He laughed. "Then you must know, sweet wife," he answered, as she stood looking down, stirring the leaves with her boot tip, "that I only loved you the better, if possible, for it all. It showed you to possess a brave heart and daring spirit, such as are ever the most loyal to the man a true woman loves. But for all those same acts of yours, I'd not have dared to do as I did; but I felt that no other course would lead you to follow the feeling I was sure I read in your eyes." John Devereux, who had gone out to the roadway with Hugh, now called to them. "Come, both of you," he said; "it is time to be off." "This must be our real good-by, little one." Captain Southorn glanced about them, and then put his arm around Dorothy. "We shall both be leaving shortly, and I cannot say good-by properly with a lot of other folk about. Ah," with a shudder, and holding her up to his breast, "when I think of what might have happened, had not your friend Hugh come upon the scene, it makes it all the harder for me to let you go again." "But there is no danger now," she said courageously; "the man is a prisoner. But whatever could have put such a crazy idea into his head?" she asked indignantly. "Did you never see him before?" her husband inquired. "Yes, at the Gray Horse Inn;" but her brother's voice, now calling rather impatiently, cut short her story. "And will you come when I send word?" Captain Southorn asked. "Yes," she whispered. "Well, thank God it will be but a few days until then," he said, giving her a parting kiss. "So for now, my wife,--my own little wife, adieu!" As they were taking their way to the house, Jack looked at his watch and scowled a little as he saw the lateness of the hour. Then he turned to Dorothy, and inquired, as her husband had done, in regard to her knowledge of Farmer Gilbert. She told of all that Mary and herself had seen of him at the inn; and her brother's quick perceptions put the facts together while he listened. They found gathered before the house an unusual number of men, in animated conversation; but as the three figures approached, they all became silent, glancing at the new-comers in a way to indicate that the recent occurrence had formed the subject of their discussion. Some of them now strolled away, while those who remained--all of them connected with the headquarters--drew aside to let Lieutenant Devereux and his companions pass. "Do you know if Sergeant Knollys is within, Harris?" Jack inquired, addressing one of them. "Yes, I am quite sure you will find him inside." Turning to another of the men, Jack bade him have the horses brought at once, and order the escort to be ready for immediate departure. "We shall have to hasten, Dot," he said hurriedly, as they went along the hall. "And," addressing her husband, "Captain Southorn, I must now turn you over to Captain Ireson." "Then I am not like to see you again," said the young Englishman, as he extended his hand.