a man could want. " "I do, " he said, softly, to Judithe, so softly that she felt ratherthan heard the words, to which his eyes bore witness. Then he turnedto reply to Mr. Loring's questions of military movements. "No, I can't give you much special information today, " and he smiledacross at Monroe, when Loring found fault with the governmentofficials who veiled their plans and prospects from the taxpayers--thecapitalists of the South who made the war possible. "But theinstructions received lead me to believe a general movement of muchimportance is about to be made in our department, and my opportunitieswill be all a soldier could wish. " "So you have become a Brigadier-General instead of the Lieutenant weknew only three years ago, " and Judithe's eyes rested on himgraciously for an instant, as Monroe and Gertrude helped Loring out tothe wheeled chair on the lawn. "You travel fast--you Americans! Icongratulate you. " She had arisen and crossed the room to the little writing desk in thecorner. He followed with his eyes her graceful walk and the prettyfluttering movements of her hands as she drew out note paper andbusied herself rather ostentatiously. He smiled as he noticed it; shewas afraid of a tete-a-tete; she was trying to run away, if only tothe farther side of the room. "I shall consider myself a more fit subject for congratulation if youprove more kind to the General than you were to the Lieutenant. " "People usually are, " she returned lightly. "I do not fancy you willhave much of unkindness to combat, except from the enemy. " Evilena entered the room humming an air, and her brother remarkedcarelessly that the first of the enemy to invade their domain was notvery formidable at present, though Captain Jack Monroe had made afighting record for himself in the western campaign. Judithe did notappear particularly interested in the record of the Northern campaign, but Evilena, who had been too much absorbed in the question ofwardrobe to keep informed of the late arrivals, fairly gasped at thename. "Really and truly, is that Yankee here?" she demanded, "right here inthe house? Caroline said it wasn't a Yankee--just some friend ofyours. " "So he is. " "And--a--_Yankee_?" He nodded his head and smiled at her. Judithe had picked up a pen andwas writing. Evilena glanced towards her for assistance in thisastonishing state of affairs, but no one appeared to be shocked butherself. "Well!" she said, at last, resignedly, "since we are to have anyYankee here, I'm glad it's the one Gertrude met at Beaufort. I've beenconjuring up romances about them ever since, and I am curious to seeif he looks like the Jack Monroe in the song. " "Not likely, " said her brother, discouragingly, "he is the leastromantic hero for a song you can imagine; but if you put on yourprettiest dress and promise not to fight all the battles of the warover with him, I'll manage that you sit beside him at dinner and makeromances about him at closer range, if you can find the material. " "To think of _me_ dressing my prettiest for a Yankee! and oh, Ken, Ican't dress so astonishingly pretty, either. I'm really, " and shesighed dejectedly, "down to my last party dress. " "Well, that's better than none. " "None!" she endeavored to freeze him with a look, but his smileforbade it, and she left the room, singing "Just as she stepped on ship board, 'Your name I'd like to know?' And with a smile she answered, 'My name is Jack Monroe. '" "Thanks; glad to find so charming a namesake, " said a deep voice, andshe looked up to see a tall man gazing down at her with a smile sokindly she should never have guessed he was a Yankee but for the blueuniform. "Oh!" she blushed deliciously, and then laughed. There really was nouse trying to be dignified with a stranger after such a meeting asthat. "I never did mean to steal your name, Captain Monroe, " she explained, "for you are Captain Monroe?" "Yes, except when I am Jack, " and then they both smiled. "Oh, I've known Jack was your name, too, for this long time, " shesaid, with a little air of impressing him with her knowledge; "but Icouldn't call you that, except in the song. " "May I express the hope that you sing the song often?" he asked, withan attempt at gravity not entirely successful. "But you don't know who I am, do you?" and when he shook his headsadly she added, "but of course you've heard of me; I'm Evilena. " "Evilena?" "Evilena McVeigh, " she said, with a trifle of emphasis. "Oh, Kenneth's sister?" and he held out his hand. "I'm delighted toknow you. " "Thank you. " She let her hand rest in his an instant, and then drew itaway, with a little gasp. "There! I've done it after all. " "Anything serious?" he inquired. She nodded her head; "I've broken a promise. " "Not past repair, I hope. " "Oh, it's only a joke to you, but it really is serious to me. When theboys I know all started North with the army I promised I'd never shakehands with a Yankee. " "Promised them all?" he asked, and without waiting for a reply, hecontinued: "Now, that's a really extraordinary coincidence; Ientertained the same idea about Johnnie Rebs. " "Really?" and she looked quite relieved at finding a companion ininiquity; "but you did shake hands?" "Yes. " "Are you sorry?" "No; are you?" "N--no. " And when Delaven went to look for Evilena to tell her they were tohave lunch on the lawn (Mrs. McVeigh had installed him as master ofceremonies for the day), he found her in the coziest, shadiest nook onthe veranda, entertaining a sample copy of the enemy, and assuring himthat the grey uniforms would be so much more becoming than the blue. CHAPTER XXIV. Noon. Colonel McVeigh had been at the Terrace already a half day, andno sign had come from Pierson--no message of any sort. Judithe calledPluto and asked if the mail did not leave soon for down the river, andsuggested that when he took it to the office he would ask the man incharge to look carefully lest any letters should have been forgottenfrom the night before. "Yes'm, mail go 'bout two hours now, " and he looked up at the clock. "I go right down ask 'bout any letters done been fo'got. But I don'reckon any mail to go today; folks all too busy to write lettahs. " "No; I--I--I will have a letter to go, " and she turned toward thedesk. "How soon will you start?" "Hour from now, " said Pluto, "that will catch mail all right;" andwith that she must be content. At any other time she would have senthim at once without the excuse of a letter to be mailed. Thoseeasy-going folk who handled the mail might easily have overlooked somemessage--a delay of twenty-four hours would mean nothing in theirsleepy lives. But today she was unmistakably nervous--all the morereason for exceeding care. She had begun the letter when Colonel McVeigh came for her to go tolunch; she endeavored to make an excuse--she was not at all hungry, really, it appeared but an hour since the breakfast; but perceivingthat if she remained he would remain also, she arose, saying she wouldjoin their little festival on the lawn long enough for a cup of tea, she had a letter to get ready for the mail within an hour. She managed to seat herself where she could view the road to thesouth, but not a horseman or footman turned in at the Terrace gate. She felt the eyes of Monroe on her; also the eyes of Gertrude Loring. How much did they know or suspect? She was feverishly gay, thoughpenetrated by the feeling that the suspended sword hung above her. Pierson's non-appearance might mean many things appalling--andLouise! All these chaotic thoughts surging through her, and ever beside herthe voice of Kenneth McVeigh, not the voice alone, but the eyes, attimes appealing, at times dominant, as he met her gaze, and forbadethat she be indifferent. "Why should you starve yourself as well as me?" he asked, softly, whenshe declined the dishes brought to her, and made pretense of drinkingthe cup of tea he offered. "You--starving?" and the slight arching of the dark brows added to thenote of question. "Yes, for a word of hope. " "Really? and what word do you covet?" "The one telling me if the Countess Biron's gossip was the only reasonyou sent me away. " Mrs. McVeigh looked over at the two, well satisfied that Kenneth wasgiving attention to her most distinguished guest. Gertrude Loringlooked across to the couple on the rustic seat and felt, withouthearing, what the tenor of the conversation was. Kenneth McVeigh waswooing a woman who looked at him with slumbrous magnetic eyes andlaughed at him. Gertrude envied her the wooing, but hated her for thelaughter. All her life Kenneth McVeigh had been her ideal, but to thisfinished coquette of France he was only the man of the moment, whocontributed to her love of power, her amusement. For the girl, who washis friend, read clearly the critical, half contemptuous gleams, alternating at times the graciousness of Madame Caron's dark eyes. Sheglanced at Monroe, and guessed that he was no more pleased thanherself at the tete-a-tete there, and that he was quite as watchful. And the cause of it all met Colonel McVeigh's question with a glance, half alluring, half forbidding, as she sipped the tea and put asidethe cup. "How persistent you are, " she murmured. "If you adopt the same methodsin warfare I do not wonder at your rapid promotions. But I shan'tencourage it a moment longer; you have other guests, and I have aletter to write. " She crossed to Mrs. McVeigh, murmured a few words of excuse, exchangeda smile with Evilena, who declared her a deserter from their ranks, and then moved up the steps to the veranda and passed through the openwindow into the library, pausing for a little backward glance ere sheentered; and the people on the lawn who raised their glasses to her, did not guess that she looked over their heads, scanning the road forthe expected messenger. Looking at the clock she seated herself, picked up the pen, and thenhalted, holding her hand out and noting the trembling of it. "Oh, you fool! You _woman_!" she said, through her closed teeth. She commenced one letter, blotted it in her nervous impatience, turnedit aside and commenced another, when Captain Monroe appeared at thewindow with a glass of wine in his hand. "Why this desertion from the ranks?" he asked, jestingly, yet withpurpose back of the jest. She recognized, but ignored it. "That you might be detailed for special duty, perhaps, Captain Jack, "she replied, without looking around. "I have to look up stragglers, " and he crossed to the desk where shesat. "I even brought you a forgotten portion of your lunch. " She looked up at that, saw the glass, and shook her head; "No, no winefor me. " "But it would be almost treasonable to refuse this, " he insisted. "Inthe first place it is native Carolina wine we are asked to take; andin the second, it is a toast our bear of the swamps--Mr. Loring--hasproposed, 'our President. ' I evaded my share by being cup-bearer toyou. " He offered the glass and looked at her, meaningly, "Will youdrink?" "Only when you drink with me, " she said, and smiled at the grim looktouching his face for an instant. "To the President of the Southern Confederacy?" he asked. "No!--to _our_ President!" She took the glass, touched the wine to her lips, and offered theremainder to him, just as Colonel McVeigh entered from the lawn. Heheard Captain Monroe say, "With all my heart!" as he emptied theglass. The scene had such a sentimental tinge that he felt a swiftflash of jealousy, and realized that Monroe was a decidedly attractivefellow in his own cool, masterful way. "Ah! a tryst at mid-day?" he remarked, with assumed lightness. "No; only a parley with the enemy, " she said, and he passed out intothe hall, picking up his hat from the table, where he had tossed itwhen he entered in the morning. Monroe walked up to the window and back again. She heard him stopbeside her, but did not look up. "I have almost decided to take your advice, and remain only one nightinstead of two, " he said, at last. "I can't approve what you are doinghere. I can't help you, and I can't stay by and be witness to theenchantment which, for some reason, you are weaving around McVeigh. " "Enchantment?" "Well, I can't find a better word just now. I can't warn him; so Iwill leave in the morning. " "I really think it would be better, " she said, looking up at himfrankly. "Of all the American men I have met I value your friendshipmost; yes, it is quite true!" as he uttered a slight exclamation. "But there are times when even our good angels hamper us, and just nowI am better, much better, alone. " "If I could help you--" "You could not, " she said hastily. "Even without the barrier of theparole, you could not. But I cannot talk. I am nervous, not myselftoday. You saw how clumsy I was when I brought the letter toshow?--and after all did not get to show it. Well, I have been likethat all day. I have grown fearful of everything--distrustful of everyglance. Did you observe the watchfulness of Miss Loring on the lawn?Still, what does it matter?" She leaned her head on her hands for a few moments. He stood andlooked at her somberly, not speaking. When she turned towards himagain it was to ask in a very different tone if he would touch thebell--it was time for Pluto to start with the mail. When he enteredshe found that a necessary address book had been left in her ownapartments. "You get the mail bag while I go for it, Pluto, " she said aftertossing the papers about in a vain search; "and Captain Monroe, willyou look over this bit of figures for me? It is an expense list for myyacht, I may need it today and have a wretched head for businessdetails of that sort. I am helpless in them. " Then she was gone, and Monroe, with a pencil, noted the amount, corrected a trifling mistake, and suddenly became conscious that thegrave, most attentive, black man, was regarding him in a mannerinviting question. "Well, my man, what is it?" he asked, folding up the paper, andspeaking with so kindly a smile that Pluto stumbled eagerly into theheart of questions long deferred. "Jes' a word, Mahs Captain. Is it true you been took prisoner? Is ittrue the Linkum men are whipped?" "Well, if they are they don't know it; they are still fighting, anyway. " "If--if they win, " and Pluto looked around nervously as he asked thequestion, "will it free us, Mahs Captain? We niggahs can't fine outmuch down heah. Yo' see, sah, fust off they all tell how the Nawthfree us sure if the Nawth won the battles. Then--then word done comehow Mahsa Linkum nevah say so. Tell me true, Mahs Captain, will we befree?" His eagerness was so intense, Monroe hesitated to tell him the facts. He understood, now, why the dark face had been watching him sohungrily ever since his arrival. "The men who make the laws must decide those questions, my man, "he said, at last. 'In time freedom certainly will be arrangedfor--but--" "But Mahsa Linkum ain't done said it yet--that it, Mahsa?" "Yes, that's it. " "Thank yo', sah, " and Monroe heard him take a deep breath, sad astears, when he turned into the hall for the mail bag. A stranger was just coming up the steps, a squarely built, intelligent-eyed man, with a full dark beard; his horse, held by oneof the boys under a shade tree, showed signs of hard riding, and thefact that he was held instead of stabled, showed that the call was tobe brief. The servants were clearing away the lunch things. Mrs. McVeigh hadentered the house. Delaven and Gertrude were walking beside Loring'schair, wheeled by Ben, along the shady places. Evilena was comingtowards them from across the lawn, pouting because of an ineffectualattempt to catch up with Ken, whom she fancied she saw striding alongthe back drive to the quarters, but he had walked too fast, and thehedge had hidden him. She came back disappointed to be asked byDelaven what sort of uniform she was pursuing this time, to which hevery properly received no reply except such as was vouchsafed bysilent, scornful lips and indignant eyes. Masterson, who was walking thoughtfully alone, noted this distributionof the people as the stranger dismounted, inquired of Caroline forMadame Caron, and was received by Pluto at the door. The man wore adark blue suit, plain but for a thin cord of gold on collar andsleeve. He did not recognize it as a uniform, yet instinctivelyassociated it with that other blue uniform whose wearer had caused himan annoyance he would not soon forget. He was there alone now withMadame Caron for whom this stranger was asking. He wondered if ColonelMcVeigh was there also, but concluded not, as he had seen him on thewestern veranda with his hat on. All these thoughts touched him andpassed on as he stood there looking critically at the dusty horse. At the same moment he heard the thud, thud of another horse turning inat the Terrace gates; the rider was leaning forward as though urgingthe animal to its utmost. At sight of Masterson he threw up his handto attract attention, and the others on the lawn stared at this secondtumultuous arrival and the haste Captain Masterson made to hear whathe had to say--evidently news of importance from the coast or theNorth. Loring hoped it meant annihilation of some Yankee stronghold, andEvilena hoped it did not mean that Kenneth must leave before theparty. * * * * * The man whom Pluto showed into the library with the information thatMadame Caron would be down at once, glanced about him quickly, andwith annoyance, when he found there was another man in the room. Butthe instant Monroe's face was seen by him, he uttered an exclamationof pleasure. "By Jove! Captain Jack?" and he turned to him eagerly, after notingthat Pluto had left the door. "I don't think I know you, sir, though you evidently know one of mynames, " and his tone was not particularly cordial as he eyed thestranger. "Don't you remember the night run you made on the yacht _Marquise_, last March?" and the man's tone was low and hurried. "I had no beardthen, which makes a difference. This trip is not quite so important, but has been more annoying. I've been followed, have doubled like ahare for hours, and don't believe I've thrown them off the track afterall. I have a message to deliver; if I can't see Madame alone at onceyou get it to her. " "Can't do it; don't want to see it!" and Monroe's tone was quick anddecided as the man's own. "I am on parole. " "Parole!" and the stranger looked at him skeptically. "Look here, youare evidently working with Madame, and afraid to trust me, but it'sall right. I swear it is! I destroyed the message when I saw I wasfollowed, but I know the contents, and if you will take it--" "You mistake. I have absolutely no knowledge of Madame's affairs atpresent. " "Then you won't take it?" and the man's tones held smothered rage. "So, when put to the test, Captain Jack Monroe is afraid to risk whatthousands are risking for the cause, at the front and in secret--alife!" "It is just as well not to say 'afraid, ' my good fellow, " andMonroe's words were a trifle colder, a shade more deliberate. "Do youknow what a parole means? I excuse your words because of your presentposition, which may be desperate. If you are her friend I will do whatI can to save you; but the contents of the dispatch I refuse tohear. " Judithe entered the door as he spoke, and came forward smilingly. "Certainly; it was not intended that you should. This is the captainof my yacht, and his messages only interest me. " "Madame Caron!" and Monroe's tones were imploring, "Consider where youare. Think of the risks you run!" "Risks?" and she made a little gesture of disdain. She felt so muchstronger now that the suspense was over--now that the message wasreally here. "Risks are fashionable just now, Monsieur, and I alwaysfollow the fashions. " He shook his head hopelessly; words were of no use. He turned away, and remembering that he still held the slip with her account on, hehalted and handed it to the stranger, who was nearest him. "I presume these figures were meant for the master of your yacht, " heremarked, without looking at her, and passed out on the veranda, wherehe halted at sight of Masterson running up the steps, and the dustyrider close behind. Judithe had seated herself at the desk and picked up the pen. But asMonroe stepped out on the veranda she turned impatiently: "The despatch?" and she held out her hand. "I was followed--I read and destroyed it. " "Its contents?" "Too late, Madame, " he remarked, in a less confidential tone, as helaid the slip Monroe had given him on the desk. He had seen Mastersonat the door and with him the other rider! Judithe did not raise her head. She was apparently absorbed in hertask of addressing an envelope. "I will speak with you directly, " she said, carelessly sealing theletter. He bowed and stood waiting, respectfully. Glancing up, she sawCaptain Masterson, who had entered from the veranda, and bestowed onhim a careless, yet gracious smile. Pluto brought the mail bag in fromthe hall, and she dropped the letter in, also a couple of papers shetook from the top of the desk. "There, that is all. Make haste, please, Pluto, " and she glanced atthe clock. "I should not like that letter to miss the mail; it isimportant. " "Yes'm, I gwine right away now, " and he turned to the door, whenMasterson stepped before him, and to his astonishment, took the bagfrom his hand. "You can't take this with you, " he said, in a tone of authority. "Gotell Colonel McVeigh he is needed here on business most important. " Pluto stared at him in stupid wonder, and Judithe arose from herchair. "Go, by all means, Pluto, " she said, quietly, "Captain Masterson'serrand is, no doubt, more important than a lady's could be, " and shemoved towards the door. "I apologize, Madame Caron, for countermanding your orders, " saidMasterson, quickly, "but circumstances make it necessary that noperson and no paper leave this room until this man's identity isdetermined, " and he pointed to the messenger. "Do you know him?" "Certainly I know him; he is in my employ, the sailing master of myyacht. " Pluto came in again and announced, "Mahs Kenneth not in the house;he gone somewhere out to the quarters. " Masterson received the newswith evident annoyance. There was a moment of indecision as he glancedfrom the stranger to Monroe, who had sauntered through the openwindow, and across to Judithe, who gave him one glance which heinterpreted to mean she wished he was somewhere else. But he onlysmiled and--remained. "There is only one thing left for me to do in Colonel McVeigh'sabsence, " said Masterson, addressing the group in general, "and thatis to investigate this affair myself, as every minute's delay may meandanger. Madame Caron, we are forced to believe this man is a spy. "Judithe smiled incredulously, and he watched her keenly as hecontinued: "More, he is associated with a clever French creole calledLouise Trouvelot, who says she is your maid and who is at presentunder surveillance in Savannah, and they both are suspected of beingonly agents for a very accomplished spy, who has been doing dangerouswork in the South for many months. I explain so you will comprehendthat investigation is necessary. This man, " and he pointed to theother stranger, who now stepped inside, "has followed him from thecoast under special orders. " "What a dangerous character you have become!" said Judithe, turning toher messenger with an amused smile. "I feared that beard would makeyou look like a pirate, but I never suspected _this_ of you--and yousay, " she added, turning to Masterson, "that my poor maid is alsounder suspicion? It is ridiculous, abominable! I must see to it atonce. The girl will be frightened horribly among such evidences ofyour Southern chivalry, " and she shrugged her shoulders with a littlegesture of disdain. "And what, pray, do you intend doing with mysailor here?" The man had been staring at Masterson as though astounded at theaccusations. But he did not speak, and the Confederate agent nevertook his eyes off him. "Ask him his name, " he suggested, softly, to Masterson, who took paperand pencil from the desk and handed it to the suspect. "Write yourname there, " he said, and when it was quickly, good naturedly done, the self-appointed judge read it and turned to Judithe. "Madame Caron, will you please tell me this man's name?" and themessenger himself stared when she replied, haughtily: "No, Captain Masterson, I will not!" "Ah, you absolutely refuse, Madame?" "I do; you have accused my employe of being a spy, but your attitudesuggests that it is not he, but myself, whom you suspect. " "Madame, you cannot comprehend the seriousness of the situation, " andMasterson had difficulty in keeping his patience. "Every one he speakswith, everything concerning him is of interest. These are war times, Madame Caron, and the case will not admit of either delays or specialcourtesies. I shall have to ask you for the paper he placed in yourhands as I entered the room. " Judithe picked up the paper without a word and reached it to him, withthe languid air of one bored by the entire affair. He glanced at it and handed it back. As he did so he perceived anunfinished letter on the desk. In a moment his suspicions werearoused; that important letter in the mail bag! "You did not complete the letter you were writing?" "No, " and she lifted it from the desk and held it towards him. "Youperceive! I was so careless as to blot the paper; do you wish toexamine that?" His face flushed at the mockery of her tone and glance. He felt itmore keenly, that the eyes of Monroe were on him. The task before himwas difficult enough without that additional annoyance. "No, Madame, " he replied, stiffly, "but the situation is such that Ifeel justified in asking the contents of the envelope you sealed andgave to the servant. " "But that is a private letter, " she protested, as he took it from themail bag; "it can be of no use to any government or its agents. " "That can best be determined by reading it, Madame. It certainlycannot go out in this mail unless it is examined. " "By you?--oh!" And Judithe put out her hand in protest. "Captain Masterson!" "Sir!" and Masterson turned on Monroe, who had spoken for the firsttime. As he did so Judithe deliberately leaned forward and snatchedthe letter from his hand. "You shall not read it!" she said, decidedly, and just then Evilenaand her brother came along the veranda, and with them Delaven. Judithemoved swiftly to the window before any one else could speak. "Colonel McVeigh, I appeal to you, " and involuntarily she reached out herhand, which he took in his as he entered the room. "This--gentleman--onsome political pretense, insists that I submit to such examinations asspies are subject to. I have been accused in the presence of thesepeople, and in their presence I demand an apology for this attempt toexamine my private, personal letters. " "Captain Masterson!" and the blue steel of McVeigh's eyes flashed inanger and rebuke. But Masterson, strong in his assurance of right, held up his hand. "You don't understand the situation, Colonel. That man is suspected ofbeing the assistant to a most dangerous, unknown spy within our lines. He has been followed from Beaufort by a Confederate secret serviceagent, whom he tried to escape by doubling on the road, takingby-ways, riding fully twenty miles out of his course, to reach thispoint unobserved. " For the first time the suspected man spoke, and it was to Judithe. "That is quite true, Madame. I mean that I rode out of my way. But thereason of it is that I came over the road for the first time; therewere no sign-boards up, and my directions had not been explicit enoughto prevent me losing my way. That is my only excuse for not being hereearlier. I am not landsman enough to make my way through the countryroads and timber. " "You perceive, Colonel McVeigh, the man is in my employ, and has comehere by my orders, " said Judithe, with a certain impatience at thedensity of the accuser. "That should be credential enough, " and McVeigh's tone held a distinctreprimand as he frowned at Masterson's senseless accusation, but thatofficer made a gesture of protest. He was being beaten, but he did notmean to give up without a hard fight. "Colonel, there were special reasons for doubt in the matter. MadameCaron, apparently, does not know even the man's name. I asked him towrite it--here it is, " and he handed McVeigh the paper. "I asked herto name him--she refused!" "Yes; I resented the manner and reason for the question, " assentedJudithe; "but the man has been the master of my yacht for over a year, and his name is Pierson--John T. Pierson. " "Correct, " and McVeigh glanced at the paper on which the name waswritten. "Will you also write the name of Madame Caron's yacht, Mr. Pierson?" and he handed him a book and pencil. "Pardon me, " and hesmiled reassuringly at Judithe, "this is not the request of suspicion, but faith. " He took the book from Pierson and glanced at the open pageand then at her--"the name of your yacht is?--" "_The Marquise_, " she replied, with a little note of surprise in hervoice, as she smiled at Evilena, who had slipped to her side, andunderstood the smile. Evilena and she had made plans for a season ofholidays on that same yacht, as soon as the repairs were made. ColonelMcVeigh tossed the book indignantly on the table. "Thank you, Madame! Captain Masterson, this is the most outrageousthing I ever knew an officer to be guilty of! You have presumed tosuspect a lady in my house--the guest of your superior officer, andyou shall answer to me for it! Mr. Pierson, you are no longer undersuspicion here, sir. And you, " he added, turning to the Confederatesecret agent, "can report at once to your chief that spies are notneeded on the McVeigh plantation. " "Colonel McVeigh, if you had seen what I saw--" "Madame Caron's word would have been sufficient, " interrupted McVeigh, without looking at him. And Judithe held out the letter. "I am quite willing you should see what he saw, " she said, with acurious smile. "He saw me, after the arrival of Mr. Pierson, seal anenvelope leaving him in ignorance of its contents. The seal is yetunbroken--will you read it?" "You do not suppose I require proof of your innocence?" he asked, refusing the letter, and looking at her fondly as he dare in thepresence of the others. "But I owe it to myself to offer the proof now, " she insisted, "andat the same time I shall ask Mr. Pierson to offer himself for personalsearch if Captain Masterson yet retains suspicion of his honesty;" sheglanced towards Pierson, who smiled slightly, and bowed withoutspeaking. Then she turned to Delaven, who had been a surprisedonlooker of the scene. "Dr. Delaven, in the cause of justice, may I ask you to examine thecontents of this letter?" and she tore open the envelope and offeredit. "Anything in the wide world to serve you, Madame la Marquise, " heanswered, with a shade more than usual of deference in his manner, ashe took it. "Are the contents to be considered professionally, thatis, confidentially?" She had taken Evilena by the hand, bowed slightly to the group, andhad moved to the door, when he spoke. Monroe, who had watched everymovement as he stood there in a fever of suspense for her sake, drew abreath of relief as she replied: "Oh, no! Be kind enough to read it aloud, or Captain Masterson mayinclude you in the dangerous intrigues here, " and, smiling still, shepassed out with Evilena to the lawn. But a few seconds elapsed, when a perfect shout of laughter came fromthe library. The special detective did not share in it, for he thrusthis hands into his pockets with a curse, and Masterson turned to himwith a frowning, baffled stare--an absolutely crestfallen manner, ashe listened to the following, read in Delaven's best style: "To Madame Smith, "Mobile, Ala. : "The pink morning gown is perfect, but I am in despair over the night robes! I meant you to use the lace, not the embroidery, on them; pray change them at once, and send at the same time the flounced lawn petticoats if completed. I await reply. "Judithe de Caron. " CHAPTER XXV. "Certainly, I apologize, " and Masterson looked utterly crushed by hismistaken zeal; "apologize to every one concerned, collectively andindividually. " Even McVeigh felt sorry for his humiliation, knowing how thoroughlyhonest he was, how devoted to the cause; and Mrs. McVeigh wasdisconsolate over "loyal, blundering Phil Masterson, " whom, she couldnot hope, would remain for the party after what had occurred, and shefeared Judithe would keep to her room--who could blame her? Such ascene was enough to prostrate any woman. But it did not prostrate Judithe. She sent for Mrs. McVeigh, to tellher there must on no account be further hostilities between ColonelMcVeigh and Captain Masterson. "It was all a mistake, " she insisted. "Captain Masterson no doubt onlydid his duty when presented with the statements of the secret serviceman; that the statements were incorrect was something CaptainMasterson could not, of course, know, and she appreciated the factthat, being a foreigner, she was, in his opinion, possibly, morelikely to be imposed upon by servants who were not so loyal to theSouth as she herself was known to be. " All this she said in kindly excuse, and Mrs. McVeigh thought her themost magnanimous creature alive. Her only anxiety over the entire affair appeared to be concerning hermaid Louise, who, also, was suffering the suspicion attaching toforeigners who were non-residents; it was all very ridiculous, ofcourse, but would necessitate her going personally to Savannah. Shecould not leave so faithful a creature in danger. Mrs. McVeigh prevailed upon her to send word with Mr. Pierson to theauthorities, and remain herself for two days longer--until Kenneth andhis men left for the front, which Judithe consented to do. Masterson, who for the first time in his life found the McVeighslacking in cordiality to him (Evilena, even, disposed to look on himas dead and buried so far as she was concerned), felt his loyal heartgo out to Gertrude, who was the only one of them all who franklyapproved, and who was plainly distressed at the idea of him going atonce to join his company. "Don't go, Phil, " she said, earnestly; "something is wrong here--terriblywrong; I can't accuse anyone in particular--I can't even guess what itreally means, but, Phil, " and she glanced around her cautiously beforeputting the question, "What possible reason could Madame Caron andCaptain Monroe have for pretending they met here as strangers, when itwas not a fact?" Whereupon Gertrude told him of her discovery in that direction. "I can't, of course, mention it to Kenneth or Mrs. McVeigh, now, " shewhispered; "they are so infatuated with her, Kenneth in particular. But I do hope you will put aside your personal feelings; make any andevery sort of apology necessary, but remain right here until you seewhat it all means. You may prove in the end that you were not entirelymistaken today. What do you think of it?" Think! His thoughts were in a whirl. If Madame Caron and CaptainMonroe were secretly friends it altered the whole affair. Monroe, whose conduct on arrest was unusual; who had a parole which might, ormight not, be genuine; who had come there as by accident just in timeto meet Pierson; who had been in the room alone with Pierson beforeMadame Caron came down the stairs--he knew, for he had been in sightwhen she crossed the hall. He had been a fool--right in theory, but wrong as to the individual. He would remain at the Terrace, and he would start on a new trail! Mrs. McVeigh was very glad he would remain; she believed implicitly inhis profound regret, and had dreaded lest the question be recalledbetween the two men after they had gone to the front; but, if Philremained their guest, she hoped the old social relations would becompletely restored, and she warned Evilena to be less outspoken inregard to her own opinions. So, Captain Masterson remained, and remained to such purpose thatduring the brief hour of Mr. Pierson's stay he was watched veryclosely, and the watcher was disappointed that no attempt was made ata private interview with Captain Monroe, who very plainly (Mastersonthought, ostentatiously) showed himself in a rather unsocial mood, walking thoughtfully alone on the lawn, and making no attempt tospeak, even with Madame Caron. Pierson had a brief interview with her, rendered the more brief thathe was conscious of Masterson's orderly lounging outside the window, but plainly within hearing, and the presence of Mrs. McVeigh, who wasall interest and sympathy concerning Louise. When he said: "Don't be at all disturbed over the work to be done, Madame; there is plenty of time in which to complete everything, " theothers present supposed, of course, he referred to the repairs on theyacht; and when he said, in reply to her admonitions, "No fear of melosing the road again, I shall arrive tonight, " they supposed, ofcourse, he referred to his arrival at the coast. Judithe knew better;she knew it meant his return, and more hours of uncertainty for her. Colonel McVeigh helped to keep those hours from dragging by followingup his love-making with a proposal of marriage, which she neitheraccepted or declined, but which gave her additional food for thought. All the day Pluto brooded over that scene in the library. He wasoppressed by the dread of harm to Madame Caron if some one did not atonce acquaint her with the fact that the real spy was Madame's maid, who had fled for fear of recognition by the Lorings. He had beencurious as to what motive had been strong enough to bring her back tothe locality so dangerous to her freedom. He was puzzled no longer--heknew. But, how to tell Madame Caron? How could a nigger tell a white ladythat story of Rhoda and Rhoda's mother? And if part was told, all mustbe told. He thought of telling Dr. Delaven, who already knew thehistory of Margeret, but Dr. Delaven was a friend to the Lorings, andhow was a nigger to know what a white man's honor would exact that hedo in such a case? And Pluto was afraid to ask it. Instinctively his trust turned to the blue uniformed "Linkum soldier. "No danger of him telling the story of the runaway slave to the wrongperson. And he was Madame Caron's friend. Pluto had noted how hestepped beside her when Masterson brought his accusation against her, or her agent, Pierson. Monroe had been a sort of divinity to him fromthe moment the officer in blue had walked up the steps of the Terrace, and Pluto's admiration culminated in the decision that he was the oneman to warn Madame Caron of her maid's identity without betraying itto any other. The lady who caused all this suppressed anxiety was, apparently, care-free herself, or only disturbed slightly over the reportconcerning Louise. She knew the girl was in no real danger, but sheknew, also, that at any hint of suspicion Louise would be in terroruntil joined by her mistress. She heard Matthew Loring had sent over for Judge Clarkson to arrangesome business affairs while Kenneth was home, and despite Mrs. McVeigh's statement that they neither bought nor sold slaves, shefancied she knew what one of the affairs must be. Judge Clarkson, however, was not at home--had been called across thecountry somewhere on business, but Aunt Sajane sent word that theywould certainly be over in the evening and would come early, if Gideonreturned in time. But he did not. Several of the guests arrived before them; ColonelMcVeigh was employed as host, and the business talk had to be deferreduntil the following morning. Altogether, the sun went down on a day heavy with threats andpromises. But whatever the rest experienced in that atmosphere ofsuppressed feeling, Kenneth McVeigh was only responsive to thepromises; all the world was colored by his hopes! And Monroe, who saw clearly what the hopes were, and who thought hesaw clearly what the finale would be, had little heart for thefestivities afoot--wished himself anywhere else but on the hospitableplantation of the McVeighs, and kept at a distance from the charmingstranger who had bewitched the master of it. Twilight had fallen before Pluto found the coveted opportunity ofspeaking with him alone. Monroe was striding along the rose arbor, smoking an after-supper cigar, when he was suddenly confronted by thenegro who had questioned him about the Federal policy as to slavery. He had been running along the hedge in a stooping position so as notto be seen from the windows of the dining room, where the otherservants were working, and when he gained the shadows of an oleandertree, straightened up and waited. "Well, " remarked Monroe, as he witnessed this maneuver, "what is it?" Pluto looked at him steadily for an instant, and then asked, cautiously: "Mahs Captain, you a sure enough friend of Madame Caron?" "'Sure enough' friend--what do you mean?" "I mean Madame Caron gwine to have trouble if some sure enough frienddon't step in an' tell her true who the spy is they all talk 'bouttoday. " "Indeed?" said Monroe, guardedly; his first thought was one ofsuspicion, lest it be some trick planned by Masterson. "Yes, sah; I find out who that woman spy is, but ain't no one elseknows! I can't tell a white lady all that story what ain't nowaysfitten' fo' ladies to listen to, but--but somebody got to tell her, somebody that knows jest how much needs tellen', an' how much to keepquiet--somebody she trusts, an' somebody what ain't no special friendo' the Lorings. Fo' God's sake, Mahsa Captain, won't yo' be thatman?" Monroe eyed him narrowly for an instant, and then tossed away thecigar. "No fooling about this business, mind you, " he said, briefly; "whathas Madame Caron to do with any spy? And what has Matthew Loring?" "Madame not know she got _anything_ to do with her, " insisted Pluto, eagerly, "that gal come heah fo' maid to Madame Caron, an' then oleNelse (what Lorings use to own) he saw her, an' that scare her plumoff the place. An' the reason why Mahsa Loring is in it is 'cause thatfine French maid is a runaway slave o' his--or maybe she b'long toMiss Gertrude, _I_ don' know rightly which it is. Any how, she'sMargeret's chile an' ought to a knowed more'n to come a 'nigh toLoring even if she is growd up. That why I know fo' suah she come backfo' some special spy work--what else that gal run herself in dangerfo' nothen'?" "You'd better begin at the beginning of this story, if it has one, "suggested Monroe, who could see the man was intensely in earnest, "andI should like to know why you are mixing Madame Caron in the affair. " "She bought my baby fo' me--saved him from the trader, Mahsa Captain, "and Pluto's voice trembled as he spoke. "Yo' reckon I evah fo'get thatar? An' now seems like as how she's got mixed up with troubles, an' Icome to yo' fo' help 'cause yo' a Linkum man, an' 'cause yo' herfrien'. " It was twenty minutes later before Pluto completed his eager, hurriedstory, and at its finish Monroe knew all old Nelse had told Delaven, and more, too, for confidential servants learn many hidden things, andRosa--afterwards Pluto's wife--knew why Margeret's child was sent tothe Larue estate for training. Mistress Larue, whose conscience was ofthe eminently conventional order, seldom permitting her to contest anydecision of her husband, yet did find courage to complain somewhat ofthe child's charge and her ultimate destination--to complain, not onmoral, but on financial grounds--fully convinced that so wealthy aman as Matthew Loring could afford to pay more for her keeping thanthe sum her husband had agreed to, and that the youth, KennethMcVeigh, to whose estate the girl was partly sold, could certainlyafford more of recompense than his guardian had agreed to. Pluto told that portion of the story implicating his master withconsiderable reluctance, yet felt forced to tell it all, that Monroeshould be impressed with the necessity of absolute secrecy to everyone except Madame Caron, and she, of course, must not hear that partof it. "Name o' God, no!" burst out Pluto, in terror of what such arevelation would mean. "What yo' reckon Madame Caron think o' we allef she done heah _that_? Don't reckon his own ma evah heard tell awhisper o' that ar; all Mahs Matt Loring's doin's, that salewas--_must_ a been! Mahs Ken wan't only a boy then--not more'nfifteen, so yo' see--" Monroe made no comment, though he also had a vision of what it wouldmean if Madame Caron--she of all women!--should hear this evidentlytrue story just as Pluto related it. He walked along the rose hedge and back again in silence, the coloredman regarding him anxiously; finally he said: "All right, my man. I'll speak to Madame and be careful not to tellher too much. You are all right, Pluto; you did right to come to me. " Some one called Pluto from the window. He was about to go when Monroeasked: "What about that picture you said your wife had of the girl? MadameCaron may not be easy to convince. You'd better let me have it to showher. Is it a good likeness?" "'Fore God I don' know! I only reckon it is, 'cause Nelse took her, on sight, fo' Margeret's ghost, which shows it must be the plain imageof her! I done been so upset since I got back home with Zekal I nevahhad a minute to look ovah Rosa's b'longens', but the likeness is inthat bundle somewhere; Rosa alles powerful careful o' that locketthing, an' kep' it put away; don't mind as I evah seen it but once, jest when we fust married. I'd a clean fo'got all 'bout it, only fo'an accident--an' that's the woman now it was painted from. " He pointed to a window where Margeret stood outlined for an instantagainst the bright background. "Don't look more like her now, I reckon, " he continued, "all hertrouble must a' changed her mightily, fo' the ole folks do say she wascounted a beauty once. Little Rhoda went a'most crazy when some onestole the locket, so Rosa said; then by and by the gal what took itgot scared--thought it was a hoodoo--an' fetched it back, but Rhodagone away then. My Rosa took it an' kep' it faithful, waiten' fo' thatchile to come back, but she nevah come back while Rosa lived. " Monroe was staring still at the figure of Margeret, seen dimly, now, through the window. "Look here!" he said, sharply, "if the old man recognized thelikeness, how comes it that the mother herself did not see it?" "Why, Margeret she not get here till nex' day after Madame Caron'smaid start down the river to take the cars fo' Savannah, " explainedPluto. "Then Miss Gertrude come a visiten' an' fetch Margeret along. Yo' see, sah, that woman done been made think her chile dead a longtime ago, an' when Margeret went clean 'stracted the word went down toLarues that she dead or dyen'--one! any way my Rosa nevah know'd nodifferent till Larues moved back from Georgy, so there wan't no oneheah to 'dentify her, an' there wan't no one heah to let that gal knowshe _had_ a liven mammy. " Again Caroline called Pluto. "Go on, " said Monroe, "but get me the picture soon as you can. I leavein the morning. " "I be right heah with it in hour's time, " promised Pluto; "don' reckonI can slip away any sooner, a sight o' quality folks a' comen'. " CHAPTER XXVI. As Monroe entered the hall Judithe came down the stairs, a daintyvision in palest rose. She wore armlets and girdle of silver filagree, a silver comb in the dark tresses, and large filagree loops in herears gave the beautiful face a half-oriental character. Admire her though he must, he felt an impatience with her, a wonderthat so beautiful a being, one so blest with all the material thingsof life, should forsake harmony, home, and her own land, for the rudecontests where men fought, and plotted, and died--died ingloriouslysometimes, for the plots and intrigues through which she claimed tofind the only escape from ennui. She saw him, hesitated an instant, and then came towards him, with asuggestion of daring in her eyes. "I might as well hear the worst, first as last, " she said, taking hisarm. "Is not the veranda more cool than in here? Come, we shall see. Iprefer to be out of hearing of the people while you lecture me fortoday's mishap. " She glanced up at him with a pretense of dread such as a child mightshow; she was pleased to be alluringly gracious, but he could feelthat she was more nervous than she had ever shown herself before--thestrain was telling on her. Her beautiful eyes were not so slumbrous asusual; they were brilliant as from some inward fever, and, though shesmiled and met his sombre gaze with a challenge, she smothered a sighunder her light words. "I shan't lecture you, Madame Caron; I have no right to interfere withwhat you call your--amusements, " and he glanced down at her, grimly;"but I leave in the morning because by remaining longer I might gainknowledge which, in honor, I should feel bound to report. " "To Colonel--or, shall we say, General--McVeigh?" He bent his head, and answered: "I have given you warning. He is myfriend. " "And I?" she asked, glancing at him with a certain archness. He lookeddown at her, but did not speak. "And I?" she repeated. "No, " he said, after a pause. "You, Madame, would have to be somethingmore, or something less. The fates have decreed that it be less--so, "he made a little gesture dismissing the subject. "Pardon me, but I didnot mean to attack you in that fashion. I came to look for you to askyou a question relating to the very pretty, very clever, maid you hadin New Orleans, and whom, I hear, you brought with you on your visithere. " "Oh! You are curious as to her--and you wish me to answer questions?" "If you please, though it really does not matter to me. Are you awarethat the woman was a runaway slave, and liable to recapture in thisparticular vicinity?" "In this particular vicinity?" she repeated, questioningly. "Yes, if Matthew Loring should once get suspicion of the fact thatyour maid was really his girl Rosa--no, Rhoda--it would be an awkwardfact allied to the episode here today, " and he made a gesture towardsthe library window they were just passing. "Come, we will go down the steps, " she suggested. They did so, andwere promenading under the trees, lantern lit, on the lawn, whenColonel McVeigh came out on the veranda and felt a momentary envy ofMonroe, who was free from a host's duties. They were clear of thesteps and of probable listeners before Judithe asked: "Where did you get this information?" "From a slave who wanted you warned that you without knowing it, areprobably harboring the spy whom Captain Masterson spoke of today. " "Ah, a slave?" she remarked, thoughtfully; and the curious, intensegaze of Margeret was recalled to her, only to be followed by thememory of Pluto's anxiety that Louise should leave before the arrivalof the Lorings; it was, then, without doubt, Pluto who gave thewarning; but she remembered Zekal, and felt she had little to beanxious over. "You probably are not aware, " he continued, "what a very seriousaffair it is considered here to assist in hiding a slave of that sortunder assumed names or occupations. But if it is discovered it wouldprove ruinous to you just now. " "In three days I shall be out of the country, " she answered, briefly. "I go down to Savannah, secure Louise from this blunder--for thereis really nothing to be proven against her as a spy--and then, farewell, or ill, to Carolina. I do not expect to enter it again. Myarrangements are all made. Nothing has been forgotten. As to mygood Louise, your informer has not been made acquainted with all thefacts. It is true she was a Georgian slave, but is so no longer. For over a year she has been in possession of the papers establishingher freedom. Her own money, and a clever lawyer, arranged all thatwithout any trouble whatever. What Monsieur Loring would do if he knewI had a maid whose name was assumed, I neither know nor care. Hecould not identify her as the girl Rhoda Larue, even if he saw her. His sight has failed until he could not distinguish you fromColonel McVeigh if across the room. I learned that fact throughMadame McVeigh before leaving Mobile, so, you perceive, I have notrisked so much in making the journey with my pretty maid; and I shallrisk no more when I make my adieus the day after tomorrow. " She laughed, and looked up in his face. He looked down in her's, buthe did not laugh. "And the estate you have just purchased in order to enjoy thisEden-like plantation life?" "The purpose for which it was purchased will be carried out quite aswell without my presence, " she said, quietly. "I never meant to livethere. " "Well, that beats me!" he said, halting, and looking squarely down ather. "You spend thousands to establish yourself in the heart of aseceding country, and gain the confidence of the natives, and thentoss it all aside as though it were only a trifle! You must have spentfortunes from your own pocket to help the Federals!" "So your President was good enough to say in the letter I tried toshow you--and did not, " she replied, and then smiled, as she added, "but you are mistaken, Captain Monroe; it was only one fortune spent, and I will be recompensed. " "When?" "When that long-talked-of emancipation is announced. " The bright music of a mazurka stole out of the open windows, andacross the level could be seen a blaze of fat pine torches tiedto poles and shedding lustre and black pitch over the negroquarters--they also were celebrating "Mahs Ken's" return. Abovethe dreamy system of the parlor dances they could hear at timesthe exuberant calls and shouts of laughter where the dark peoplemade merry. Judge Clarkson, who was descending the steps, haltedto listen, and drew Monroe's attention to it. "Happy as children they are, over there tonight, " he remarked. "Mostcontented people on earth, I do believe. " He addressed some gallantwords to Judithe, and then turned to Monroe. "Mr. Loring has been inquiring for you, Captain Monroe. Youunderstand, of course, that you are somewhat of a lion and one wecannot afford to have hidden. He is waiting to introduce you to someof our Carolina friends, who appreciate you, sir, for the protectionshown a daughter of the South, and from your magnanimous care of aCarolina boy this past month--oh, your fame has preceded you, and Iassure you, sir, you have earned for yourself a hearty welcome. " Evilena joined them, followed by Delaven, who asked for a dance andwas flouted because he did not wear a uniform. She did present himwith a scarlet flower from her boquet, with the remark that if deckedwith something bright he might be a little less suggestive offunerals, and, attaching herself to Monroe, she left to look upMatthew Loring. Delaven looked ruefully at the scarlet flower. "It's a poor substitute for herself, " he decided, "but, tell me now, Marquise, if you were fathoms deep in love, as I am this minute, andhad so much of encouragement as a flower flung at you, what would youadvise as the next move in Cupid's game?" She assumed a droll air of serious contemplation for an instant, andthen replied, in one word: "Propose. " "I'll do it, " he decided; "ah, you are a jewel of a woman to give aman courage! I'll lay siege to her before I'm an hour older. Judge, isn't it you would lend a boy a hand in a love affair? I'm bewitchedby one of the fair daughters of the South you are so proud of; I findI am madly jealous of every other lad who leads her onto the dancingfloor this night, but every one of them has dollars where I havedimes, " and he sighed like a furnace and glanced from one to the otherwith a comical look of distress; "so is it any wonder I need all thebracing up my friends can give me?" "My dear sir, " said the Judge, genially, "our girls are not mercenary. You are a gentleman, so need fear comparison with none! You have anactive brain, a high degree of intelligence, a profession throughwhich you may win both wealth and honors for the lady in question--sowhy procrastinate?" "Judge, you are a trump! With you to back me up with that list ofadvantages, I'll dare the fates. " "I am your obedient servant, sir. I like your enthusiasm--yourdetermination to put the question to the test. I approve of earlymarriages, myself; procrastination and long engagements are a mistake, sir--a mistake!" "They are, " agreed Delaven, with a decision suggestive of longexperience in such matters. "Faith, you two are life preservers to me. I feel light as a cork with one of you on each side--though it wasdoleful enough I was ten minutes ago! You see, Judge, the lady who isto decide my fate has valued your friendship and advice so long that Icount on you--I really do, now, and if you'd just say a good word toher--" "A word! My dear sir, my entire vocabulary is at your service in anaffair of the heart. " The Judge beamed on Delaven and bowed to MadameCaron as though including her in the circle where Love's sceptre isever potent. "Faith, when America becomes a monarchy, I'll vote for you to beking, " and Delaven grasped the hand of the Judge and shook itheartily; "and if you can only convince Mrs. McVeigh that I am allyour fancy has pictured me, I'll be the happiest man in Carolinatonight. " "What!" Judge Clarkson dropped his hand as though it had burned him, and fairly glared at the self-confessed lover. "I would that!--the happiest man in Carolina, barring none, " said thereckless Irishman, so alive with his own hopes that he failed toperceive the consternation in the face of the Judge; but Judithe sawit, and, divining the cause, laughed softly, while Delaven continued:"You see, Judge, Mrs. McVeigh will listen to you and--" "Young man!" began Clarkson, austerely, but at that moment the lady inquestion appeared on the veranda and waved her fan to Delaven. "Doctor, as a dancing man your presence in the house would be mostwelcome, " she said, coming slowly down the steps towards them. "Madame, both my feet and my heart are at your disposal, " he said, hastening to meet her, and passing on to find some unpartnered damselsshe suggested. "What a charming young man he is, " remarked their hostess, "andexceedingly skillful in his profession for so young a physician. Don'tyou consider him very bright, Judge?" "I, Madame--I?" and Judithe retired, convulsed at the situation; "onmy word, I wouldn't trust him to doctor a sick cat!" Mrs. McVeighlooked astonished at the intensity of his words and was fairly puzzledto see Judithe laughing on the seat under the tree. "Why, Judge! I'm actually surprised! He is most highly esteemedprofessionally, and in Paris--" "Pardon me, but I presume his hair was the same color in Paris that itis here, " said the Judge, coldly, "and I have never in my life known ared-headed man who had any sense, or--" "Oh!" Mrs. McVeigh glanced slowly from the Judge to Judithe and thensmiled; "I remember one exception, Judge, for before your hair becamewhite it was--well, auburn, at least. " The Judge ran his fingers through the bushy curls referred to. The manusually so eloquent and ready of speech, was checkmated. He could onlystammer something about exceptions to rules, and finally said: "You will probably remember, however, that my hair was very dark--adark red, in fact, a--a--brown red. " Judithe, to hide her amusement, had moved around to the other side ofthe tree circled by the rustic seat. Her hostess turned one appealingglance towards her, unseen by the Judge, who had forgotten all but theone woman before him. "No matter if he had hair all colors of the rainbow he is not worthyof you, Madame, " he blurted out, and Mrs. McVeigh took a step awayfrom him in dismay; in all her knowledge of Judge Clarkson, she hadnever seen him show quite so intense a dislike for any one. "Why, Judge! What is the matter tonight?" she asked, in despair. "Youmean Dr. Delaven; not worthy of me?" "He aspires to your hand, " blurted out the Judge, angrily. "Such anambition is a worthy one; it is one I myself have cherished for years, but you must confess I had the courage to ask your hand in person. " "Yes, Judge; but--" "This fellow, on the contrary, has had the affrontery to come tome--to me! with the request that I use my influence in negotiating amatrimonial alliance with you!" Mrs. McVeigh stared at him a moment, and then frankly laughed; shesuspected it was some joke planned by Evilena. But the indignation ofthe Judge was no joke. "Well, Judge, when I contemplate a matrimonial alliance, I can assureyou that no one's influence would have quite so much weight as yourown;" she had ascended the steps and was laughing; at the top sheleaned over and added, "no matter who you employ your eloquence for, Judge;" and with that parting shot she disappeared into the hall, leaving him in puzzled doubt as to her meaning. But the question didnot require much consideration. The remembrance of the smile helpedclear it up wonderfully. He clasped his hands under his coat tails, threw back his shoulders, walked the length of the veranda and backwith head very erect. He was a very fine figure of a man. "The Irishman's case is quashed, " he said, nodding emphatically andconfidentially to the oleander bush; "the fact that a woman, and thatwoman a widow, remembers the color of the plaintiff's hair for twentyyears, should convince the said plaintiff if he is a man possessed ofa legal mind, that his case is still on the calendar. I'll go and askfor the next dance. " He had scarcely reached the steps when Judithe saw a flutter of whitewhere the shadows were heaviest under the dense green shrubbery. She glanced about her; no one was in hearing. The veranda, forthe instant, was deserted, and past the windows the dancers weremoving. The music of stringed instruments and of laughter floated outto her. She saw Masterson in the hallway; he was watching Monroe. Shesaw Kenneth McVeigh speaking to his mother and glancing aroundinquiringly; was he looking for her? She realized that her momentsalone now would be brief, and she moved swiftly under the trees towhere the signal had been made. A man had been lying there flat to theground. He arose as she approached, and she saw he was dressed inConfederate uniform, and that he wore no beard--it was Pierson. "Why did you leave the place without seeing me again?" she demanded. "This suspense seems to me entirely unnecessary. " "It was the best I could do, Madame, " he answered, hurriedly. "Masterson, unknown to the McVeighs, had spies within hearing of everyword between us, and to write was too great a risk. His man followedme beyond the second fortification. " "And you eluded him?" "No; I left him, " answered Pierson, grimly. "I wore his uniformback--he did not need it. " Judithe drew a deep, shuddering breath, but made no comment. "Give methe contents of the destroyed despatch, " was all she said. "McVeigh received official notification of promotion today. Importantinstructions were included as to the movements of his brigade. Theseinstructions must be received by us tonight in order to learn theirplans for this wing of the army. " "And you depend on me?" "No other way to secure them quickly, but some of our men have beenlanded north of Beaufort. They are under cover in the swamp and canebrakes awaiting your commands--so if it can't be done quietly there isanother way--a raid for any purpose you may suggest, and incidentallythese instructions would be among the souvenirs from this especialplantation. " "Colonel McVeigh only remains over tomorrow night. Suppose I succeed, how shall I communicate with you or with the detachment of Federals?" "I will return tonight after the house is quiet. I shall be in sightof the balcony. You could drop them from there; or, if you have anybetter plan of your own I will act on it. " She could see Kenneth on the veranda, and knew he was looking for her. The moments were precious now; she had to think quick. "It may not be possible to secure them tonight; the time is so short;and if not I can only suggest that the commander of the landed troopssend a detachment tomorrow, capture Colonel McVeigh and CaptainMasterson, and get the papers at the same time. There are alsoofficial documents in McVeigh's possession relating to the Englishcommissions for additions to the Confederate Navy. I must go; they arelooking for me. You can trust a black man here called Pluto--but donot forget that a detachment of Confederates came today to thefortifications below here, don't let our men clash with them; goodbye; make no mistake. " She moved away as she spoke, and the man dropped back unseen into theshadows as she went smilingly forward to meet the lover, whosedownfall she was debating with such cool judgment. And the lover came to meet her with ardent blue eyes aglow. "Have you fled to the shadows to avoid us all?" he demanded, and thenas he slipped her hand through his arm and looked down in her face, heasked, more tenderly, "or may I think you only left the crowd to thinkover my audacity. " She gave him one fleeting, upward glance, half inviting, halfreproving--it would help concentrate his attention until the man inthe shadows was beyond all danger of discovery. "You make use of every pretext to avoid me, " he continued, "but itwon't serve you; no matter what cool things you say now, I can onlyhear through your words the meaning of those Fontainbleau days, andthat one day in Paris when you loved me and dared to say it. Judithe, give me my answer. I thought I could wait until tomorrow, but I can't;you must tell me tonight; you must!" "Must?" She drew away from him and leaned against a tall garden vaseoverrun with clustering vines. They were in the full blaze of lightfrom the windows; she felt safer there where they were likely to beinterrupted every minute; the man surely dared not be wildlysentimental in full view of the crowd--which conclusion showed thatshe was not yet fully aware of what Kenneth McVeigh would dare dowhere a woman--or the woman was in question. "An hour ago you said: 'Will you?' Now it is: 'You must!'" she said, with a fine little smile. "How quick you are to assume the tone ofmaster, Monsieur. " "If you said slave, the picture would have been more complete, " heanswered. "I will obey you in all things except when you tell me toleave you;" he had possessed himself of her hand, under cover of thevines; "it's no use, Judithe, you belong to me. I can't let you gofrom me again; I won't!" All of pleading was in his voice and eyes. Moved by some suddenimpulse not entirely guileless, she looked full at him and let herhand remain in his. "Well, since you really cannot, " she murmured. "Judithe! You mean it?" and in an instant both his hands were claspinghers. "You are not coquetting with me this time? Judithe!" She attempted to draw her hand away, but he bent his head, and kissedthe warm palm. Margeret who was lighting an extinguished lantern, sawthe caress and heard the low, deep tones. She turned and retraced hersteps instead of passing them. "Do you realize that all who run may read the subject of yourdiscourse?" she asked, raising her brows and glancing after theretreating woman. "Let them, the sooner they hear it the better I shall be pleased;come, let us tell my mother; I want to be sure of you this time, mybeautiful Judithe. What time more fitting than this for theannouncement--come!" "What is it you would tell her?" she asked, looking straight ahead ofher into the shadows on the lawn. Her voice sounded less musical thanit had a moment before. Her eyes avoided his, and for one unguardedinstant the full sculpturesque lips were tense and rigid. "What is it?" he repeated, "why, that I adore you! that you have beenthe one woman in the world to me ever since I met you first; that Iwant you for my wife, and that you--confess it again in words, Judithe--that you love me. " She shook her head slowly, but accompanied that half denial with abewildering smile. "Entirely too much to announce in one evening, " she decided; "do youforget they have had other plans for you? We must give your familymore time to grow accustomed to me and to--your wishes. " "_Our_ wishes, " he said, correctively, and she dropped her eyes andbent her head in assent. She was adorable in the final surrender. Hemurmured endearing, caressing words to her, and the warm color mergedacross her face, and receding, left her a trifle pale. All herindifference had been a pretense--he knew it now, and it strengthenedhis protests against delay. He drew her away from the steps as thedance ended, and the people came chattering and laughing out from thebrilliantly lit rooms. "You talk of haste, but forget that I have waited three years, Judithe; remember that, won't you? Put that three years to my credit;consider that I wooed you every day of every year, and I would if Ihad been given the chance! You talk of time as if there were oceans ofit for us, and you forget that I have but one more day to be withyou--one day; and then separation, uncertainty. I can't leave you likethat, now that I know you care for me--I won't. " "Oh--h!" and she met his look with a little quizzical smile. "You meanto resign your commission for the sake of my society? But I am notsure I should admire you so much then. I am barbarian enough to like afighter. " "I should fight all the better for knowing it was a wife I was leavingbehind instead of a sweetheart, Judithe; marry me tomorrow!" She made a little gesture of protest, but he clasped her hand in hisand held it close to prevent her from repeating it. "Why not?" hecontinued. "No one need know unless you wish; it can be kept secret asthe engagement would be. Then, wherever the fortunes of war may sendme, I can carry with me the certainty of your love. Speak to me, Judithe! Say yes. I have waited three years; I want my wife!" "Your wife! _Your_--oh!"--and she flung out her hands as thoughputting the thought away from her. A tear fell on his hand--she wasweeping. "Judithe, sweetheart!" he murmured, remorsefully. "Tomorrow--not tonight, " she half whispered. "I must think, so much isto be considered. " "No! Only one thing is to be considered;" he held her hands and lookedin her face, with eyes ardent, compelling; "Only one thing, Judithe, and that is, do you love me--now?" "Now, and from the first day we ever met, " she answered, looking up athim; her eyes were like stars glimmering through the mist of latetears. There came to them both the remembrance of that other avowal, behind those plunging horses in the Paris boulevard. They hadunconsciously repeated the words uttered then. For an instant his arms were about her--such strong, masterful, compelling arms. A wild temptation came to her to remain in thatshelter--to let all the world go by with its creeds, its plots, itswars of right and wrong--to live for love, love only, love with him. "My queen!" he whispered, as her head bent in half avoidance of hiscaresses even while her hand clasped his closely, convulsively, "ithas all been of no use; those three years when you kept me away. It isfate that we find each other again. I shall never let you go fromme--never! Do you hear me, Judithe? You are so silent; but wordsmatter little since you belong to me. Do you realize it?--that youmust belong to me always!" The words over which he lingered, words holding all of hope andhappiness to him brought to her a swift revulsion of feeling. Sheremembered those other human creatures who belonged to him--sheremembered-- A moment later and he stood alone in the sweet dusk of the night. Shehad fairly run from him along the little arbor to the side door, whereshe vanished unseen by the others. How she was for all her queenlyways! What a creature of moods, and passions, and emotions! The handon which her tear had fallen he touched to his cheek. Why had she weptat his confession of love for her? She had not wept when the samewords were spoken on that never-to-be-forgotten day in Paris! CHAPTER XXVII. The love affair of Colonel McVeigh was not the only one underconsideration that evening. Delaven was following up the advice of theJudge and Madame Caron to the extent of announcing to MistressMcVeigh during a pause in the dance that his heart was heavy, thoughhis feet were light, and that she held his fate in her hands, for hewas madly in love, which statement she had time to consider anddigest before the quadrille again allowed them to come close enoughfor conversation, when she asked the meaning of his mystery. "First, let me know, Mrs. McVeigh, which you would prefer if you had achoice--to have me for your family physician, or a physician in yourfamily?" She smiled at the excentric question, but as the dance whisked him offjust then she waited for the next installment of his confidence. "You must tell me, first, what relationship you seek to establish, "she demanded, as he came up for his answer. He looked at her quizzically, and seeing a slight gleam of humor inher fine eyes, he launched into the heart of the question. "What relationship? Well, I should say that of husband and wife, if Iwas not afraid of being premature;" he glanced at her and saw that shewas interested and not in the least forbidding. "To be sure, I ampoor, while you are wealthy, but I'm willing to overlook that; infact, I'm willing to overlook anything, and dare all things if youwould only consider me favorably--as a son-in-law. " "You are actually serious?" "Serious, am I--on my faith, it's a life and death affair with me thisminute!" "And my little Evilena the cause?" "Yes, our Evilena, who does not feel so small as you may imagine. Lookat her now. Could a dozen seasons give her more confidence in her ownpowers than she has this minute by reason of those uniformedadmirers?--to say nothing of my own case. " "_Our_ Evilena?" and Mrs. McVeigh raised her brows inquiringly--"thenyou have proposed?" "Indeed, no! I have not had the courage until tonight; but when I seea lot of lads daft as myself over her, I just whispered in the ear ofDelaven that he'd better speak quick. But I would not propose withoutasking your permission. " "And if I refused it?" "You could not be so hard-hearted as that?" "But suppose I could--and should?" He caught the gleam of teasing light in her eyes, and smiled back ather: "I should propose just the same!" "Well, " said Evilena's mother, with a combination of amusement andsympathy in her expression, "you may speak to her and let me know theresult. " "I'd get down on my knees to kiss the toe of your slipper, thisminute, " he whispered, gratefully, "but the Judge would scalp me if Idared; he is eyeing me with suspicion already. As to the result--well, if you hear a serenade in the wee small hours of the night, don't letit disturb you. I've got the guitar and the uniform all ready, and ifI fail it will not be because I have overlooked any romantic adjunctsto successful wooing. I'll be under your daughter's window singing'Sweet Evilena, ' rigged out like a cavalier in a picture-book. I'mwishing I could borrow a feather for the hat. " She laughed at the grotesque picture he suggested, but asked what hemeant by the uniform, and laughed still more when he told her he wasgoing to borrow one for the occasion from Kenneth, as Evilena hadannounced her scorn for all ununiformed men, and he did not mean torisk failure in a dress suit. Later he had an idea of applying for auniform of his own as surgeon in the army. "If you could introduce _that_ into your serenade I have no fear mylittle girl would refuse you, " said Mrs. McVeigh, encouragingly, "atleast not more than two or three times. " On leaving Mrs. McVeigh he stumbled against Masterson, who was in theshadow just outside the window within which Monroe was in interestedconverse with Matthew Loring and some other residents of the county. He had been deliberately, and, in his own opinion, justifiably, alistener to every sentence advanced by the suspected Northerner, whomhe felt was imposing on the hospitality of the South only to betrayit. Earnest as his convictions were he had not yet been able to discernthe slightest trace of double intent in any of Monroe's remarks, whichwere, for the most part, of agricultural affairs, foreign affairs, even the possible future of the Seminoles in the Florida swamp; ofeverything, in fact, but the very vital question of the daysurrounding them, which only tended to confirm his idea that the manwas remarkably clever, and he despaired of securing sufficientevidence against him in the brief time at his disposal. He had just arrived at that conclusion when Delaven, high-hearted withhope, saw only the stars over his head as he paced the veranda, andturning the corner stumbled on Masterson. There was an exclamation, some words of apology, and involuntarilyMasterson stepped backward into the stream of light from the openwindow, and Monroe, looking around, read the whole situation at aglance. Masterson still suspected him, and was listening! Monroefrankly laughed and made a little sound, the mere whisper of awhistle, as he met Masterson's baffled look with one of cool mockery;it was nonchalant to the verge of insolence, and enraged theSoutherner, strong in his convictions of right, as a blow could nothave done. For a blow a man could strike back, but this mockery! Delaven walked on, unconscious of the suppressed feeling between thetwo. Masterson was handicapped by the fact that he dared not againmention his suspicions to the McVeigh family, and he strode down thesteps to the lawn, furious at the restraint put upon him, andconscious, now, that surveillance was useless, since the Northernerhad been put upon his guard. His impatience filled him with rage. He was honest, and he was afighter, but of what use was that since he had blundered? He had dealtclumsy strokes with both hands, but the other had parried each thrustwith a foil. He was worsted--the game was up, but he at least meant tolet the interloper know that however clever he might be, there weresome people, at least, whom he could not deceive. That was the humor he was in when he saw Monroe excuse himself toLoring, step through the window, and light a cigar, preparatory to astroll towards the tryst with Pluto. Masterson watched him sauntering carelessly down the steps. He hadremoved the cigar and was whistling very softly, unconsciously, as onewho is deep in some quandary, but to Masterson it seemed the acme ofstudious carelessness to ignore his own presence; it seemed insolentas the mocking glance through the window, and it decided him. Hisshoulders unconsciously squared as he stepped forward. "Captain Monroe, I want a word with you, " and his tone was a challengein itself. Monroe turned his head, slowly, finished the bar he waswhistling in a slightly louder tone--loud enough to distinguish thatit was "Rally 'Round the Flag, " whistled very badly. Monroe hadevidently little music in his soul, however much patriotism he had inhis heart. "Only one, I hope, " he said, carelessly, with an irritating smile. "You may have to listen to several before you get away from here!" "From--you?" and there was perceptible doubt in the tone; it added toMasterson's conviction of his own impotence. He dared not fight theman unless Monroe gave the challenge, though it was the one thing hewanted to do with all his heart. "From those in authority over this section, " he said, sternly. "Ah!--that is a different matter. " "You may find it a very serious matter, Captain Monroe. " "Oh, no; I shan't find it, I'm not looking for it, " and Monroe softlyresumed, _"The Union Forever. "_ "If you take my advice, " began Masterson, angrily, "you'll"--butMonroe shook his head. "I shan't, so don't mention it, " he said, blandly. Masterson's wordyanger showed him that he was master of the situation, so he onlysmiled as he added, "advice, you know, is something everybody givesand nobody takes, " and Monroe resumed his whistle. "You think yourself cursedly clever, " and it was an effort forMasterson to keep from striking the cool, insolent face. "You thoughtso today when Madame Caron was suspected instead of yourself. " "Madame Caron!" Monroe ceased the whistle and looked at him with amomentary frown, which Masterson welcomed as a sign of anger. "Ah, that touches you, does it?" "Only with wonder that you dare speak of her after your failure tomake her the victim of your spies today, " and Monroe's tone was againonly contemptuous. "First you arrest me, then accuse Madame Caron. Evidently you are out of your sphere in detective work; it reallyrequires considerable cleverness, you know. Yet, if it amusesyou--well"--he made a little gesture of indifference and turned away, but Masterson stepped before him. "You will learn there is enough cleverness here to comprehend why youcame to this plantation a willing prisoner, " he said, threateningly. Monroe resumed his _"Rally Once Again, "_ and raised his browsinquiringly, "and also why you ignored a former acquaintance withMadame Caron and had to be introduced. Before you are through withthis business, Captain Monroe, you'll whistle a different tune. " "Oh, no, I shan't; I don't know any other, " said Monroe, amiably, andsauntered away as some of the guests, with gay good nights, came downthe steps. The evening, delightful as it had been, fraught withemotion as it had been, was passing. The late hour reminded Monroethat he must no longer delay seeing Pluto if he was to see him at all. They had exchanged glances several times, but the black man's dutieshad kept him occupied every minute, and they had found no opportunityto speak unobserved. Judithe stood beside Mrs. McVeigh on the veranda exchanging goodnights with some of the people, who expected to be her neighbors inthe near future, and who were delighted with the prospect. She hadbeen a decided success with the warm-hearted Southerners, and hadentered the rooms a short time after her interview with her host, sogay, so bright, that he could scarcely believe those brilliant eyeswere the ones he had seen tear-wet in the dusk. She had not avoidedhim, but she had made a tete-a-tete impossible; for all that he couldonly remember the moment when she had leaned upon his breast andconfessed that the love was not all on his side; no after attempt atindifference could erase an iota of that! Monroe stopped to look at her, himself unseen, and as she stood theresmiling, gracious, the very star of the evening, he thought he hadnever before seen her so absolutely sparkling. He had always known herbeautiful; tonight she was regal beyond comparison. Always in theyears to follow he thought of her as she stood there that night, radiant, dominant, at the very pinnacle of success in all things. Henever again saw her like that. As he passed on he relit the cigar, forgotten during his meeting withMasterson, and Pluto, who had been on nettles of anxiety to get awayfrom his duties all the evening, seized the opportunity when no onewas looking, and followed closely the light of the cigar as it movedalong the hedge past the dining room windows. He carried the treasured bag holding the dead Rosa's belongings. "Couldn't get away a mite sooner, not to save me, Mahsa Captain, " hesaid, breathlessly; "had to run now to get 'way from them niggahs inthe kitchen, who wanted to know what I was toten. I had this here hidin the pantry whah I had no chance to look through it, so if you'lls'cuse me I jest gwine dump em out right heah; the picture case, it'splum down in the bottom; I felt it. " Monroe smoked in silence while the darky was making the search. He nolonger needed the picture in order to convince Madame Caron of thetruth of Pluto's story, yet concluded it best that she have possessionof so compromising a portrait until her clever maid was out of thecountry. He could hear Colonel McVeigh asking for Pluto, and Caroline offeringinformation that "Pluto jest gone out through the pantry. " "You'd better hurry, my man, " suggested Monroe, "they'll be lookingfor you. " "They will that--folks all gwine home, an' need a sight o' waiten' on;thah's the likeness, Mahs Captain;" he handed him a small oval frame, commenced crowding the other articles hurriedly back into the bag;"fo' God's sake, be careful o' that; I don' want it to fetch harm tothat gal, but I don' allow neither fo' Madame Caron to be made troubleif I can help it. " "You're a faithful fellow; there's a coin in exchange for the picture;you'd better go. I'll see you in the morning. " Pluto was profuse in his thanks, while Monroe hunted for a match withwhich to view the picture. He struck a light and opened the little closed frame as Pluto startedfor the side door. An instant later he snapped it shut again, and asthe darky reached the steps Monroe's hand was on his shoulder: "Wait a bit, " he said, briefly. "You say that is the picture ofRhoda's mother? Now tell me again what her name is. " "Who?--Margeret? Why, her name Margeret Loring, I reckon, but Nelsedid say her right name was 'Caris--Lacaris. Retta Lacaris what shecalled when she jest a young gal an' Mahs Tom Loring fust boughther. " Monroe repeated the name in order to impress it on his memory. He tooka pencil and note book out of his pocket. Pluto half offered his hand for the little oval frame, for there wasenough light where they stood to see it by, but Monroe slipped it withthe note book into an inner pocket. "The Colonel will want you; youhad better go, " he said, turning away, and walking directly from thehouse he crossed the lawn out of sight and hearing of the departingguests. All the gay chatter jarred on him, oppressed as he was withthe certainty of some unknown calamity overhanging those laughingpeople on the veranda. What it was he did not know, but he would leavein the morning. He had been gone an hour. He was missed, but no one except Mastersontook any special notice of it, and he was wary about asking questions, remembering Colonel McVeigh's attitude in the morning over thedisputed question. But as he was enjoying a final cigar with JudgeClarkson on the lawn--the Judge was the very last to leave and waswaiting for his horse--all his suspicions were revived with addedstrength as McVeigh strode hurriedly across the veranda towards them. "Phil, I was looking for you, " and his tone betrayed unusualanxiety reflected in his face as he glanced around to see if therewere possible listeners. But the rooms on the first floor weredeserted--all dark but for a solitary light in the hall. In theupper rooms little gleams stole out from the sleeping rooms wherethe ladies had retired for the night. "Anything wrong, Colonel?" asked Masterson, speaking in a suppressedtone and meeting him at the foot of the steps. "Who is that with you, the Judge?" asked McVeigh first. "Good! I'mglad you are here. Something astounding has occurred, gentlemen. Thepapers, the instructions you brought today, together with some otherdocuments of importance, have been stolen from my room tonight!" "Ah-h!" Masterson's voice was scarcely above a whisper. All hissuspicions blazed again. Now he understood Monroe's presence there. "But, my dear boy, " gasped the Judge, thunderstruck at the news, "yourcommission stolen? Why, how--" "The commission is the least important part of it, " answered McVeighhopelessly. He was pacing back and forth in decided agitation. "Thecommission was forwarded me with instructions to take charge of theentire division during the temporary absence of the Major Generalcommanding. " "And you have lost those instructions?" demanded Masterson, whorealized the serious consequences impending. "Yes, " and McVeigh halted in his nervous walk, "I have lost thoseinstructions. I have lost the entire plan of movement! It has beenstolen from my room--is perhaps now in the hands of the enemy, and Iignorant of the contents! I had only glanced at them and meant to goover them thoroughly tonight. They are gone, and it means failure, court martial, disgrace!" He had dropped hopelessly on the lower step, his face buried in hishands; the contrast to the joy, the absolute happiness of an hour agowas overwhelming. Masterson stood looking at him, thinking fast, andwondering how much he dared express. "When did you discover the loss, Colonel?" "Just now, " he answered, rising and commencing again the nervouspacing. "I had gone to my room with Dr. Delaven to find an old uniformof mine he had asked to borrow. Then I found the drawer of my deskopen and my papers gone. I said nothing to him of the loss. Any searchto be made must be conducted without publicity. " "Certainly, certainly, " agreed Judge Clarkson, "but a search, Kenneth, my boy? Where could we begin?" McVeigh shook his head, but Masterson remembered that Delaven was alsoan outsider--and Delaven had borrowed a Confederate uniform! "Colonel, " he asked, with a significance he tried ineffectually tosubdue, for all subterfuge was difficult to his straightforwardnature, "may I ask for what purpose that uniform was borrowed?" The tone was unmistakable. McVeigh turned as if struck. "Captain Masterson!" "Colonel, this is no time to stand on ceremony. Some one who was yourguest tonight evidently stole those papers! Most of the guests wereold, tried friends, but there were exceptions. Two are foreigners, andone belongs to the enemy. It is most natural that the exceptions beconsidered first. " Clarkson nodded assent to this very logicaldeduction and Masterson felt assured of his support. "The borrowing ofthe uniform in itself is significant, but at this time is especiallyso. " "No, no, no!" and his superior officer waved aside the questionimpatiently. "Dr. Delaven is above suspicion; he is about to offer hisservices as surgeon to our cause--talked to me of it tonight. Theuniform was for some jest with my sister. It has nothing whatever todo with this. " "What became of the man you suspected as a spy this morning?" askedthe Judge, and McVeigh also looked at Masterson for reply. "No, it was not he, " said the latter, decidedly. "He was watched everyminute of his stay here, and his stay was very brief. But ColonelMcVeigh--Kenneth; even at the risk of your displeasure I must remindyou that Dr. Delaven is not the only guest here who is either neutralor pledged to the cause of our enemies--I mean Captain Jack Monroe. " "Impossible!" said McVeigh; but Masterson shook his head. "If the name of every guest here tonight were mentioned you would feeljustified in saying the same thing--impossible, yet it has beenpossible, since the papers are gone. Who but the Federals would wantthem? Captain Monroe of the Federal army allowed himself to be takenprisoner this morning and brought to your home, though he had a parolein his pocket! The careless reason he gave for it did not satisfy me, and now even you must agree that it looks suspicious. " McVeigh glanced from one to the other in perplexity. He felt that theJudge agreed with Masterson; he was oppressed by the memory of theaccusation against the sailor that morning. Spies and traitors atMcVeigh Terrace! He had placed his orderly on guard in the room sosoon as he discovered the rifled drawer, and had at once come toMasterson for consultation, but once there no solution of the problemsuggested itself. There seemed literally no starting point forinvestigation. The crowd of people there had made the difficultygreater, for servants of the guests had also been there--drivers andboatmen. Yet who among them could have access to the rooms of thefamily? He shook his head at Masterson's suggestion. "Your suspicions against Captain Monroe are without foundation, " hesaid decidedly. "The papers had not yet reached me when he arrived. Hehad no knowledge of their existence. " "How do we know that?" demanded Masterson. "Do you forget that he waspresent when I gave you the papers?" McVeigh stopped short and stared at him. By the thin edge of the wedgeof suspicion a door seemed forced back and a flood of revelationsforced in. "By Jove!" he said, slowly, "and he heard me speak of the importanceof my instructions!" "Where is he now?" asked the Judge. "I have not seen him for an hour;but there seems only one thing to be done. " "Certainly, " agreed Masterson, delighted that McVeigh at last began tolook with reason on his own convictions. "He should be arrested atonce. " "We must not be hasty in this matter, it is so important, " saidMcVeigh. "Phil, I will ask you to see that a couple of horses aresaddled. Have your men do it without arousing the servants'suspicions. I am going to my room for a more thorough investigation. Come with me, Judge, if you please. I am glad you remained. I don'twant any of the others to know what occurred. I can't believe it ofMonroe--yet. " "Kenneth, my boy, I don't like to crush any lingering faith youhave in your Northern friend, " said Clarkson, laying his handaffectionately on McVeigh's arm as they reached the steps, "but fromthe evidence before us I--I'm afraid he's gone! He'll never comeback!" At that moment a low, lazy sort of whistle sounded across thelawn, so low and so slow that it was apparently an unconsciousaccompaniment to reverie or speculation. It was quite dark exceptwhere the light shone from the hall. All the gaudy paper lanternshad been extinguished, and when the confidential notes of "Rally'round the flag, boys, " came closer, and the whistler emerged fromthe deeper shadows, he could only distinguish two figures at the footof the steps, and they could only locate him by the glow of hiscigar in the darkness. There was a moment's pause and then the whistler said, "Hello! Friendsor foes?" "Captain Jack!" said McVeigh, with a note of relief in his voice, veryperceptible to the Judge, who felt a mingling of delight and surpriseat his failure as a prophet. "Oh, it's you, is it, Colonel?" and Monroe came leisurely forward. "Ifancied every one but myself had gone to bed when I saw the lightsout. I walked away across your fields, smoking. " The others did not speak. They could not at once throw aside theconstraint imposed by the situation. He felt it as he neared thesteps, but remarked carelessly: "Cloudy, isn't it? I am not much of a weather prophet, but feel as ifthere is a storm in the air. " "Yes, " agreed McVeigh, with an abstracted manner. He was not thinkingof the probable storm, but of what action he had best take in thematter, whether to have the suspected man secretly watched, or to makea plain statement of the case, and show that the circumstantialevidence against him was too decided to be ignored. "Well, Colonel, you've helped me to a delightful evening, " continuedthe unsuspecting suspect. "I shall carry away most pleasant memoriesof your plantation hospitality, and have concluded to start with themin the morning. " There was a slight pause, then he added: "Sorry Ican't stay another day, but I've been thinking it over, and it seemsnecessary for me to move on to the coast. " "Not going to run from the enemy?" asked Clarkson, with a doubtfulattempt at lightness. "Not necessary, Judge; so I shall retreat in good order. " He ascendedthe steps, yawning slightly. "You two going to stay up all night?" "No, " said McVeigh, "I've just been persuading Judge Clarkson toremain; we'll be in presently. " "Well, I'll see you in the morning, gentlemen. Good night. " They exchanged good nights, and he entered the house, still with thatsoft whisper of a whistle as accompaniment. It grew softer as heentered the house, and the two stood there until the last sound haddied away. "Going in the morning, Kenneth, " said the Judge, meaningly. "Now, whatdo you think?" "That Masterson is right, " answered McVeigh. "He is the last man Ishould have suspected, but there seems nothing to do except make thearrest at once, or put him secretly under surveillance without hisknowledge. I incline to the latter, but will consult with Masterson. Come in. " They entered the hall, where McVeigh shut the door and turned thelight low as they passed through. Pluto was nodding half asleep in theback hall, and his master told him to go to bed, he would not beneeded. Though he had formed no definite plan of action he felt thatthe servants had best be kept ignorant of all movements for thepresent. Somebody's servants might have helped with that theft, whynot his own? In the upper hall he passed Margeret, who was entering the room ofMiss Loring with a pitcher of water. The hall was dark as they passedthe corridor leading to the rooms of Madame Caron, Evilena, MissLoring and Captain Monroe. Light showed above the doors of Miss Loringand Monroe. The other rooms were already dark. The two men paused long enough to note those details, then McVeighwalked to the end of the corridor and bolted the door to the balcony. Monroe was still softly whistling at intervals. He would ceaseoccasionally and then, after a few moments, would commence again wherehe had left off. He was evidently very busy or very much preoccupied. To leave his room and descend the stairs he would have to passMcVeigh's room, which was on the first landing. The orderly was onguard there, within. McVeigh sent him with a message to Masterson, whowas in the rear of the building. The man passed out along the backcorridor and the other two entered the room, but left the door ajar. In the meantime a man who had been watching Monroe's movements in thepark for some time now crept closer to the house. He watched him enterthe house and the other two follow. He could not hear what they said, but the closing of the door told him the house was closed for thenight. The wind was rising and low clouds were scurrying past. Now andthen the stars were allowed to peep through, showing a faint light, and any one close to him would have seen that he wore a Confederateuniform and that his gaze was concentrated on the upper balcony. Atlast he fancied he could distinguish a white figure against the glassdoor opening from the corridor. Assuring himself of the fact hestepped forward into the open and was about to cross the little spacebefore the house when he was conscious of another figure, also in grayuniform, and the unmistakable cavalry hat, coming stealthily from theother side of the house. The second figure also glanced upwards at the balcony, but was tooclose to perceive the slender form above moving against one of thevine-covered pillars when the figure draped in white bent over asthough trying to decipher the features under the big hat, and just asthe second comer made a smothered attempt to clear his throat, something white fell at his feet. "Sweet Evilena!" he said, picking it up. "Faith, the mother has toldher and the darling was waiting for me. Delaven's private postoffice!" He laid down the guitar and fumbled for a match, when thewatcher from the shadows leaped upon him from behind, throttling himthat no sound be made, and while he pinned him to the ground with hisknee, kept one hand on his throat and with the other tried to loosenthe grasp of Delaven's hand on the papers. "Give me that paper!" he whispered fiercely. "Give it to me or I'llkill you where you lay! Give it to me!" In the struggle Delaven struck the guitar with the heel of his boot, there was a crash of resonant wood, and a wail of the strings, and itreached the ears of Masterson and the orderly, who were about to enterthe side door from the arbor. Masterson halted to listen whence the crash came, but the orderly'sears were more accurate and he dashed towards the corner. "Captain, " he called in a loud whisper, as he saw the strugglingfigures, and at the call and the sound of quick steps Pierson leapedto his feet and ran for the shrubbery. "Halt!" called Masterson, and fired one shot from his revolver. Thefugitive leaped to one side as the order rang out and the bullet wentwhistling past. He had cleared the open space and was in theshrubbery. The orderly dashed after him as Masterson caught Delaven, who was scrambling to his feet, feeling his throat and trying to takea full breath. "Who are you?" demanded Masterson, shaking him a trifle to hasten thesmothered speech. "Doctor Delaven! You! Who was that man?" "It's little I can tell you, " gasped the other, "except that he's somemurderous rival who wanted to make an angel of me. Man, but he has agrip!" Margeret suddenly appeared on the veranda with a lamp held high aboveher head, as she peered downward in the darkness, and by its lightMasterson scanned the appearance of Delaven with a doubtful eye. "Why did the man assault you?" he demanded, and Delaven showed thelong envelope. "He was trying to rob me of a letter let fall from the balcony above, bad luck to him!" At that moment the orderly came running back to say that the man hadgot away; a horse had been tied over in the pines, they could hear thebeat of its hoofs now on the big road. "Get a horse and follow him, " ordered Masterson briefly, asMcVeigh and Clarkson came down the stairs and past Margeret. "Arresthim, shoot him, fetch him back some way!" Then he turned again tothe would-be cavalier of romance, who was surveying the guitardisconsolately. "Doctor Delaven, what are you doing in that uniform?" "I was about to give a concert, " returned that individual, who made agrotesque figure in the borrowed suit, a world too large for him. McVeigh laughed as he heard the reply and surveyed the speaker. Masterson's persistent search for spies had evidently spoiledDelaven's serenade. Mrs. McVeigh opened a window and asked what the trouble was, andMasterson assured her it was only an accident--his revolver had goneoff, but no one was hurt, on which assurance she said good night andclosed the window, while the group stood looking at each otherquestioningly. Masterson's manner showed that it was something morethan an accident. "What is the meaning of this?" asked McVeigh in a guarded tone; andMasterson pointed to the package in Delaven's hand. "I think we've found it, Colonel, " he said, excitedly. "DoctorDelaven, what is in that envelope?" "Faith, I don't know, Captain. The fellow didn't give me time to readit. " "Give it to me. " "No, I'll not, " returned Delaven, moving towards the light. "And why not?" demanded Masterson, suspiciously. "Because it's from a lady, and it's private. " He held the envelope to the light, but there was no name or address onit. He tore off the end and in extracting the contents two papersslipped out and fell on the ground. Masterson picked them up and aftera glance waved them triumphantly, while Delaven looked puzzled overthe slip in his hands. It was only something about militarymatters, --the furthest thing possible from a billet-doux. "I thought myself it was the weightiest one ever launched by Cupid, "he remarked as he shook his head over the mystery. But Mastersonthrust the papers into McVeigh's hands. "Your commission and instructions, Colonel!" he said, jubilantly. "What a run of luck. See if they are all right. " "Every one of them, " and in a moment the Judge and Masterson wereshaking hands with him, while Delaven stood apart and stared. He wasglad they were having so much joy to themselves, but could not see whyhe should be choked to obtain it for them. "Understand one thing, " said Masterson, when the congratulations wereover; "those papers were thrown from that balcony to Dr. Delaven bymistake. The man they were meant for tried to strangle the doctor andhas escaped, but the man who escaped, Colonel, was evidently only amessenger, and the real culprit, the traitor, is in your house now, and reached the balcony through that corridor door!" The wind blew Margeret's lamp out, leaving them, for an instant, indarkness, but she entered the hall, turned up the light there so thatit shone across the veranda and down the steps; then she lit the lampin the library and went softly up the stairs and out of sight. "Come into the library, " suggested McVeigh. "You are right, Phil, there is only one thing to be done in the face of such evidence ByJove! It seems incredible. I would have fought for Jack Monroe, swornby him, and after all--" A leisurely step sounded on the stairs and Monroe descended. He woreno coat or vest and was evidently prepared for bed when disturbed. "What's all the row about?" he asked, yawning. "Oh, are you in it, Colonel?" There was a slight pause before McVeigh said: "Captain Monroe, the row is over for the present, since yourconfederate has escaped. " "My--confederate?" He glanced in inquiry from one to the other, but could see nofriendliness in their faces. Delaven looked as puzzled as himself, butthe other three regarded him coldly. He tossed his half finishedcigar out of the door, and seemed to grow taller, as he turned towardthem again. "May I ask in what way I am linked with a confederacy. " "In using your parole to gain knowledge of our army for the use of theFederal government, " answered McVeigh, bluntly. Monroe made a step forward, but halted, drew a long breath, and thrusthis uninjured hand into his pocket, as if to hamper its aggressivetendencies. "Is it considered a part of Southern hospitality that the hostreserves the right to insult his guests?" he asked slowly. Masterson'sface flushed with anger at the sweeping suggestion, but McVeighglanced at him warningly. "This is not a time for useless words, Captain Monroe, and it seemsuseless to discuss the rights of the hospitality you have outraged. " "That is not true, Colonel McVeigh, " and his tones were very steady ashe made the denial. His very steadiness and cool selfcontrol angeredMcVeigh, who had hoped to see him astonished, indignant, natural. "Not true?" he demanded. "Is it not true that you were received hereas a friend, welcomed as a brother? That you listened this morningwhen those military dispatches reached me? That you heard me say theywere very important? That as soon as they were stolen from my roomtonight you announced that you could not prolong your stay, yourobject in coming having evidently been accomplished? Is it not truethat today you managed to divert suspicion from yourself to aninnocent lady? The authorities were evidently right who had thatsailor followed here; but unknown to her it was not his employer hecame here to meet, but _you_, his confederate! He was only themessenger, while you were the real spy--the officer who has brokenhis parole of honor. " Monroe had listened with set teeth to the accusation, a certaindoggedness in his expression as the list of his delinquencies werereviewed, but at the final sentence the clenched hand shot forward andhe struck McVeigh a wicked blow, staggering him back against thewall. "You are a liar and a fool, Colonel McVeigh, " he said in a chokedvoice, his face white with anger. The Judge and Masterson interposed as McVeigh lunged forward at him, and then he controlled his voice enough to say, "Captain Monroe, youare under arrest. " And the commotion and deep breathing of the men prevented them hearingthe soft rustle of a woman's dress in the hall as Judithe slipped awayinto the darkness of the sitting room, and thence up the back stairs. She had followed Monroe as he passed her door. She heard all theirwords, and the final ones: "_Captain Monroe, you are under arrest!_"rang in her ears all night as she tossed sleepless in the darkness. That is what Kenneth McVeigh would say to her if he knew the truth. Well, he should know it. Captain Monroe was sacrificing himself forher. How she admired him! Did he fancy she would allow it? Yet thatshot alarmed her. She heard them say Pierson had escaped, but had heretained the papers? If she was quite sure of _that_ she wouldannounce the truth at once and clear him. But the morning was so near. She must wait a few hours longer, and then--then Kenneth McVeigh wouldsay to her, "_You are under arrest_, " and after all her success wouldcome defeat. She had never yet met defeat, and it was not pleasant to contemplate. She remembered his words of love--the adoration in his eye; would thatlove protect her when he learned she was the traitor to his home andcountry? She smiled bitterly at the thought, and felt that she couldsee clearly how _that_ would end. He would be patriot first and loverafter, unless it was some one of his own family--some one whose honormeant his honor--some one-- Then in the darkness she laughed at a sudden remembrance, and risingfrom the couch paced feverishly the length of the room many times, andstood gazing out at the stars swept by fleecy clouds. Out there on the lawn he had vowed his love for her, asked her tomarry him--marry him at once, before he left to join his brigade. Shehad not the slightest idea of doing it then; but now, why not? Itcould be entirely secret--so he had said. It would merely be abetrothal with witnesses, _and_ it would make her so much a part ofthe McVeigh family that he must let Captain Jack go on her word. Andbefore the dawn broke she had decided her plan of action. If he said, "_You are under arrest_" to her, it should be to his own wife! She plunged into the idea with the reckless daring of a gamester whothrows down his last card to win or lose. It had to be played any way, so why not double the stakes? She had played on that principle in someof the most fashionable gaming places of Europe in search of cure forthe ennui she complained of to Captain Jack; so why not in this morevital game of living pawns? She had wept in the dark of the garden when his lips had touched her;she had said, wild, impulsive things; she had been a fool; but in thelight of the new day she set her teeth and determined the folly wasover--only one day remained. Military justice--or injustice--movedswiftly, and there was a man's life to be saved. CHAPTER XXVIII. The sun was just peeping, fiery red and threatening, above the bank ofclouds to the east when Delaven was roused from sweet sleep by theapparition of Colonel McVeigh, booted, spurred and ready for thesaddle. "I want you to come riding with me, and to come quick, " he said, witha face singularly bright and happy, considering the episode of thenight before, and the fact that his former friend was now a prisonerin a cottage back of the dwelling house, guarded by the orderlies. He had dispatched a courier for a detachment of men from one of thefortifications along the river. He would send Monroe in their chargeto Charleston with a full statement of the case before he left to joinhis brigade--and ere that time:-- Close to his heart lay the little note Pluto had brought him less thanan hour before, the second written word he had ever received fromJudithe. The first had sent him away from her--but this! So Delaven dressed himself quickly, ate the impromptu breakfastarranged by the Colonel's order, and joined Judithe at the steps asthe horses were brought around. She was gracious and gay as usual, and replied to his gallant remarkswith her usual self-possession, yet he fancied her a trifle nervous, as was to be expected, and that she avoided his gaze, looking overhim, past him, every place but in his eyes, at which he did notwonder especially. Of all the women he had known she was the last toassociate with a hurried clandestine marriage. Of course it was allexplained by the troublous war times, and the few brief hours, andabove all by the love he had always fancied those two felt for eachother. They had a five mile ride to the country home of a disabled chaplainwho had belonged to McVeigh's regiment--had known him from boyhood, and was home now nursing a shattered arm, and was too well used tothese hurried unions of war times to wonder much at the Colonel'srequest, and only slightly puzzled at the added one of secrecy. At the Terrace no one was surprised at the early ride of the three, even though the morning was not a bright one. Madame Caron had madethem accustomed to those jaunts in the dawn, and Mrs. McVeigh wasrelieved to learn that Kenneth had accompanied her. Shocked as she wasto hear of Monroe's arrest, and the cause of it, she was comfortedsomewhat that Kenneth did not find the affair serious enough tointerfere with a trifle of attention to her guest. In fact the Colonel had not, in the note hastily scribbled to hismother, given her anything like a serious account of the case. CaptainMonroe had for certain military reasons been placed under guard untilan escort could arrive and accompany him to Charleston for somespecial investigations. She was not to be disturbed or alarmed becauseof it; only, no one was to be allowed to see or speak with him withouta special permit. He would explain more fully on his return, and onlyleft the note to explain why Captain Monroe would breakfast alone. Matthew Loring also breakfasted alone. He was in a most excitablestate over the occurrence of the night before, which Judge Clarksonwas called on to relate, and concerning which he made all thereservations possible, all of them entirely acceptable to hislisteners with the exception of Miss Loring, who heard, and then sentfor Phil Masterson. She was talking with him on the lawn when the three riders returned, and when Kenneth McVeigh bent above Judithe with some laughing wordsas he led her up the steps, the heart of his girl-playmate grew sickwithin her. She had feared and dreaded this foreign exquisite from thefirst; now, she knew why. Evilena was also watching for their return and gave Delaven a coollittle nod in contrast to the warm greeting given her brother andMadame Caron. But instead of being chilled he only watched hisopportunity to whisper: "I wore the uniform!" She tossed her head and found something interesting in the view on theopposite side of the lawn. He waited meekly, plucked some roses, whichhe presented in silence and she regarded with scorn. But as she didnot move away more than two feet he took heart of grace and repeated: "I wore the uniform!" "Yes, " she said, with fine scorn, "wore it in our garden, where youwere safe!" "Arrah! Was I now?" he asked in his best brogue. "Well, it's myselfthought I was anything but safe for a few minutes. But I saved thepapers, and your brother was good enough to say I'd saved his honor. " "You!" "Just me, and no other, " he affirmed. "Didn't I hold on to thoseinstructions while that Yankee spy was trying to send me to--heaven?And if that was not helping the cause and risking my life, well now, what would you call it?" "Oh!" gasped Evilena, delightedly, "I never thought of that. Why, youwere a real hero after all. I'm so glad, I--" Then realizing that her exuberance was little short of caressing, andthat she actually had both hands on his arm, she drew back and addeddemurely that she would always keep those roses, and she would like tokeep the guitar, too, just as it was, for her mama agreed that it wasa real romance of a serenade--the serenade that was not sung. After which, he assured her, the serenades under her window should notalways be silent ones, and they went in search of the broken guitar. Judge Clarkson was pacing the veranda with well concealed impatience. Colonel McVeigh's ride had interfered with the business talk he hadplanned. Matthew Loring was decidedly irritable over it, and he, Clarkson, was the one who, with Gertrude, had to hear the complaints. But looking in Kenneth's happy face he could not begrudge him thosebrief morning hours at Beauty's side, and only asked his considerationfor the papers at the earliest convenient moment, and at the same timeasked if the cottage was really a safe place for so important aprisoner as Monroe. "Perfectly safe, " decided McVeigh, "so safe that there is no danger ofescape; and as I think over the whole affair I doubt if on trialanything in this world can save him. " "Well, I should hate to take his chances in the next, " declared theJudge; "it seems so incredible that a man possessed of the courage, the admirable attributes you have always ascribed to him, should proveso unworthy--a broken parole. Why, sir, it is--is damnable, sir, damnable!" Colonel McVeigh agreed, and Clarkson left the room without perceivingthat Madame Caron had been a listener, but she came in, removing hergloves and looking at the tiny band of gold on her third finger. "The Judge referred to Captain Monroe, did he not?" she asked, glancing up at him. "Kenneth"--and her manner was delightfullyappealing as she spoke his name in a shy little whisper, "Kenneth, there may be some horrible mistake. Your friend--that was--may beinnocent. " "Scarcely a chance of it, sweetheart, " and he removed her other gloveand kissed her fingers, glancing around first, to see that no one wasin sight. She laughed at his little picture of nervousness, but returned to thesubject. "But if it were so?" she persisted; "surely you will not counsel hastein deciding so serious a matter?" "At any rate, I mean to put aside so serious a subject of conversationon our wedding morning, " he answered, and she smiled back at him asshe said: "On our wedding morning, sir, you should be mercifully disposedtowards all men. " "We never class traitors as men, " and his fine face grew stern for aninstant, "they are vampires, birds of prey. A detail has been sent forto take him to court-martial; there is little doubt what the resultwill be, and--" "Suppose, " and she glanced up at him with a pretty appeal in her eyes, "that your wife, sir, should ask as a first favor on her wedding daythat you be merciful, as the rules of war allow you to be, to thispoor fellow who danced with us last night? Even supposing he is mosthorribly wicked, yet he really did dance with us--danced very well, and was very amusing. So, why not grant him another day of grace? No?"as he shook his head. "Well, Monsieur, I have a fancy ill luck mustcome if you celebrate our wedding day by hastening a man to meet hisdeath. Let him remain here under guard until tomorrow?" He shook his head, smilingly. "No, Judithe. " "Not even for me?" "Anything else, sweetheart, but not that. It is really out of my powerto delay, now, even if I wished. The guard will come for him some timethis evening. I, myself, shall leave at dawn tomorrow; so, yousee!--" She glanced at him in playful reproach, a gay irresponsible specimenof femininity, who would ignore a man's treason because he chanced tobe a charming partner in the dance. "My very first request! So, Monsieur, this is how you mean to love, honor and obey me?" He laughed and caught the uplifted forefinger with which sheadmonished him. "I shall be madly jealous in another minute, " he declared, with mockferocity; "you have been my wife two full hours and half of thatprecious time you have wasted pleading the cause of a possible rival, for he actually did look at you with more than a passing admiration, Judithe, it was a case of witchery at first sight; but for all that Irefuse to allow him to be a skeleton at our feast this morning. Therecomes Phil Masterson for me, I must go; but remember, this is not aday for considerations of wars and retribution; it is a day forlove. " "I shall remember, " she said, quietly, and walked to the windowlooking out on the swaying limbs of the great trees; they were beingswept by gusts of wind, driving threatening clouds from which the triohad ridden in haste lest a rain storm be back of their shadows. Thestorm Monroe had prophesied the night before had delayed and grumbledon the way, but it was coming for all that, and she welcomed thecoming. A storm would probably delay that guard for which McVeigh hadsent, and even the delay of a few hours might mean safety for CaptainMonroe; otherwise, she-- She had learned all about the adventures of the papers, and had madeher plans. Some time during that day or evening there would be a raidmade on the Terrace by Federals in Confederate uniform. They wouldprobably be thought by the inmates a party of daring foragers, andwould visit the smoke houses, and confiscate the contents of thepantry. Incidentally they would carry Colonel McVeigh and CaptainMasterson back to the coast as prisoners, if the required papers werenot found, otherwise nothing of person or property would be molestedby them; and they would, of course, free Captain Monroe, but forcehim, also, to go with them until within Federal lines and safety. She had planned it all out, and knew it would not be difficult. Thecoast was not far away, a group of men in Confederate uniform couldride across the country to the Salkahatchie, at that point, unobserved. The fortifications on the river had men coming and going, though not thoroughly manned, and just now the upper one had no menstationed there, which accounted for the fact that Colonel McVeigh hadto send farther for extra men. He could not spare his own orderlies, and Masterson's had not yet returned from following Pierson. Unlessthe raiders should meet with a detachment of bona-fide Confederatesthere was not one chance in fifty of them being suspected if they cameby the back roads she had mapped out and suggested; and if theyreached the Terrace before the Confederate guard, Monroe would befreed. She had not known there was that hope when she wrote the noteconsenting to the marriage. She heard they had sent down to the fortfor some men and supposed it was the first fort on the river--merelyan hour's ride away. It was not until they were in the saddle that shelearned it would be an all day's journey to the fort and back, andthat the colored carrier had just started. She knew that if it were a possible thing some message would be sentto her by the Federals as to the hour she might expect them, but if itwere not possible--well-- She chafed under the uncertainty, and watched the storm approachingover the far level lands of the east. Blue black clouds rolled nowwhere the sun had shot brief red glances on rising. Somewhere thereunder those heavy shadows the men she waited for were riding to herthrough the pine woods and over the swamp lands; if she had been apraying woman she would have prayed that they ride faster--no music solonged for as the jingle of their accoutrements! She avoided the rest and retired to her own room on the plea offatigue. Colonel McVeigh was engaged with his mother and JudgeClarkson on some affairs of the plantation, so very much had to becrowded into his few hours at home. Money had to be raised, propertyhad to be sold, and the salable properties were growing so few inthose days. Masterson was waiting impatiently for the Colonel, whom he had onlyseen for the most brief exchange of words that morning. It was nownoon. He had important news to communicate before that guard arrivedfor Monroe; it might entail surprising disclosures, and the minutesseemed like hours to him, while Judge Clarkson leisurely presented onepaper after another for Kenneth's perusal and signature, and Mrs. McVeigh listened and asked advice. Judithe descended the stairs, radiant in a gown of fluffy yellowstuff, with girdle of old topaz and a fillet of the same in quaintdull settings. The storm had grown terrific--the heavy clouds trailingto the earth and the lightning flashes lit up dusky corners. Evilenahad proposed darkening the windows entirely, lighting the lamps todispel the gloom, and dressing in their prettiest to drive awayforgetfulness of the tragedy of the elements; it was Kenneth's lastday at home; they must be gay though the heavens fell. Thus it was that the sitting room and dining room presented theunusual mid-day spectacle of jewels glittering in the lamplight, forGertrude also humored Evilena's whim to the extent of a dainty dressof softest sky blue silk, half covered with the finest work ofdelicate lace; she wore a pretty brooch and bracelet of turquoise, andwas a charming picture of blonde beauty, a veritable white lily of awoman. Dr. Delaven, noting the well-bred grace, the gentle, unassumingair so truly refined and patrician, figuratively took off his hat tothe Colonel, who, between two such alluring examples of femininity, two women of such widely different types as the Parisian and theCarolinian, had even been able to make a choice. For he could see whatevery one but Kenneth could see plainly, that while Miss Loring wasgracious and interested in her other men friends, he remained, asever, her one hero, apart from, and above all others, and if Judithede Caron had not appeared upon the scene-- Gertrude looked even lovelier than she had the night before at theparty. Her cheeks had a color unusual, and her eyes were bright withhope, expectation, or some unspoken cause for happiness; it sounded inthe tones of her voice and shone in the happy curves of her lips asshe smiled. "Look at yourself in the glass, Gertrude, " said Evilena, dragging herto the long mirror in the sitting room, "you are always lovely, dear, but today you are entrancingly beautiful. " "Today I am entrancingly happy, " returned Miss Loring, looking in themirror, but seeing in it not herself, but Judithe, who was crossingthe hall, and who looked like a Spanish picture in her gleam of yellowtissues and topazes. "Wasn't it clever of me to think of lighting the lamps?" asked Evilenain frank self-laudation, "just listen how that rain beats; and did yousee the hail? Well, it fell, lots of it, while we were dressing;that's what makes the air so cool. I hope it will storm all the raindown at once and then give us a clear day tomorrow, when Kenneth hasto go away. " "It would be awful for any one to be out in a storm like this, "remarked the other as the crash of thunder shook the house; "whatabout Captain Monroe having to go through it?" "Caroline said the guard has just got here, so I suppose he will haveto go no matter what the weather is. Well, I suppose he'd just as soonbe killed by the storm as to be shot for a spy. Only think of it--aguest of ours to be taken away as a spy!" "It is dreadful, " assented Gertrude, and then looking at Judithe, sheadded, "I hope you were not made nervous by the shot and excitementlast night; I assure you we do not usually have such finales to ourparties. " "I am not naturally timid, thank you, " returned Judithe, with acareless smile, all the more careless that she felt the blue eyes wereregarding her with unusual watchfulness; "one must expect all thoseinconveniences in war times, especially when people are located on theborder land, and I hear it is really but a short ride to the coast, where your enemies have their war vessels for blockade. Did Iunderstand you to say the military men have come for your friend, theFederal Captain? What a pity! He danced so well!" And with the careless smile still on her lips, she passed them andcrossed the hall to the library. Evilena shook her head and sighed. "_I_ am just broken hearted overhis arrest, " she acknowledged, "but it is because--well, it is _not_merely because he was a good dancer! Gertrude, I--I did somethinghorrid this morning, I just _could_ not eat my breakfast withoutshowing my sympathy in some way. You know those last cookies I baked?Well, I had some of those sent over with his breakfast. " "Poor fellow!" and Delaven shook his head sadly over the fate ofMonroe. Evilena eyed him suspiciously; but his face was all innocenceand sympathy. "It is terrible, " she assented; "poor mama just wept this morning whenwe heard of it; of course, if he really proves to be a spy, we shouldnot care what happened to him; but mama thinks of his mother, and ofhis dead brother, and--well, we both prayed for him this morning; itwas all we could do. Kenneth says no one must go near him, and ofcourse Kenneth knows what is best; but we are both hoping with all ourhearts that he had nothing to do with that spy; funny, isn't it, thatwe are praying and crying on account of a man who, after all, is areal Yankee?" "Faith, I'd turn Yankee myself for the same sweet sympathy, " declaredDelaven, and received only a reproachful glance for his frivolity. Judithe crossed the hall to the library, the indifferent smile stillon her lips, her movements graceful and unhurried; under the curiouseyes of Gertrude Loring she would show no special interest in the manunder discussion, or the guard just arrived, but for all that thearrival of the guard determined her course. All her courage was neededto face the inevitable; the inevitable had arrived, and she was not acoward. She looked at the wedding ring on her finger; it had been the weddingring of the dowager long ago, and she had given it to Kenneth McVeighthat morning for the ceremony. "Maman would approve if she knew all, " she assured herself, and nowshe touched the ring to remind her of many things, and to blot out theremembrance of others, for instance, the avowal of love under thearbor in the dusk of the night before! "But _that_ was last night, " she thought, grimly; "the darkness mademe impressionable, the situation made of me a nervous fool, who saidthe thing she felt and had no right to feel. It is no longer night, and I am no longer a fool! Do not let me forget, little ring, why Iallowed you to be placed there. I am going to tell him now, and Ishall need you and--Maman. " So she passed into the library; there could be no further delay, sincethe guard had arrived; Monroe should not be sacrificed. She closed the door after her and looked around. A man was in thelarge arm chair by the table, but it was not Colonel McVeigh. It wasMatthew Loring, whose man Ben was closing a refractory bangingshutter, and drawing curtains over the windows, while Pluto brought ina lighted lamp for the table, and both of them listened stoically toLoring's grumbling. For a wonder he approved of the innovation of lamps and closedshutters. He had, in fact, come from his own room because of the furyof the storm. He growled that the noise of it annoyed him, but wouldnot have acknowledged the truth, that the force of it appalled him, and that he shrank from being alone while the lightning threw threatsin every direction, and the crashes of thunder shook the house. "No, Kenneth isn't here, " he answered, grumpily. "They told me he was, but the nigger lied. " "Mahsa Kenneth jest gone up to his own room, Madame Caron, " saidPluto, quietly. "Mist'ess, she went, too, an' Judge Clarkson. " "Humph! Clarkson has got him pinned down at last, has he?" and therewas a note of satisfaction in his tone. "I was beginning to think thatbetween this fracas with the spy, and his galloping around thecountry, he would have no time left for business. I should not thinkyou'd consider it worth while to go pleasure-riding such a morning asthis. " "Oh, yes; it was quite worth while, " she answered, serenely; "thestorm did not break until our return. You are waiting for ColonelMcVeigh? So am I, and in the meantime I am at your service, willing tobe entertained. " "I am too much upset to entertain any one today, " he declared, fretfully; "that trouble last night spoiled my rest. I knew the womanMargeret lied when she came back and said it was only an accident. I'mnervous as a cat today. The doctors forbid me every form ofexcitement, yet they quarter a Yankee spy in the room over mine, andcommence shooting affairs in the middle of the night. It's--it'soutrageous!" He fell back in the chair, exhausted by his indignation. Judithe tookthe fan from Pluto's hand and waved it gently above the dark, vindictive face. His eyes were closed and as she surveyed the cynicalcountenance a sudden determination came to her. If she _should_ leavefor Savannah in the morning, why not let Matthew Loring hear, first, of the plans for Loringwood's future? She knew how to hurt KennethMcVeigh; she meant to see if there was any way of hurting thistrafficker in humanity, this aristocratic panderer to horrid vices. "You may go, Pluto, " she said, kindly. "I will ring if you areneeded. " Both the colored men went out, closing the door after them, and shebrought a hassock and placed it beside his chair, and seated herself, after taking a book from the shelf and opening it without glancing atthe title or pages. "Since you refuse to be entertainer, Monsieur Loring, you must submitto being entertained, " she said, pleasantly; "shall I sing to you, read to you, or tell you a story?" Her direct and persistent graciousness made him straighten up in hischair and regard her, inquiringly; there was a curious mocking tone inher voice as she spoke, but the voice itself was forgotten as helooked in her face. The light from the lamp was shining full on her face, and the face wascloser to him than it had ever been before. If she designed to dazzlehim by thus arranging a living picture for his benefit she certainlysucceeded. He had never really seen her until now, and he caught hisbreath sharply and was conscious that one of the most beautiful womenhe had ever seen in his life was looking at him with a strange smiletouching her perfect mouth, and a strange haunting resemblance to someone once known, shining in her dark eyes. "What sort of stories do you prefer--love stories?" she continued, ashe did not speak--only stared at her; "or, since we have had a realadventure in the house last night, possibly you would be interested inthe intrigue back of that--would you?" "Do you mean, " he asked, eagerly, "that you could give me some newfacts concerning the spy--Monroe?" "Yes, I really think I could, " she said, amiably, "as there happen tobe several things you have not been well informed upon. " "I know it!" he said, tapping the arm of the chair, impatiently, "theynever tell me half what is going on, now!--as if I was a child! andwhen I ask the cursed niggers, they lie so. Well, well, go on; tell methe latest news about this Yankee--Monroe. " "The very latest?" and she smiled again in that strange mocking way. "Well, the latest is that he is entirely innocent; had nothingwhatever to do with the taking of the papers. " "Madame Caron!" "Yes, I am quite serious. I was just about to tell Colonel McVeigh, but we can chat about it until he comes;" and she pretended not tonotice the wonder in his face, and went serenely on, "in fact, it wasnot a man who took the papers at all, but a woman; yes, a woman, " shesaid, nodding her head, as a frown of quick suspicion touched hisforehead and his eyes gleamed darkly on her, "in fact a confidentialagent, whom Captain Masterson designated yesterday as most dangerousto the Confederate cause. I am about to inform Colonel McVeigh of heridentity. But I do not fancy that will interest you nearly so much asanother story I have for you personally. " She paused and drew back a little, to better observe every expressionof his countenance. He was glaring at her and his breath was coming inbroken gasps. "There are really two of those secret Federal agents in this especialterritory, " she continued, "two women who have worked faithfully forthe Union. I fancied you might be especially interested in the storyof one of them, as she belongs to the Loring family. " "To our family? That is some cursed Yankee lie!" he burst outfiercely, "every Loring is loyal to the South! To _our_ family? Letthem try to prove that statement! It can't be done!" "You are quite right, Monsieur Loring, " she agreed, quietly, "it_would_ be difficult to prove, even if you wished to do it. " He fairlyglared at the possibility that he should want to prove it. "But it mayhave an interest to you for all that, since the girl in question wasyour brother's daughter. " "My brother's--!" He seemed choking, and he gazed at her with ahorrible expression. The door opened and Mrs. McVeigh entered ratherhastily, looking for something in the desk. Loring had sunk back inthe chair, and she did not see his face, but she could see Judithe's, and it was uplifted and slightly smiling. "Have you found something mutually interesting?" she asked, glancingat the book open on Judithe's knee. "Yes; a child's story, " returned her guest, and then the door closed, and the two were again alone. "There is a woman to be loved and honored, if one could only forgetthe sort of son she has trained, " remarked Judithe, thoughtfully, "with my heart I love her, but with my reason I condemn her. Can youcomprehend that, Monsieur Loring? I presume not, as you do notinterest yourself with hearts. " He was still staring at her like a man in a frightened dream; shecould see the perspiration standing on his forehead; his lips weretwitching horribly. "You understand, of course, " she said, continuing her formerdiscussion, "that the daughter in the story is not the lovely lady whois your heiress, and who is called Miss Loring. It is a youngerdaughter I refer to; she had no surname, because masters do not marryslaves, and her mother was a half Greek octoroon from Florida; hername was Retta Lacaris, and your brother promised her the freedom shenever received until death granted her what you could not keep fromher; do you remember that mother and child, Monsieur Loring?--themother who went mad and died, and the child whom you sold to KennethMcVeigh?--sold as a slave for his bachelor establishment; a slave whowould look like a white girl, whom you contracted should have theaccomplishments of a white girl, but without a white girl'sinconvenient independence, and the power of disposing of herself. " "You--you dare to tell me!--you--" He was choking with rage, but sheraised her hand for silence, and continued in the same quiet tone: "I have discussed the same affair in the salons of Paris--why not toyou? It was in Paris your good friend, Monsieur Larue, placed the girlfor the education Kenneth McVeigh paid for. It was also your friendwho bribed her to industry by a suggestion that she might gain freedomif her accomplishments warranted it. But you had forgotten, MatthewLoring, that the child of your brother had generations of whiteblood--of intellectual ancestry back of her. She had heard beforeleaving your shores the sort of freedom she was intended for, and yourschool was not a prison strong enough to hold her. She escaped, fledinto the country, hid like a criminal in the day, and walked alone atnight through an unknown county, a girl of seventeen! She found afriend in an aged woman, to whom she told her story, every word of it, Matthew Loring, and was received into the home as a daughter. Thathome, all the wealth which made it magnificent, and the title whichhad once belonged to her benefactress, became the property of yourbrother's daughter before that daughter was twenty years old. Now, doyou comprehend why one woman has crossed the seas to help, ifpossible, overthrow an institution championed by you? Now do youcomprehend my assurance that Captain Monroe is innocent? Now, dare youcontest my statement that one of the Loring family is a Federalagent?" "By God! I know you at last!" and he half arose from his chair as ifto strike her with both upraised shaking hands. "I--I'll have you tiedup and whipped until you shed blood for every word you've utteredhere! You wench! You black cattle! You--" "Stop!" she said, stepping back and smiling at his impotent rage. "Youare in the house of Colonel McVeigh, and you are speaking to hiswife!" He uttered a low cry of horror, and fell back in the chair, nerveless, speechless. "I thought you would be interested, if not pleased, " she continued, "and I wanted, moreover, to tell you that your sale of your brother'schild was one reason why your estate of Loringwood was selected inpreference to any other as a dowered home for free children--girlchildren, of color! Your ancestral estate, Monsieur Loring, will beused as an industrial home for such young girls. The story of yourhuman traffic shall be told, and the name of Matthew Loring execratedin those walls long after the last of the Lorings shall be under thesod. That is the monument I have designed for you, and the design willbe carried out whether I live or die. " He did not speak, only sat there with that horrible stare in his eyes, and watched her. "I shall probably not see you again, " she continued, "as I leave forSavannah in the morning, unless Colonel McVeigh holds his wife as aspy, but I could not part without taking you into my confidence to acertain extent, though I presume it is not necessary to tell you howuseless it would be for you to use this knowledge to my disadvantageunless I myself should avow it. You know I have told you the truth, but you could not prove it to any other, and--well, I think that isall. " She was replacing the book in the case when Gertrude enteredfrom the hall. Judithe only heard the rustle of a gown, and withoutturning her head to see who it was, added, "Yes, that is all, exceptto assure you our tete-a-tete has been exceedingly delightful to me; Ihad actually forgotten that a storm was raging!" CHAPTER XXIX. Miss Loring glanced about in surprise when she found no one in theroom but her uncle and Madame Caron. "Oh, I did not know you had left your room, " she remarked, goingtowards him; "do you think it quite wise? And the storm; isn't itdreadful?" "I have endeavored to make him forget it, " remarked Judithe, "andtrust I have not been entirely a failure. " She was idly fingering the volumes in the book-case, and glanced overher shoulder as she spoke. Her hands trembled, but her teeth were setunder the smiling lips--she was waiting for his accusation. "I have no doubt my uncle appreciates your endeavors, " returnedGertrude, with civil uncordiality, as she halted back of his chair, "but he is not equal to gayeties today; last night's excitement wasquite a shock to him, as it was to all of us. " "Yes, " agreed Judithe; "we were just speaking of it. " "Phil Masterson tells me the men will be here some time today forCaptain Monroe, " continued Gertrude, still speaking from the back ofhis chair, over which she was leaning. "Phil's orderly just returnedfrom following the spy last night. Caroline made us think at first itwas the guard already from the fort, but that was a mistake; she couldnot see clearly because of the storm. And, uncle, he came back withoutever getting in sight of the man, though he rode until morning beforehe turned back; isn't it too bad for--" Something in that strange silence of the man in the chair suddenlychecked the speech on her lips, and with a quick movement she was infront of him, looking in his face, into the eyes which turned towardsher with a strange, horrible expression in them, and the lips vainlytrying to speak, to give her warning. But the blow of paralysis hadfallen again. He was speechless, helpless. Her piercing scream broughtthe others from the sitting room; the stricken man was carried to hisown apartment by order of Dr. Delaven, who could give them little hopeof recovery; his speech might, of course, return as it had done a yearbefore, after the other paralytic stroke, but-- Mrs. McVeigh put her arm protectingly around the weeping girl, comprehending that even though he might recover his speech, anyimprovement must now be but a temporary respite. At the door Gertrude halted and turned to the still figure at the bookcase. "Madame Caron, you--you were talking to him, " she said, appealingly, "you did not suspect, either?" "I did not suspect, " answered Judithe, quietly, and then they wentout, leaving her alone, staring after them and then at the chair, where but a few minutes ago he had been seated, full of a life asvindictive as her own, if not so strong; and now--had she murderedhim? She glanced at the mirror back of the writing desk, and saw thatshe was white and strange looking; she rubbed her hands togetherbecause they were so suddenly cold. She heard some one halt at thedoor, and she turned again to the book-case lest whoever enteredshould be shocked at her face. It was Evilena who peered in wistfully in search of some one notoppressed by woe. "Kenneth's last day home, " she lamented, "and such a celebration ofit; isn't it perfectly awful? Just as if Captain Monroe and the stormhad not brought us distress enough! Of course, " she added, contritely, "it's unfeeling of me to take that view of it, and I don't expect youto sympathize with me. " There was a pause in which she felt herselfcondemned. "And the house all lit up as for a party; oh, dear; it willall be solemn as a grave now in spite of the lights, and our prettydresses; well, I think I'll take a book into the sitting room. I couldnot possibly read in here, " and she cast a shrinking glance towardsthe big chair. "Is that not Romeo and Juliet under your hand? Thatwill do, please. " Judithe took down the volume, turned the leaves rapidly, and smiled. "You will find the balcony scene on the tenth page, " she remarked. And then they both laughed, and Evilena beat a retreat lest some ofthe others should enter and catch her laughing when the rest of thehousehold were doleful, and she simply could not be doleful overMatthew Loring; she was only sorry Kenneth's day was spoiled. The little episode, slight as it was, broke in on the unpleasantfancies of Judithe, and substituted a new element. She closed theglass doors and turned towards the window, quite herself again. She stepped between the curtains and looked out on the driving storm, trying to peer through the grey sheets of falling rain. The guard, then, according to Miss Loring, had not yet arrived, after all, andthe others, the Federals, had a chance of being first on the field;oh, why--why did they not hurry? The pelting of the rain on the window prevented her from hearing theentrance of Colonel McVeigh and the Judge, while the curtain hid hereffectually; it was not until she turned to cross the room into thehall that she was aware of the two men beside the table, each withdocuments and papers of various sorts, which they were arranging. TheJudge held one over which he hesitated; looking at the younger manthoughtfully, and finally he said: "The rest are all right, Kenneth; it was not for those I wanted to seeyou alone, but for this. I could not have it come under your mother'snotice, and the settlement has already been delayed too long, but yourabsence, first abroad, then direct to the frontier, and then our ownwar, and Mr. Loring's illness--" He was rambling along inconsequently; McVeigh glanced at him, questioningly; it was so rare a thing to see the Judge ill at easeover any legal transaction, but he plainly was, now; and when hisclient reached over and took the paper from his hand he surrendered itand broke off abruptly his rambling explanation. McVeigh unfolded the paper and glanced at it with an incredulousfrown. "What is the meaning of this agreement to purchase a girl of color, aged twelve, named Rhoda Larue? We have bought no colored people fromthe Lorings, nor from any one else. " "The girl was contracted for without your knowledge, my boy, beforeyour majority, in fact; though she is mentioned there as a girl ofcolor she was to all appearances perfectly white, the daughter of anoctaroon, and also the daughter of Tom Loring. " The woman back of the curtain was listening now with every sensealert, never for one instant had it occurred to her that KennethMcVeigh did not know! How she listened for his next words! "And why should a white girl like that be bought for the McVeighplantation?" There was a pause; then Clarkson laid down the other papers, and facedhim, frankly: "Kenneth, my boy, she was never intended for the McVeigh plantation, but was contracted for, educated, given certain accomplishments thatshe might be a desirable personal property of yours when you weretwenty. " McVeigh was on his feet in an instant, his blue eyes flaming. "And who arranged this affair?--not--my father?" "No. " "Thank God for that! Go on, who was accountable?" "Your guardian, Matthew Loring. He explains that he made thearrangement, having in mind the social entanglement of boys within ourown knowledge, who have rushed into unequal marriages, or--orassociations equally deplorable with scheming women who are alertwhere moneyed youth is concerned. Mr. Loring, as your guardian, determined to forestall such complications in your case. From abusiness point of view he did not think it a bad investment, since, ifyou for any reason, objected to this arrangement, a girl so welleducated, even accomplished, could be disposed of at a profit. " McVeigh was walking up and down the room. "So!" he said, bitterly, "that was Matthew Loring's amiable littlearrangement. That girl, then, belonged not to his estate, but toGertrude's. He was her guardian as well as mine; he would have givenme the elder sister as a wife, and the younger one as a slave. What acurse the man is! It is for such hellish deeds that every Southerneroutside of his own lands is forced to defend slavery against heavyodds. The outsiders never stop to consider that there is not one manout of a thousand among us who would use his power as this man hasused it in this case; the many are condemned for the sins of the few!Go on; what became of the girl?" "She was, in accordance with this agreement, sent to a first-classschool, from which she disappeared--escaped, and never was foundagain. The money advanced from your estate for her education is, therefore, to be repaid you, with the interest to date; you, ofcourse, must not lose the money, since Loring has failed to keep hispart of the contract. " "Good God!" muttered McVeigh, continuing his restless walk; "it seemsincredible, damnable! Think of it!--a girl with the blood, the brain, the education of a white woman, and bought in my name! I will havenothing--nothing to do with such cursed traffic!" Neither of them heard the smothered sobs of the woman kneeling thereback of that curtain; all the world had been changed for her by hiswords. She did not hear the finale of their conversation, only the confusedmurmur of their voices came to her; then, after a little, there wasthe closing of a door, and Colonel McVeigh was alone. He was seated in the big chair where Matthew Loring had received thestroke which meant death. The hammock was still beside it, and sheknelt there, touching his arm, timidly. He had not heard her approach, but at her touch he turned from thepapers. "Well, my sweetheart, what is it?" he said, and with averted face shewhispered: "Only that--I love you!--no, " as he bent towards her, "don't kiss me!I never knew--I never guessed. " "Never guessed that you loved me?" he asked, regarding her with aquizzical smile. "Now, I guessed it all the time, even though you didrun away from me. " "No, no, it is not that!" and she moved away, out of the reach of hiscaressing hands. "But I was there, by the window; I heard all thatstory. I had heard it long ago, and I thought you were to blame. Ijudged you--condemned you! Now I see how wrong I was--wrong in everyway--in every way. I have wronged you--_you_! Oh, how I have wrongedyou!" she whispered, under her breath, as she remembered the men shelooked for, had sent for--the men who were to take him away aprisoner! "Nonsense, dear!" and he clasped her hands and smiled at herreassuringly. "You are over-wrought by all the excitement here sinceyesterday; you are nervous and remorseful over a trifle; you could notwrong me in any way; if you did, I forgive you. " "No, " she said, shaking her head and gazing at him with eyes more sadthan he had ever seen them; "no, you would not forgive me if you knew;you never will forgive me when you do know. And--I must tell you--tellyou everything--tell you now--" "No, not now, Judithe, " he said, as he heard Masterson's voice in thehall. "We can't be alone now. Later you shall tell me all your sinsagainst me. " He was walking with her to the door and looking down ather with all his heart in his eyes; his tenderness made her sorrowsall the more terrible, and as he bent to kiss her she shrunk fromhim. "No, not until I tell you all, " she said again, then as his handstouched hers she suddenly pressed them to her lips, her eyes, hercheek; "and whatever you think of me then, when you do hear all, Iwant you to know that I love you, I love you, I _love_ you!" Then the door closed behind her and he was standing there with apuzzled frown between his eyes when Masterson entered. Her intenseagitation, the passion in her words and her eyes!--He felt inclined tofollow and end the mystery of it at once, but Masterson's voicestopped him. "I've been trying all morning to have a talk, Colonel, " he said, carefully closing the door and glancing about. "There have been somenew developments in Monroe's case, in fact there have been so manythat I have put in the time while waiting for you, by writing downevery particle of new testimony in the affair. " He took from hispocket some written pages and laid them on the table, and beside thema small oval frame. "They are for your inspection, Colonel. I have noopinion I care to express on the matter. I have only written down MissLoring's statements, and the picture speaks for itself. " McVeigh stared at him. "What do you mean by Miss Loring's statement?--and what is this?" He had lifted the little frame, and looked at Masterson, who hadresolutely closed his lips and shook his head. He meant that McVeighshould see for himself. The cover flew back as he touched the spring, and a girl's face, dark, bright, looked out at him. It was delicately tinted and the work waswell done. He had a curious shock as the eye met his. There wassomething so familiar in the poise of the head and the faint smilelurking at the corner of the mouth. There was no mistaking the likeness; it looked as Judithe mightpossibly have looked at seventeen. He had never seen her with thatchildish, care-free light of happiness in her eyes; she had alwaysbeen thoughtful beyond her years, but in this picture-- "Where did you get this?" he asked, and his face grew stern for aninstant, as Masterson replied: "In Captain Monroe's pocket. " He opened his lips to speak, but Masterson pointed to the paper. "It is all written there, Colonel; I really prefer you should readthat report first, and then question me if you care to. I have writteneach thing as it occurred. You will see Miss Loring has also signedher name to it, preferring you would accept that rather than be calledupon for a personal account. Your mother is, of course, ignorant ofall this--" McVeigh seemed scarcely to hear his words. _Her_ voice was yetsounding in his ears; her remorseful repetition, "You will neverforgive me when you do know!"--was this what she meant? He laid down the picture and picked up the papers. Masterson seatedhimself at the other side of the room with his back to him, andwaited. There was the rustle of paper as McVeigh laid one page after anotheron the table. After a little the rustle ceased. Masterson lookedaround. The Colonel had finished with the report and was againstudying the picture. "Well?" said Masterson. "I cannot think this evidence at all conclusive. " There was a pauseand then he added, "but the situation is such that every unusual thingrelating to this matter must, of course, be investigated. I shouldlike to see Margeret and Captain Monroe here; later I may questionMadame Caron. " His voice was very quiet and steady, but he scarcely lifted his eyesfrom the picture; something about it puzzled him; the longer he lookedat it the less striking was the likeness--the character of Judithe'sface, now, was so different. He was still holding it at arm's length on the table when Margeretnoiselessly entered the room. She came back of him and halted besidethe table; her eyes were also on the picture, and a smotheredexclamation made him aware of her presence. He closed the frame andpicked up the report Masterson had given him. "Margeret, " he said, looking at her, curiously, "have you seen MadameCaron today?" "Yes, Colonel McVeigh;" she showed no surprise at the question, onlylooked straight ahead of her, with those solemn, dark eyes. Heremembered the story of her madness years ago, and supposed that wasaccountable for the strange, colorless, passive manner. "Did she speak to you?" "No, sir. " Judithe opened the door and looked in; seeing that McVeigh wasapparently occupied, and not alone, she was about to retire when hebegged her to remain for a few minutes. He avoided her questioningeyes, and offered her a chair, with that conventional courtesyreserved for strangers. She noted the papers in his hand, and the oddtones in which he spoke; she was, after all, debarred from confessing;she was to be accused! "A slight mystery is abroad here, and you appear to be the victim ofit, Madame, " he said, without looking at her. "Margeret, last nightwhen Miss Loring sent you into the corridor just before the shot wasfired, did you see any of the ladies or servants of the house?" "No, sir. " There was not the slightest hesitation in the reply, but Juditheturned her eyes on the woman with unusual interest. Colonel McVeighconsulted his notes. "Miss Loring distinctively heard the rustle of a woman's dress as herdoor opened; did you hear that?" "No, sir. " "You saw no one and heard no one?" "No one. " There was a pause, during which he regarded the woman very sharply. Judithe arose. "Only your sister or myself could have been in that corridor withoutpassing Miss Loring's door; is Miss Loring suspicious of us?--MissLoring!"--and her tone was beyond her control, indignant; of allothers, Miss Loring! "Margeret, whatever you saw, whatever you heardin that corridor, you must tell Colonel McVeigh--tell him!" Margeret turned a calm glance towards her for a moment, and quietlysaid, "I have told him, Madame Caron; there was no one in thecorridor. " "Very well; that is all I wanted to know. " His words were intended fordismissal, but she only bent her head and walked back to the window, as Masterson entered with Monroe. The latter bowed to Judithe withmore than usual ceremony, but did not speak. Then he turned anonchalant glance towards McVeigh, and waited. The Colonel lookedsteadily at Judithe as he said: "Captain Monroe, did you know Madame Caron before you met her in myhouse? You do not answer! Madame Caron, may I ask you if you knewCaptain Monroe previous to yesterday?" "Quite well, " she replied, graciously; there was almost an air ofbravado in her glance. She had meant to tell him all; had begged himto listen, but since he preferred to question her before these men, and at the probable suggestion of Miss Loring--well! Masterson drew a breath of relief as she spoke. His Colonel must nowexonerate him of any unfounded suspicions; but Monroe regarded herwith somber, disapproving eyes. "Then, " and his tone chilled her; it has in it such a suggestion ofwhat justice he would mete out to her when he knew all; "then I am, under the circumstances, obliged to ask why you acknowledged theintroduction given by Miss Loring?" "Oh, for the blunder of that I was accountable, Monsieur, " and shesmiled at him, frankly, the combative spirit fully awake, now, sincehe chose to question her--_her_!--before the others, "I should haveexplained, perhaps--I believe I meant to, but there was conversation, and I probably forgot. " "I see! You forgot to explain, and Captain Monroe forgot you wereacquainted when he was questioned, just now. " "Captain Monroe could not possibly forget the honor of suchacquaintance, " retorted Monroe; "he only refused to answer. " The two men met each other's eyes for an instant--a glance like thecrossing of swords. Then McVeigh said: "Where did you get the picture found on your person last night?" "Stole it, " said Monroe, calmly, and McVeigh flushed in quick angerat the evident lie and the insolence of it; he was lying then toshield this woman who stood between them--to shield her from herhusband. "Madame Caron, " and she had never before heard him speak in that tone;"did you ever give Captain Monroe a picture of yourself?" "Never!" she said, wonderingly. Margeret had taken a step forward andstood irresolutely as though about to speak; she was very pale, andMonroe knew in an instant who she was--not by the picture, but fromPluto's story last night. The terror in her eyes touched him, and asMcVeigh lifted the picture from the table, he spoke. "Colonel McVeigh, I will ask you to study that picture carefullybefore you take for granted that it is the face of any one you know, "he said, quietly; "that picture was made probably twenty years ago. " "And the woman?" "The woman is dead--died long ago. " Margeret's eyes closed for aninstant, but none of them noticed her. Judithe regarded Monroe, questioningly, and then turned to McVeigh: "May I not see this picture you speak of, since--" But Monroe in two strides was beside the table where it lay. "Colonel McVeigh, even a prisoner of war should be granted someconsideration, and all I ask of you is to show the article in questionto no one without first granting me a private interview. " Again the eyes of the men met and the sincerity, the appeal of Monroeimpressed McVeigh; something might be gained by conceding therequest--something lost by refusing it, and he slipped the case intohis pocket without even looking at Judithe, or noticing her question. But Monroe looked at her, and noted the quick resentment at hisspeech. "Pardon, Madame, " he said, gently; "my only excuse is that there is alady in the question. " "A lady who is no longer living?" she asked, mockingly. She waspuzzled over the affair of the picture, puzzled at the effect it hadon McVeigh. In some way he was jealous concerning it--jealous, howabsurd, when she adored him! Monroe only looked at her, but did not reply to the sceptical query. Gertrude Loring came to the door just then and spoke to McVeigh, whowent to meet her. She wanted him to go at once to her uncle. He wastrying so hard to speak; they thought he was endeavoring to say"Ken--Ken!" It was the only tangible thing they could distinguish, andhe watched the door continually as though for someone's entrance. McVeigh assured her he would go directly, but she begged him topostpone all the other business--anything! and to come with her atonce; he might be dying, he looked like it, and there certainly was_some_ one whom he wanted; therefore-- He turned with a semi-apologetic manner to the others in the room. "I shall return presently, and will then continue the investigation, "he said, addressing Masterson; "pending such action Captain Monroe canremain here. " Then he closed the door and followed Gertrude. Judithe arose at that calm ignoring of herself and moved to thetable. She guessed what it was the dying man was trying to tellKenneth--well, she would tell him first! Pen and paper were there and she commenced to write, interruptingherself to turn to Masterson, who was looking out at the storm. "Is there any objection to Captain Monroe holding converse withother--guests in the house?" she asked, with a little ironical smile. Masterson hesitated, and then said: "I do not think a privateinterview could be allowed, but--" "A private interview is not necessary, " she said, coolly. "You canremain where you are. Margeret, also, can remain. " She wrote a line ortwo, and then spoke without looking up, "Will you be so kind, CaptainMonroe, as to come over to the table?" "At your service, my lady. " He did so, and remained standing there, with his hands clasped behindhim, a curious light of expectancy in his eyes. "You have endured everything but death for me since last night, " shesaid, looking up at him. She spoke so low Masterson could not hear itabove the beat of the rain on the window. But he could see the slightbend of Monroe's head and the smile with which he said: "Well--since it was for you!" "Oh, do not jest now, and do not think I shall allow it to go on, " shesaid, appealingly. "I have been waiting for help, but I shall wait nolonger;" she pointed to the paper on the table, "Colonel McVeigh willhave a written statement of who did the work just as soon as I canwrite it, and you shall be freed. " "Take care!" he said, warningly; "an avowal now might only incriminateyou--not free me. There are complications you can't be told--" "But I must be told!" she interrupted. "What is there concerning mewhich you both conspire to hide? He shall free you, no matter what theresult is to me; did you fancy I should let you go away undersuspicion? But, that picture! You must make that clear to me. Listen, I will confess to you, too! I have wronged him--Colonel McVeigh--ithas been all a mistake. I can never atone, but"--and her voice sanklower, "it was something about that picture made him angry just now, the thought I had given you some picture. I--I can't have him thinkthat--not that you are my lover. " "Suppose it were so--would that add to the wrongs you speak of?" Hisvoice was almost tender in its gentleness, and his face had a strangeexpression, as she said: "Yes, it would, Captain Jack. " "You mean, then--to marry him?" Something in the tenseness of his tones, the strange look of anxietyin his eyes, decided her answer. "I mean that I have married him. " She spoke so softly it was almost a whisper, but if it had beentrumpet-like he could not have looked more astonished. His face grewwhite, and he took a step backward from her. Masterson, who noticedthe movement, walked down to the desk, where he could hear. Margeretwas nearer to them than he. All he heard was Madame Caron asking ifCaptain Monroe would not now agree that she should see the picturesince it was necessary to defend herself. But Monroe had gone back to his chair, where he sat looking at herthoughtfully, and looking at Margeret, also, who had remained near thedoor, and gave no sign of having heard their words--had she? "No, Madame Caron, " he said, quietly, "if there is any evidence in myfavor you can communicate to Colonel McVeigh, I shall be your debtor, but the picture is altogether a personal affair of my own. I will, ifI can, prevent it from being used in this case at all, out ofconsideration for the lady whom I mentioned before. " CHAPTER XXX. Kenneth McVeigh walked the floor of his own room, with the bitterestthoughts of his life for company. Loyal gentleman that he was, he wasappalled at the turn affairs had taken. It had cost him a struggle togive up faith in the man he had known and liked--but all that was asnothing compared to the struggle in which his own love fought againsthim. In that room where death apparently stood on the threshold, and thedying man had followed him about the room with most terrible, appealing eyes, he had heard but few of the words spoken--all hisheart and brain were afire with the scene he had just left; that, andthe others preceding it! Every word or glance he had noticed betweenMonroe and the woman he loved returned to him! Trifles light as airbefore, now overwhelmed him with horrible suggestions; and herpleading for him that morning--all the little artifices, the pretendedlightness with which she asked a first favor on her weddingmorning--their wedding morning! for whatever she was or was not, shewas, at least, his wife! That fact must be taken into consideration, he could not set it aside;her disgrace meant his disgrace--God! was that why she had consentedto the hurried marriage?--to shield herself under his name, and toinfluence his favor for her lover? The spirit of murder leaped in his heart as he thought of it! Heheard Gertrude send to the library for Margeret, and he sent word toMasterson he was detained and would continue the investigation later. When Pluto returned, after delivering the message, he inquired ifMadame Caron was yet in the library, and Pluto informed him MadameCaron had gone to her room some time ago; no one was in the librarynow, the gentleman had gone back to the cottage. He meant to see her alone before speaking again with Monroe, to knowthe worst, whatever it was, and then-- He used a magnifying glass to study the little picture; he took itfrom the frame and examined the frame itself. The statement of Monroeas to its age seemed verified. Certain things in the face werestrange, but certain other things were wonderfully like Judithe as ahappy, care-free girl--had she ever been such a girl? The chance that, after all, the picture was not hers gave him a suddenhope that the other things, purely circumstantial, might also diminishon closer examination; the picture had, to him, been the strongestevidence against her; a jealous fury had taken possession of him atthe sight of it; he was conscious that his personal feelings unfittedhim for the judicial position forced upon him, and that he mustsomehow conquer them before continuing any examination. An hour had passed; he had decided the picture was not that of hiswife, but if Monroe were not her lover, why did he treasure so alikeness resembling her? And if she were not in love with him, whyignore their former acquaintance, and why intercede for him sopersistently? All those thoughts walked beside him as he strode up and down theroom, and beyond them all was the glory of her eyes and theremembrance of her words: _"Whatever you think of me when you knowall, I want you to know that I love you--I love you!"_ They were the words he had waited for through long days and nights;they had come to him at last, and after all-- A knock sounded on the door and Pluto entered with a large sealedenvelope on which his name was written. "From Madame Caron, sah; she done tole me to put it in yo' own han', "he said. When alone again he opened the envelope. Several papers were in it. The first he unfolded was addressed to his wife and the signature wasthat of a statesman high in the confidence of the Northern people. Itwas a letter of gratitude to her for confidential work accomplishedwithin the Confederate lines; it was most extreme in commendation, andleft no doubt as to the consideration shown her by the mostdistinguished of the Federal leaders. It was dated six months before, showing that her friendship for his enemies was not a matter of days, but months. There was one newly written page in her own writing. He put that asideto look at last of all, then locked the door and resumed the readingof the others. And the woman to whom they were written moved restlessly from room toroom, watching the storm and replying now and then to the disconsolateremarks of Evilena, who was doleful over the fact that everybody wastoo much occupied for conversation. Kenneth had shut himself upentirely, and all the others seemed to be in attendance on Mr. Loring. Captain Masterson was in and out, busy about his own affairs, and notminding the rain a particle, and she was full of questions concerningCaptain Monroe, and why he had paid the brief visit to the library. Judithe replied at random, scarcely hearing her chatter, andlistening, listening each instant for his step or voice on the stair. While she stood there, looking out at the low, dark clouds, a stepsounded in the hall and she turned quickly; it was only Pluto;ordinarily she would not have noticed him especially, but his eyeswere directed to her in so peculiar a manner that she gave him asecond glance, and perceived that he carried a book she had left on atable in her own room. "Look like I can't noway find right shelf fo' this book, " he said, with some hesitation. "I boun' to ax yo' to show me whah it b'longs. " She was about to do so, but when the door of the bookcase opened, hehanded her the book instead of placing it where she directed. "Maybe yo' put it in thah fo' me, " he suggested. She looked at him, remembering she had told Pierson he could betrusted, and took the book without a word. Evilena was absorbed inJuliet's woes, and did not look up. Pluto muttered a "thank yo', " and disappeared along the hall. She took the book into the alcove before opening it, and found therewhat she had expected--a slip of paper with some pencilled marks. Itwas a cipher, from which she read, _"All is right; we follow close onthis by another road. Be ready. Lincoln"_--she sank on her knees asshe read the rest--_"Lincoln has issued the proclamation ofemancipation!"_ It was Margeret who found her there a few minutes later. She was stillkneeling by the window, her face covered by her hands. "You likely to catch cold down there, Madame, " said the soft voice. "Isaw you come in here a good while ago, an' I thought I'd come see if Icould serve you some way. " Judithe accepted the proffered hand and rose to her feet. For aninstant Margeret's arms had half enfolded her, and the soft colorswept into the woman's face. Judithe looked at her kindly and said: "You have already tried to serve me today, Margeret; I've beenthinking of it since, and I wonder why?" "Any of the folks here would be proud to serve you, Madame Caron, "said the woman, lapsing again into calm reticence. Judithe looked at her and wondered what would become of her and themany like her, now that freedom was declared for the slaves. She couldnot understand why she had denied seeing her in the corridor, for theyhad met there, almost touched! Perhaps she was some special friend ofPluto's, and because of that purchase of the child-- "I leave tomorrow for Savannah, " said Judithe, kindly. "Come to myroom this evening, and if there is anything I can do for you--" Margeret's hands were clasped tightly at the question, and thosestrange, haunting eyes of hers seemed to reach the girl's soul. "There is one thing, " she half whispered, "not now, maybe, notright away! But you've bought Loringwood, and I--I lived there toomany years to be satisfied to live away from it. They--MissGertrude--wouldn't ask much for me now, and--" "I see, " and Judithe wished she could tell her that there would neverbe buying or selling of her again--that the law of the land haddeclared her free! "I promise you, Loringwood shall be your home someday, if you wish. " "God forever bless you!" whispered Margeret, and then she pushed asidethe curtains and went through the library and up the stairs, andJudithe watched her, thoughtfully wondering why any slave should clingto a home where Matthew Loring's will had been law. Was it true thatcertain slavish natures in women--whether of Caucasian or Africanblood--loved best the men who were tyrants? Was it a relic ofinherited tendencies when all women of whatever complexion were butslaves to their masters--called husbands? But something in the delicate, sad face of Margeret gave silentnegative to the question. Whatever the affection centered inLoringwood, she could not believe it in any way low or unworthy. As she passed along the upper hall Pluto was on the landing. "Any visitors today through all this storm?" she asked, carelessly. "No out an' out company, " he said, glancing around. "A boy from theHarris plantation did stop in out o' the rain, jest now. He got thelend of a coat, an' left his wet one, that how--" He looked anxiously at the slip of paper yet in her fingers. Shesmiled and entered her own room, where everything was prepared for herjourney the following day. She glanced about grimly and wondered wherethat journey would end--it depended so much on the temper of the manwho was now reading the evidence against her--the proof absolute thatshe was the Federal agent sought for vainly by the Confederateauthorities. She had told him nothing of the motive prompting her tothe work--it had been merely a plain statement of work accomplished. Her door was left ajar and she listened nervously for his step, hisvoice. It seemed hours since she had sent him the message--the timehad really not been long except in her imagination. And the littleslip of paper just received held a threat directed towards him! In anhour, at most, the men she had sent for would be there; she had laidthe plan for his ruin, and now was wild to think she could nowayssave him! If she had dared to go to him, plead with him to leave atonce, persuade him through his love for her--but it seemed ages toolate for that! And she could only await his summons, which sheexpected every moment; she could not even conjecture what he meant todo. * * * * * Neither could Captain Masterson, who stood in McVeigh's room, staringincredulously at his superior officer. "Colonel, are you serious in this matter? You actually mean to letCaptain Monroe go free?" "Absolutely free, " said McVeigh, who was writing an order, andcontinued writing without looking up. "I understand your surprise, butwe arrested an innocent man. " "I don't mean to question your judgment, Colonel, but the evidence--" "The evidence was circumstantial. That evidence has been refuted byfacts not to be ignored. " Masterson looked at him inquiringly, a lookcomprehended by McVeigh, who touched the bell for Pluto. "I must have time to consider before I decide what to do with thosefacts, " he continued. "I shall know tonight. " "And in the meantime what are we to do with the squad from down theriver?" asked Masterson, grimly. "They have just arrived to take himfor court martial; they are waiting your orders. " "I will have their instructions ready in an hour. " "They bring the report of some definite action on the slavery questionby the Federal authorities, " remarked Masterson, with a smile ofderision. "Lincoln has proclaimed freedom for our slaves, the order isto go into effect the first of the year, unless we promise to be good, lay down our arms, and enter the Union. " "The first of the year is three months away, plenty of time to thinkit over;" he locked his desk and arose. "Excuse me now, Phil, " hesaid, kindly, "I must go down and speak with Captain Monroe. " Hepaused at the door, and Masterson noticed that his face was very paleand his lips had a strange, set expression. Whatever task he hadbefore him was not easy to face! "You might help me in this, " headded, "by telling my mother we must make what amends we can tohim--if any amends are possible for such indignities. " He went slowly down the stairs and entered the library. Monroe waswiping the rain from his coat collar and holding a dripping hat atarm's length. "Since you insist on my afternoon calls, Colonel McVeigh, I wish youwould arrange them with some regard to the elements, " he remarked. "Iwas at least dry, and safe, where I was. " But there was no answering light in McVeigh's eyes. He had beenfighting a hard battle with himself, and the end was not yet. "Captain Monroe, it is many hours too late for apologies to you, " hesaid, gravely, "but I do apologize, and--you are at liberty. " "Going to turn me out in a storm like this?" inquired his lateprisoner, but McVeigh held out his hand. "Not so long as you will honor my house by remaining, " and Monroe, after one searching glance, took the offered hand in silence. McVeigh tried to speak, but turned and walked across to the window. After a moment he came back. "I know, now, you could have cleared yourself by speaking, " he said;"yes, I know all, " as Monroe looked at him questioningly. "I know youhave borne disgrace and risked death for a chivalrous instinct. MayI"--he hesitated as he realized he was now asking a favor of the manhe had insulted--"may I ask that you remain silent to all but me, andthat you pardon the injustice done you? I did not know--" "Oh, the silence is understood, " said Monroe, "and as for the rest--wewill forget it; the evidence was enough to hang a man these excitingtimes. " "And you ran the risk? Captain, you may wonder that I ask yoursilence, but you talked with her here; you probably know that to meshe is--" Monroe raised his hand in protest. "I don't know anything, Colonel. I heard you were a benedict, but itmay be only hearsay; I was not a witness; if I had been you would nothave found me a silent one! But it is too late now, and we had betternot talk about it, " he said, anxious to get away from the strained, unhappy eyes of the man he has always known as the most care-free ofcadets. "With your permission I will pay my respects to your sister, whom I noticed across the hall, but in the meantime, I don't know athing!" As he crossed the hall Gertrude Loring descended the stairs andpaused, looking after him wonderingly, and then turned into thelibrary. Colonel McVeigh was seated at the table again, his faceburied in his hands. "Kenneth!" He raised his head, and she hesitated, staring at him. "Kenneth, youare ill; you--" "No; it is really nothing, " he said, as he rose, "I am a trifle tired, I believe; absurd, isn't it? and--and very busy just now, so--" "Oh, I shan't detain you a moment, " she said, hastily, "but I sawCaptain Monroe in the hall, and I was so amazed when Phil told us youhad released him. " "I knew you would be, but he is an innocent man, and his arrest wasall a mistake. Pray, tell mother for me that I have apologized toCaptain Monroe, and he is to be our guest until tomorrow. I am sureshe will be pleased to hear it. " "Oh, yes, of course, " agreed Gertrude, "but Kenneth, the guard hasarrived, and who will they take in his place for court-martial?" She spoke lightly, but there was a subtle meaning back of her words. He felt it, and met her gaze with a sombre smile. "Perhaps myself, " he answered, quietly. "Oh, Kenneth!" "There, there!" he said, reassuringly; "don't worry about the future, what is, is enough for today, little girl. " He had opened the door for her as though anxious to be alone; sheunderstood, and was almost in the hall when the other door into thelibrary opened, and glancing over her shoulder she saw Judithestanding there gazing after her, with a peculiar look. She glanced up at Kenneth McVeigh, and saw his face suddenly growwhite, and stern; then the door closed on her, and those two wereleft alone together. She stood outside the door for a full minute, amazed at the strange look in his eyes, and in hers, as they facedeach other, and as she moved away she wondered at the silencethere--neither of them had spoken. They looked at each other as the door closed, a world of appeal in hereyes, but there was no response in his; a few hours ago she meant allof life to him--and now!-- With a quick sigh she turned and crossed to the window; drawing backthe curtain she looked out, but all the heavens seemed weeping withsome endless woe. The light of the lamp was better, and she drew thecurtains close, and faced him again. "You have read--all?" He bent his head in assent. "And Captain Monroe?" "Captain Monroe is at liberty. I have accepted your confession, andacted upon it. " "You accept that part of my letter, but not my other request, " shesaid, despairingly. "I begged that you make some excuse and leave foryour command at once--today--do you refuse to heed that?" "I do, " he said, coldly. "Is it on my account?" she demanded; "if so, put me under arrest; sendme to one of the forts; do anything to assure yourself of my inabilityto work against your cause, though I promise you I never shall again. Oh, I know you do not trust me, and I shan't ask you to; I only askyou to send me anywhere you like, if you will only start for yourcommand at once; for your own sake I beg you; for your own sake youmust go!" All of pleading was in her eyes and voice; her hands were clasped inthe intensity of her anxiety. But he only shook his head as he lookeddown in the beautiful, beseeching face. "For your sake I shall remain, " he said, coldly. "Kenneth!" "Your anxiety that I leave shows that the plots you confessed are notthe only ones you are aware of, " he said, controlling his voice withan effort, and speaking quietly. "You are my wife; for the plots ofthe future I must take the responsibility, prevent them if I can;shield you if I cannot. " "No, no!" and she clasped his arm, pleadingly; "believe me, Kenneth, there will be no more plots, not after today--" "Ah!" and he drew back from her touch; "not after today! then there_is_ some further use you have for my house as a rendezvous? Do yousuppose I will go at once and leave my mother and sister to the dangerof your intrigues?" "No! there shall be no danger for any one if you will only go, " shepromised, wildly; "Kenneth, it is you I want to save; it is the lastthing I shall ever ask of you. Go, go! no more harm shall come to yourpeople, I promise you, I--" "You promise!" and he turned on her with a fury from which she shrank. "The promise of a woman who allowed a loyal friend to suffer disgracefor her fault!--the promise of one who has abused the affection andhospitality of the women you assure protection for! A spy! A traitor!_You_, the woman I worshipped! God! What cursed fancy led you to risklife, love, honor, everything worth having, for a fanatical fightagainst one of two political factions?" He dropped into a chair and buried his face in his hands. As he did soa handkerchief in his pocket caught in the fastening of his cuff, ashe let his hand fall the 'kerchief was dragged from the pocket, andwith it the little oval frame over which he had been jealous for anhour, and concerning which he had not yet had an explanation. It rolled towards her, and with a sudden movement she caught it, andthe next instant the dark, girlish face lay uncovered in her hand. She uttered a low cry, and then something of strength seemed to cometo her as she looked at it. Her eyes dilated, and she drew a longbreath, as she turned and faced him again with both hands clasped overher bosom, and the open picture pressed there. All the tears andpleading were gone from her face and voice, as she answered: "Because to that political question there is a background, shadowed, shameful, awful! Through the shadows of it one can hear the clang ofchains; can see the dumb misery of fettered women packed in the holdsof your slave ships, carried in chains to the land of your free! Fromthe day the first slave was burned at the stake on Manhattan Island byyour Christian forefathers, until now, when they are meeting your menin battle, fighting you to the death, there is an unwritten recordthat is full of horror, generations of dumb servitude! Did you thinkthey would keep silence forever?" He arose from the chair, staring at her in amazement; those argumentswere so foreign to all he had known of the dainty woman, patrician, apparently, to her finger tips. How had she ever been led tosympathize with those rabid, mistaken theories of the North? "You have been misled by extravagant lies!" he said, sternly; "abusessuch as you denounce no longer exist; if they ever did it was when thetemper of the times was rude--half savage if you will--when men wererough and harsh with each other, therefore, with their belongings. " "Therefore, with their belongings!" she repeated, bitterly, "and inyour own age all that is changed?" "Certainly. " "Certainly!" she agreed. "Slaves are no longer burned forinsubordination, because masters have grown too wise to burn money!But they have some laws they use now instead of the torch and the whipof those old crude days. From their book of laws they read thecommandment: _'Go you out then, and of the heathen about you, buybondmen and bondmaids that they be servants of your household;'_ andagain it is commanded: _'Servants be obedient unto your masters!'_ Thetorch is no longer needed when those fettered souls are taught Godhas decreed their servitude. God has cursed them before they wereborn, and under that curse they must bend forever!" "You doubt even the religion of my people?" he demanded. "Yes!" "You doubt the divinity of those laws?" "Yes!" "Judithe!" "Yes!" she repeated, a certain dauntless courage in her voice andbearing. She was no longer the girl he had loved and married; she wasa strange, wild, beautiful creature, whose tones he seemed to hear forthe first time. "A thousand times--yes! I doubt any law and every lawshackling liberty of thought and freedom of people! And the poison ofthat accursed system has crept into your own blood until, even to me, you pretend, and deny the infamy that exists today, and of which youare aware!" "Infamy! How dare you use that word?" and his eyes flamed with angerat the accusation, but she raised her hand, and spoke more quietly. "You remember the story you heard here today--the story of your guestand guardian, who sold the white child of his own brother? and the daywhen that was done is not so long past! It is so close that the childis now only a girl of twenty-three, the girl who was educated by herfather's brother that she might prove a more desirable addition toyour bondslaves!" "God in heaven!" he muttered, as he drew back and stared at her. "Yourknowledge of those things, of the girl's age, which _I_ did not know!Where have you gained it all? When you heard so much you must know Iwas not aware of the purchase of the girl, but that does not matternow. Answer my questions! Your words, your manner; what do they mean?What has inspired this fury in you? Answer--I command you!" _"'Servants, be obedient unto your masters!'"_ she quoted, with astrange smile. "My words oppress you, possibly, because so many womenare speaking through my lips, the women who for generations havethought and suffered and been doomed to silence, to bear the childrenof men they hated; to have the most sacred thing of life, mother-love, desecrated, according to the temper of their masters; to dreadbringing into the world even the children of love, lest, whether whiteor black, they prove cattle for the slave market!" "Judithe!" He caught her hand as though to force silence on her by the strengthof his own horror and protest. She closed her eyes for an instant ashe touched her, and then drew away to leave a greater space betweenthem, as she said: "All those women are back of me! I have never lived one hour out ofthe shadow of their presence. Their cause is my cause, and when Iforget them, may God forget me!" "_Your_ cause!--my wife!" he half whispered, as he dropped her hand, and the blue eyes swept her over with a glance of horror. "Who are youthat their cause should be yours?" "Until this morning I was Madame La Marquise de Caron, " she said, making a half mocking inclination of her head; "in the bill of saleyou read today I was named Rhoda Larue, the slave girl who--" "No!" He caught her fiercely by the shoulder, and his face had amurderous look as he bent above her, "don't dare to say it! You aremad with the desire to hurt me because I resent your sympathy with theNorth! But, dear, your madness has made you something more terriblethan you realize! Judithe, for God's sake, never say that wordagain!" "For God's sake, that is, for truth's sake, I am telling you the thingthat is!" He half staggered to the table, and stood there looking at her; hergaze met his own, and all the tragedy of love and death was in thatregard. "_You_!" he said, as though it was impossible to believe the thing heheard. "You--of all women! God!--it is too horrible! What right haveyou to tell me now? I was happy each moment I thought you loved me;even my anger against you was all jealousy! I was willing to forgiveeven the spy work, shield you, trust you, _love_ you--but--now--" He paused with his hand over his eyes as though to shut out the sightof her, she was so beautiful as she stood there--so appealing. Thedark eyes were wells of sadness as she looked at him. She stood as onewaiting judgment and hoping for no mercy. "You have punished me for a thing that was not my fault, " hecontinued. "I destroyed it--the accursed paper, and--" "And by destroying it you gave me back to the Loring estate, " shesaid, quietly. All the passion had burned itself out; she spokewearily and without emotion. "That is, I have become again, theproperty of my half sister, my father's daughter! Are the brutalpossibilities of your social institution so very far in the past?" He could only stare at her; the horror of it was all too sickening, and that man who was dying in the other room had caused it all; he hadmoved them as puppets in the game of life, a malignant Fate, who hadmade all this possible. "Now, will you go?" she asked, pleadingly. "You may trust me now; Ihave told you all. " But he did not seem to hear her; only that one horrible thought ofwhat she was to him beat against his brain and dwarfed every otherconsideration. "And you--married me, knowing this?" "I married you because I knew it, " she said, despairingly. "I thoughtyou and Matthew Loring equally guilty--equally deserving ofpunishment. I fought against my own feelings--my own love for you--" "Love!" "Love--love always! I loved you in Paris, when I thought hate was allyou deserved from me. I waited three years. I told myself it had beenonly a girlish fancy--not love! I pledged myself to work for the unionof these states and against the cause championed by Kenneth McVeighand Matthew Loring; for days and nights, weeks and months, I haveworked for my mother's people and against the two men whose names werealways linked together in my remembrance. The thought became amonomania with me. Well, you know how it is ended! Every plan againstyou became hateful to me from the moment I heard your voice again. Butthe plans had to go on though they were built on my heart. As for themarriage, I meant to write you after I had left the country, and tellyou who you had given your name to. Then"--and all of despair was inher voice--"then I learned the truth too late. I heard your words whenthat paper was given to you here, and I loved you. I realized that Ihad never ceased to love you; that I never should!" "The woman who is my--wife!" he muttered. "Oh, God!--" "No one need ever know that, " she said earnestly. "I will go away, unless you give me over to the authorities as the spy. For the wrong Ihave done you I will make any atonement--any expiation--" "There is no atonement you could make, " he answered, steadily. "Thereis no forgiveness possible. " "I know, " she said, whisperingly, as if afraid to trust her voicealoud, "I know you could never forgive me. I--I do not ask it; only, Kenneth, a few hours ago we promised to love each other always, " hervoice broke for an instant and then she went on, "I shall keep thatpromise wherever I go, and--that is all--I think--" She had paused beside the table, where he sat, with his head buried inhis hands. "I give you back the wedding ring, " she continued, slipping itfrom her finger, but he did not speak or move. She kissed the littlegold circlet and laid it beside him. "I am going now, " she said, steadily as she could; "I ask for no remembrance, no forgiveness;but--have you no word of good-bye for me?--not one? It is forever, Kenneth--_Kenneth_!" Her last word was almost a scream, for a shot had sounded just outsidethe window, and there was the rush of feet on the veranda and thecrash of arms. "Go! Go at once!" she said, grasping his arm. "They will take youprisoner--they will--" "So!" he said, rising and reaching for the sword on the rack near him;"this is one of the plots you did _not_ reveal to me; some of yourFederal friends!" "Oh, I warned you! I begged you to go, " she said, pleadingly; againshe caught his arm as he strode towards the veranda, but he flunghimself loose with an angry exclamation: "Let your friends look to themselves, " he said, grimly. "My own guardis here to receive them today. " As he tore aside the curtains and opened the glass door she flungherself in front of him. On the steps and on the lawn men werestruggling, and shots were being fired. Men were remounting theirhorses in hot haste and a few minutes later were clattering down theroad, leaving one dead stranger at the foot of the steps. But for hispresence it would all have seemed but a tumultuous vision ofgrey-garbed combatants. It was, perhaps, ten minutes later when Kenneth McVeigh re-entered thelibrary. All was vague and confused in his mind as to what hadoccurred there in the curtained alcove. She had flung herself in frontof him with her arms about him as the door opened; there had been twoshots in quick succession, one of them had shattered the glass, andthe other-- He remembered tearing himself from her embrace as she clung to him, and he remembered she had sunk with a moan to the floor; at the timehe thought her attitude and cry had meant only despair at her failureto stop him, but, perhaps-- He found her in the same place; the oval portrait was open in herhand, as though her last look had been given to the pretty mother, whose memory she had cherished, and whose race she had fought for. Margeret was crouched beside her, silent as ever, her dark eyesstrange, unutterable in expression, were fixed on the beautiful face, but the stray bullet had done its work quickly--she had been quitedead when Margeret reached her. * * * * * Monroe told McVeigh the true story of the portrait that night. Thetwo men sat talking until the dawn broke. Delaven was admitted to theconference long enough to hear certain political reasons why themarriage of that morning should continue to remain a secret, and whenthe mistress of Loringwood was laid to rest under the century-oldcedars, it was as Judithe, Marquise de Caron. In settling up the estate of Matthew Loring, who died a few dayslater, speechless to the last, Judge Clarkson had the unpleasant taskof informing Gertrude that for nearly twenty years one of the slavessupposed to belong to her had been legally free. Evidence was foundestablishing the fact that Tom Loring had given freedom to Margeretand her child a few days previous to that last, fatal ride of his. Matthew Loring had evidently disapproved and suppressed theknowledge. Gertrude made slight comment on the affair, convinced as she was thatthe woman was much better off in their household than dependent onherself, and was frankly astonished that Margeret returned at once toLoringwood, and never left it again for the three remaining years ofher life. Gertrude was also surprised at the sudden interest of Kenneth in herformer bondwoman, and when the silent octoroon was found dead besidethe tomb of her master, it was Kenneth McVeigh who arranged that shebe placed near the beautiful stranger who had dwelt among them forawhile. A year after the war ended Gertrude, the last of the once dominantLorings, married an Alabama man, and left Carolina, to the greatregret of Mrs. Judge Clarkson and sweet Evilena Delaven. They felt agrievance against Kenneth for his indifference in the matter, and weredisconsolate for years over his persistent bachelorhood. When he finally did marry, his wife was a pretty little woman, who wasa relative of Jack Monroe, and totally different from either Gertrudeor Judithe Loring. Jack Monroe, who was Major Monroe at the close ofthe war, makes yearly hunting trips to the land of the Salkahatchie, and when twitted concerning his state of single blessedness, declareshe is only postponing matrimony until Delaven's youngest daughtergrows up, but the youngest has been superseded by a younger oneseveral times since he first made the announcement. The monument planned by Judithe has existed for many years; but only afew remember well the builder; she has become a misty memory--part ofa romance the older people tell. She was a noted beauty of France andshe died to save General McVeigh, who was young, handsome, and, it wassaid, her lover. He never after her death was heard to speak her nameand did not marry until twenty years later--what more apt material fora romance? None of them ever heard of her work for the union of thestates. But when the local historians tell of the former grandeur of theLorings, the gay, reckless, daring spirits among them, and end thelist with handsome Tom, there are two veterans, one of the blue andthe other of the grey, who know that the list did not end there, andthat the most brilliant, most daring, most remarkable spirit of themall, was the one of their blood, who was born a slave. THE END. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. STANDARD AND POPULAR BOOKS FOR SALE BY BOOKSELLERS OR WILL BE SENT POSTPAID ON RECEIPT OF PRICE. RAND, McNALLY & CO. , PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK. A NEW NOVEL BY OPIE READ JUDGE ELBRIDGE Cloth, 12mo. $1. 25. SOME LATE PUBLICATIONS. BALDOON. By Le Roy Hooker. A wonderful Canadian romance, which can beappreciated only by being read. Cloth, 12mo. Price, $1. 25. 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