England, with its congenial, aristocratic circles, to a world of chaos.  When the steamer arrived at the wharf, many of the passengers were afraid to go ashore, but she, quiet, cold, silent, hiding the anger that raged in her heart, did not hesitate a moment.  She came of a race that knew not what fear meant.  At the earliest possible moment she and her daughters entered a carriage and were driven up town.  The young girls stared in wonder at the troops and other evidences of a vast disturbance, and when they saw Madison Square filled with cavalry-horses they exclaimed aloud, “O mamma, see!”

“Yes,” said their mother, sternly, “and mark it well.  Even these Northern people will no longer submit to the Lincoln tyranny.  He may win a few brief triumphs, but the day is near when our own princely leaders will dictate law and order everywhere.  The hour has air passed when he will have the South only to fight;” and in her prejudice and ignorance she believed her words to be absolutely infallible.

Strahan met them as they entered, and received but a cold greeting from the lady.

“Where is Willard?” she asked, hastily.

“Mrs. Merwyn, you must prepare yourself for a great shock.  Your son—­”

Her mind was prepared for but one great disaster, and, her self-control at last giving way, she almost shrieked, “What! has he taken arms against the South?”

“Mrs. Merwyn,” replied Strahan, “is that the worst that could happen?”

A sudden and terrible dread smote the proud woman, and she sunk into a chair, while young Estelle Merwyn rushed upon Strahan, and, seizing his hand, faltered in a whisper, “Is—­is—­” but she could proceed no further.

“No; but he soon will be unless reason and affection control your actions and words.  Your family physician is here, Mrs. Merwyn, and I trust you will be guided by his counsel.”

“Send him to me,” gasped the mother.

Dr. Henderson soon came and explained in part what had occurred.

“Oh, those Vosburghs!” exclaimed Mrs. Merwyn, with a gesture of unspeakable revolt at the state of affairs.  “Well,” she added, with a stern face, “it is my place and not a stranger’s to be at my son’s side.”

“Pardon me, madam; you cannot go to your son at all in your present mood.  In an emergency like this a physician is autocrat, and your son’s life hangs by a hair.”

“Who has a better right—­who can do more for a child than a mother?”

“That should be true, but—­” and he hesitated in embarrassment, for a moment, then concluded, firmly:  “Your son is not expecting you, and agitation now might be fatal to him.  There are other reasons which you will soon understand.”

“There is one thing I already understand,—­a nameless stranger is with him, and I am kept away.”

“Miss Vosburgh is not a nameless stranger,” said Strahan; “and she is affianced to your son.”

“O Heaven!  I shall go mad!” the lady groaned, a tempest of conflicting emotions sweeping through her heart.