The movement to the supper-table gave Emily time for reflection and self-possession. No more pointed questions were asked her during the meal; and after it was completed, she said to the woman that she felt much fatigued, and, if she would permit her to do so, would retire for the night. The young girl's reflections were by no means pleasant when alone. She thought seriously of the position in which she was placed. Her father was known as an active whig; and she was in the house of a tory, who might suspect her errand and prevent its consummation. After retiring to bed, she mused for a long time as to the course to be taken, in case efforts were made to detain her, when, overwearied nature, claiming its due repose, locked all her senses in sleep. Nearly two hours after Emily had gone to her chamber, and just as the man and woman who had given her a shelter for the night, were about retiring, the sound of a horse's feet were heard rapidly approaching the house. On going to the door, a young man rode up and called out in a familiar way-- "Hallo, Preston! Have you seen anything of a stray young girl in these parts?" "Bill Mink!" returned the farmer. "What in the world brings you here at this time of night?" "On a fool's errand, it may be. I received a letter from Loire, about an hour ago, stating that Geiger's daughter had volunteered to carry important despatches to General Sumter; that she had been on the journey some hours; and that I must overhaul her at the risk of every thing." "It isn't possible!" said the wife of the man called Preston. "It is, though; and it strikes me that she must be a confounded clever girl." "It strikes me so, too," returned Preston. "But I rather think your errand will be that of a fool, if you go any farther tonight." "Have you seen any thing of the jade?" asked Mink in a decided tone. "Well, perhaps I have," returned Preston, lowering his voice. "Aha!" ejaculated Mink, throwing himself from his horse. "So I have got on the right track. She is here?" "I did not say so." "No matter. It is all the same," and, hitching his horse to the fence, the young man entered the house with the familiarity of an old acquaintance. The sound of the horse's feet, as Mink came dashing up to the house, awakened Emily. The room she occupied being on the ground-floor, and the window raised to admit the cool air, she heard every word that passed. It may well be supposed that her heart sank in her bosom. For a long time after the new-comer entered, she heard the murmur of voices. Then some one went out, and the horse was led away to the stable. It was clear that the individual in search of her had concluded to pass the night there, and secure her in the morning.