“Yes, they are both here and will rejoice if they can be of any comfort or service to you.  Ah, I hear papa’s voice in the hall, asking for me!” and stepping to the door, she called to him and her husband, “Please come in here,” she said, “Mrs. Carrington wishes to see you both.”

“You here and alone at this late hour, my dear madam!” Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed, taking the old lady’s hand in a cordial grasp, “your courage surprises me.”

“Ah, my good friend, they who have little to lose, need not have much to do with fear,” she answered.  “That was what I told Sophie who would have had me defer my call till to-morrow.”

“My dear madam, you are surely right in thinking that no one would molest you—­a lady whom all classes unite in loving and honoring,” Mr. Travilla said, greeting her with almost filial respect and affection.

She bowed in acknowledgment.  “Do not think for a moment that I have come to upbraid you, gentlemen.  Justice demands that those who break the laws suffer the penalty, and I have nothing to say against it; though the criminal be my own flesh and blood.  But I want to hear all about this sad affair.”

They told her briefly all they knew, she listening with calm though sad demeanor.

“Thank you,” she said when they had finished.  “That George is guilty, I dare hardly doubt, and I am far from upholding him in his wickedness.  As you all know, I was strong for accession, and am no Republican now, but I say perish the cause that can be upheld only by such measures as these.  I would have every member of this wicked, dreadful conspiracy brought to punishment; they are ruining their country; but their deeds are not chargeable upon the secessionists of the war time, as a class.”

“That is certainly true, madam.”

“We are fully convinced of that, Mrs. Carrington,” the gentlemen replied.

She rose to take leave.  Mr. Travilla requested her to delay a little till his horse could be brought to the door, and he would see her home.

“No, no, Travilla,” said Mr. Dinsmore, “Horace and I will do that, if Mrs. Carrington will accept our escort.”

“Many thanks to you both, gentlemen,” she said, “but I assure you I am not in the least afraid; and it would be putting you to unnecessary trouble.”

“On the contrary, my dear madam, it would be a pleasure; and as our horses are already at the door, we need not delay you a moment,” said Mr. Dinsmore.  “It will not take us so very far out of our way, either:  and I should like to have a word with Sophie.”

Upon that Mrs. Carrington gratefully accepted his offer, and the three went away together.

Convinced of his guilt, Mrs. Carrington made no effort to obtain the release of her nephew, but several of his confederates having perjured themselves to prove an alibi in his favor, he was soon at large again.

He showed his face no more at the Oaks or Ion, and upon occasion of an accidental meeting with Travilla or either of the Dinsmores, regarded him with dark, scowling looks, sometimes adding a muttered word or two of anger and defiance.