The next morning he coolly set forth for the gates, scarcely thinking enough of the adventure to warrant the matter-of-fact “good-byes” that he bestowed upon those who were congregated to see him off.  His heart was sore as he strode rapidly down the drive.  Genevra had not come down to say farewell.

“By heaven,” he muttered, strangely vexed with her, “I fancy she means it.  She’s bent on showing me my place.  But she might have come down and wished me good luck.  That was little enough for her to do.  Ah, well,” he sighed, putting it away from him.

As he turned into the tree-lined avenue near the gate, a slender young woman in a green and white gown arose from a seat in the shade and stepped a pace forward, opening her parasol quite leisurely as he quickened his steps.  His eyes gleamed with the sudden rush of joy that filled his whole being.  She stood there, waiting for him, under the trees.  There was an expression in her face that he had never seen there before.  She was smiling, it is true, but there was something like defiance—­yes, it was the set, strained smile of resolution that greeted his eager exclamation.  Her eyes gleamed brightly and she was breathing as one who has run swiftly.

“You are determined to go down there among those men?” she demanded, the smile suddenly giving way to a look of disapproval.  She ignored his hand.

“Certainly,” he said, after the moment of bewilderment.  “Why not?  I—­I thought you had made up your mind to let me go without a—­a word for good luck.”  She found great difficulty in meeting the wistful look in his eyes.  “You are good to come down here to say good-bye—­and howdy do, for that matter.  We’re almost strangers again.”

“I did not come down to say good-bye,” she said, her lips trembling ever so slightly.

“I don’t understand,” he said.

“I am going with you into the town—­as a witness,” she said, and her face went pale at the thought of it.  He drew back in amazement, staring at her as though he had not heard aright.

“Genevra,” he cried, “you—­you would do that?”

“Why not, Mr. Chase?” She tried to speak calmly, but she was trembling.  After all, she was a slender, helpless girl—­not an Amazon!  “I saw and heard everything.  They won’t believe you unsupported.  They won’t harm me.  They will treat me as they treat you.  I have as much right to be heard against him as you.  If I swear to them that what you say is true they——­”

Her hand was on his arm now, trembling, eager, yet charged with fear at the prospect ahead of her.  He clasped the little hand in his and quickly lifted it to his lips.

“I’m happy again,” he cried.  “It’s all right with me now.”  She withdrew her hand on the instant.

“No, no!  It isn’t that,” she said, her eyes narrowing.  “Don’t misinterpret my coming here to say that I will go.  It isn’t because—­no, it isn’t that!”

He hesitated an instant, looking deep into the bewildered eyes that met his with all the honesty that dwelt in her soul.  He saw that she trusted him to be fair with her.