“Ah, poor boy! how different was his departure from what he had every reason to hope and expect!” replied Mr. Baron.  “I should think your heart would be remorseful, indeed, Louise, when you picture your cousin flying from his kindred and home, alone and sad, tortured meanwhile by thoughts of the fate which has overtaken us.”

“I’m sure, uncle, we are all sitting quietly in the parlor.  That does not seem very dreadful.”

“You little know, young woman, you little realize the cunning depravity—­”

“There now, brother,” interposed Mrs. Whately, “we must not think evil until we see more evidence of it, even in Yankees.  I admit that I am most wonderfully and agreeably disappointed.  The young officer in whose hands we are might have killed my son, but did not.  I must at least be just to such a man.”

“And you know he has been polite to us all, and told us to dismiss our fears,” added Miss Lou demurely.

“It would almost seem, Louise, that you welcomed these invaders.  I am too old and well informed not to know that this suave manner he affects is designed to lull us into a sense of false security.”

At this moment a firm step was heard on the veranda, followed by a rap from the brass knocker.  They knew it was Scoville, and Mr. Baron rose and advanced to the parlor entrance.  He assumed the solemn aspect of one who now must face the exactions and wrongs which he had predicted, and his wife tremblingly followed, to perish at his side if need be.  But the invader barely stepped within the hall and stood uncovered as he said politely, “Mr. Baron, I have now practically made my dispositions for the night.  There is no reason why your domestic routine should not be resumed as usual.  As I said before, I pledge you my word you shall not be disturbed unless we are attacked.  Good-evening, sir.  Good-evening, ladies,” and he bowed and withdrew, leaving the old gentleman speechless in the utter reversal of all that he had declared would take place.  No plundering, no insults, no violence.  On the contrary, even his beloved routine might be resumed.  He turned around to his wife and sister almost gasping, “Is this some deep-laid plot?”

“It certainly must be,” echoed his wife.

Miss Lou turned away quickly and stuffed her handkerchief in her mouth to prevent laughing outright.

Her uncle caught her in the act and was instantly in a rage.

“Shame upon you!” he cried.  “Enemies without and traitors within.”

This charge touched the girl to the quick, and she replied with almost equal anger, “I’m no traitor.  Where has your loyalty to me been to-day?  Look at me, uncle, and fix the fact in your mind, once for all, that I am neither a child nor an idiot.  God has given me a mind and a conscience as truly as to you, and I shall use them.  This Northern officer says we are safe.  I believe it and you will know it in the morning.  Now I simply insist that you and aunt treat me with the respect due to my years and station.  I’ve endured too much to-day to be patient under anything more.  I meant no disrespect to you in laughing, but I cannot help being glad that instead of all sorts of horrible things happening we are treated with simple and even delicate politeness.”