"No," he said, after a pause. "You, Madame, would have to be something more, or something less. The fates have decreed that it be less--so," he made a little gesture dismissing the subject. "Pardon me, but I did not mean to attack you in that fashion. I came to look for you to ask you a question relating to the very pretty, very clever, maid you had in New Orleans, and whom, I hear, you brought with you on your visit here." "Oh! You are curious as to her--and you wish me to answer questions?" "If you please, though it really does not matter to me. Are you aware that the woman was a runaway slave, and liable to recapture in this particular vicinity?" "In this particular vicinity?" she repeated, questioningly. "Yes, if Matthew Loring should once get suspicion of the fact that your maid was really his girl Rosa--no, Rhoda--it would be an awkward fact allied to the episode here today," and he made a gesture towards the library window they were just passing. "Come, we will go down the steps," she suggested. They did so, and were promenading under the trees, lantern lit, on the lawn, when Colonel McVeigh came out on the veranda and felt a momentary envy of Monroe, who was free from a host's duties. They were clear of the steps and of probable listeners before Judithe asked: "Where did you get this information?" "From a slave who wanted you warned that you without knowing it, are probably harboring the spy whom Captain Masterson spoke of today." "Ah, a slave?" she remarked, thoughtfully; and the curious, intense gaze of Margeret was recalled to her, only to be followed by the memory of Pluto's anxiety that Louise should leave before the arrival of the Lorings; it was, then, without doubt, Pluto who gave the warning; but she remembered Zekal, and felt she had little to be anxious over. "You probably are not aware," he continued, "what a very serious affair it is considered here to assist in hiding a slave of that sort under assumed names or occupations. But if it is discovered it would prove ruinous to you just now."