Lewie knew that he was failing; “I think,” said he to Agnes, “that God will call for my spirit before the time comes for man to set it free.  But oh!  Agnes, if I could once more look upon the green earth, and the blue sky, and breathe the pure fresh air; and die free.”

It was after longings for freedom like these, that when Agnes returned to Dr. Rodney’s one evening, (for ever since the trial, at the earnest request of the kind doctor and his wife, she had made their house her home except when with her brother,) she found her cousin Grace, who often came over to pass the night with her, waiting her arrival with tidings in her face.

“Agnes,” said she, “I have heard something to-day which may possibly cast a ray of hope on Lewie’s case yet.”

“What can it be, dear Grace?” asked Agnes.

“Who do you think the new Governor’s wife is, Agnes?”

“I am sure I cannot imagine.”

“Do you remember that strange girl, Ruth Glenn?”

“Certainly.”

“Well, it is she.  Only think how strange!  I have no idea how much influence she has with the Governor; but unless she has changed wonderfully in her feelings, she would do anything in the world to serve you, Agnes, as she ought.”

“Oh, blessings on you, Grace!  I will go; there may be hope in it; and if poor Lewie could only die free; for die he must, the doctor assures me—­perhaps before the flowers bloom.”

“Father will go with you, Agnes.  I have been talking with him about it.”

“Oh, how very, very kind you all are to us!” said Agnes.  “Then, no time must be lost, Grace; and if uncle will go with me, we will start as early as possible in the morning.”

Agnes rose early the next morning, with something like a faint tinge of color in her cheek, lent to it by the excitement of hope; and after visiting her brother, to give some explanation of the cause of her absence, she took her seat in the carriage by her uncle, for they must ride some miles in order to reach the cars.

They reached the Capitol that afternoon; and Agnes, who felt that she had very little time to spare, left the hotel a few moments after their arrival in the city, and, leaning on her uncle’s arm, sought the Governor’s house.  Agnes felt her heart die within her as she ascended the broad flight of marble steps.  Years had passed, and many changes had taken place since she had met Ruth Glenn.  Would she find her again in the Governor’s lady?

Mrs. F——­ was at home, and Mr. Wharton left Agnes at the door, thinking that, on all accounts, the interview had better be private.  “He should return for her in an hour or two,” he said, “when he intended to call upon the Governor, who had once been a class-mate and intimate friend.”

Having merely sent word by the servant that an old friend wished to see Mrs. F——­, Agnes was shown into a large and elegantly-furnished parlor, to await her coming.  In a few moments, she heard a light step descending the stairs, and the rustling of a silk dress, and the Governor’s lady entered the room.