Mr. Baron weakened.  He had not the relentless will of his wife, who interposed with cutting emphasis, “There is no need of Louise’s knowing anything about it till she is much better, and it would be well for her to learn then, as well as the slaves, that there is still a master and mistress.”

“It may be long before Louise is much better,” Mrs. Whately replied gravely.  “She has been subjected to a strain for which my conscience reproaches me, however it may be with yours.  She is in a very critical state, and seemingly from some recent shock.”

“Can the news Chunk brought have had any such effect?” broke forth Mrs. Baron indignantly—­“news of the death of that Yankee whom she met and treated as a social equal sorely against my will?”

“Lieutenant Scoville dead!” exclaimed Mrs. Whately looking shocked and sad.

“Yes, so Chunk told his granny.”

Mrs. Whately was troubled indeed.  Perhaps there had been much more than she had suspected.  If so, this fact would account for the girl’s extreme prostration.  To bring these tidings might have been one of Chunk’s chief motives in venturing on his brief visit.  Miss Lou might know all about the visit and even have seen Chunk herself.  If this were true, punishment of those who were in a sense her accomplices would be all the more disastrous.  The perplexed matron felt that she must have more time to think and to acquire fuller knowledge of the affair.

“Brother,” she said finally, “you are the guardian of Louise and in authority.  She is now helpless and at present quiet.  If quiet of mind and body can be maintained long enough she will no doubt get well.  In a sense I am now her physician, and I say as Surgeon Ackley said of his patients, she cannot be disturbed.  I positively forbid it.  Dr. Pelton who must soon be here will take the same ground.  Public opinion will support him and me in holding you responsible if you order anything endangering your ward’s life and health at this time.  Mrs. Waldo and her son would be witnesses.  How far the former is acquainted with affairs we do not know.  She watched with Louise all last night.  If you act hastily you may be sorry indeed.  I am trying kindness and conciliation with my people and they are doing better.  I fear your policy is mistaken.  Chunk is gone and beyond punishment.  It is asking much to expect that his grandmother and the girl who loves him after her fashion would give information against him.  It would seem that only the two slaves and Perkins know of this visit.  Affairs are bad enough with you as it is and you can easily make them much worse.  If you must punish for effect, take some stout field hand who is insubordinate or lazy.  At any rate I love Louise and hope some day to call her daughter, and I will not have her life endangered.  That’s all I have to say.”

Mr. Baron’s flame of anger had died out.  His views had not been changed by his harsh experience, but he had been compelled to see that there were times when he could not have his own way.  So he said testily, “Well, well, we’ll have to let the matter rest a while, I suppose.”