"Her son?" repeated the Colonel. "Stephen Brice? Silas has done nothing the last half-hour but call his name. He says he must see the boy before he dies. Polk says he is not strong enough to come." "Oh, no, he is not strong enough," cried Virginia. The Colonel looked down at her queerly. "Where is Clarence?" he asked. She had not thought of Clarence. She turned hurriedly, glanced around the room, and then peered down the dark stairway. "Why, he came in with me. I wonder why he did not follow me up?" "Virginia." "Yes, Pa." "Virginia, are you happy?" "Why, yes, Pa." "Are you going to marry Clarence?" he asked. "I have promised," she said simply. Then after a long pause, seeing her father said nothing, she added, "Perhaps he was waiting for you to see me alone. I will go down to see if he is in the carriage." The Colonel started with her, but she pulled him back in alarm. "You will be seen, Pa," she cried. "How can you be so reckless?" He stayed at the top of the passage, holding open the door that she might have light. When she reached the sidewalk, there was Ned standing beside the horses, and the carriage empty. "Ned!" "Yass'm, Miss Jinny." "Where's Mr. Clarence?" "He done gone, Miss Tinny." "Gone?" "Yass'm. Fust I seed was a man plump out'n Willums's, Miss Jinny. He was a-gwine shufflin' up de street when Marse Clarence put out after him, pos' has'e. Den he run." She stood for a moment on the pavement in thought, and paused on the stairs again, wondering whether it were best to tell her father. Perhaps Clarence had seen--she caught her breath at the thought and pushed open the door. "Oh, Pa, do you think you are safe here?" she cried. "Why, yes, honey, I reckon so," he answered. "Where's Clarence?" "Ned says he ran after a man who was hiding in an entrance. Pa, I am afraid they are watching the place." "I don't think so, Jinny. I came here with Polk, in his buggy, after dark." Virginia, listening, heard footsteps on the stairs, and seized her father's sleeve. "Think of the risk you are running, Pa," she whispered. She would have dragged him to the closet. But it was too late. The door opened, and Mr. Brinsmade entered, and with him a lady veiled. At sight of Mr. Carvel Mr. Brinsmade started back in surprise. How long he stared at his old friend Virginia could not say. It seemed to her an eternity. But Mrs. Brice has often told since how straight the Colonel stood, his fine head thrown back, as he returned the glance. Then Mr. Brinsmade came forward, with his hand outstretched. "Comyn," said he, his voice breaking a little, "I have known you these many years as a man of unstained honor. You are safe with me. I ask no questions. God will judge whether I have done my duty."