"Since Vincent is going so far northward, I think it will be a good time for us to go home," Mrs. Sprague began, tentatively. "Oh--no--no! Oh, we could never think of such a thing," Rosa cried--"could we, mamma?" "Why should you go?" Mrs. Atterbury asked. "Until Jack is exchanged, you've certainly no duty in the North so important as watching over this headstrong fellow. We can't think of your going--unless you are weary of us." "O Mrs. Atterbury, pray don't put it in that way! You know better. Our visit here has been perfect. But you can understand my anxiety to be at home; to be where I can aid my son's release. I have been anxious for some time to broach the subject, but I saw that our going would be a trouble to you; now, since fortune offers this chance, we must seize it--that is, those of us who feel it a duty to go"; and she looked meaningly at Merry and her daughter. "Nonsense! You are hostages for Vincent, in case he is captured, as long as you are here; I can't let you go--under the laws of war--I can not. Can I, Vincent?" Vincent looked at Jack solemnly, but made no answer. "Mamma is quite right. While you are with us no harm can come to Vincent; for, if he should be taken prisoner, we can threaten the Yankee Government to put you to torture unless he is well treated," Rosa interrupted, reassuringly. "We should be far more aid and comfort to Vincent if we were in the North than we could be here. If he were taken prisoner and wounded, we could return him the kindness we have received here. In any event, we could lessen the hardships of prison life." "Oh, you would have to minister to a mind diseased, if such a fate should befall me!" Vincent cried, sentimentally; with a glance into Olympia's eyes, which met his at the moment. Both blushed; and Olympia, to relieve the embarrassment, said, decisively: