General Herbert stood gravely regarding the two, and his glance when it rested on North was troubled and uncertain. The difficulties which beset this luckless fellow were only beginning, and what would the end be? "Father!" Elizabeth had turned toward him, and he advanced with as brave a show of cordiality as he could command; but North read and understood the look of pain in his frank gray eyes. "You agree with me that she should never have come here," North said quietly. "But you couldn't refuse her!" he added, and his glance went back to Elizabeth. "Under the circumstances it was right for her to come!" said the general. But in his heart he was none too sure. "I couldn't remain away after to-day; I had been waiting for that stupid jury to act--" She ended abruptly with a little laugh that became a sob, and her father rested a large and gentle hand upon her shoulder. "There, dear, I told you all along it wouldn't do to count on any jury!" "My affairs are worth considering only as they affect you, Elizabeth!" said North. "I was thinking of you when Brockett came to tell me you were here. Won't you go away from Mount Hope? I want you to forget,--no--" for she was about to speak; "wait until I have finished;--even if I am acquitted this will always be something discreditable in the eyes of the world, it's going to follow me through life! It is going to be hard for me to bear, it will be doubly hard for you, dear. I want your father to take you away and keep you away until this thing is settled. I don't want your name linked with mine; that's why I am sorry you came here, that's why you must never come here again." "You mustn't ask me to go away from Mount Hope, John!" said Elizabeth. "I am ready and willing to face the future with you; I was never more willing than now!" "You don't understand, Elizabeth!" said North. "We are just at the beginning. The trial, and all that, is still before us--long days of agony--" "And you would send me away when you will most need me!" she said, with gentle reproach. "I wish to spare you--" "But wherever I am, it will be the same!" "No, no,--you must forget--!" "If I can't,--what then?" she asked, looking up into his face. "I want you to try!" he urged. She shook her head. "Dear, I have lived through all this; I have asked myself if I really cared so much that nothing counted against the little comfort I might be to you; so much that the thought of what I am to you would outweigh every other consideration, and I am sure of myself. If I were not, I should probably wish to escape from it all. I am as much afraid of public opinion as any one, and as easily hurt, but my love has carried me beyond the point where such things matter!" "My dear! My dear! I am not worthy of such love." "You must let me be the judge of that." "Suppose the verdict is--guilty?" he asked. "No,--no, it will never be that!" But the color left her cheeks. "I don't suppose it will be," agreed North hastily.