In this state of things, it is not at all surprising that Dunscomb was enabled to make such an arrangement with Mrs. Gott as would place Anna Updyke in a private room in the house attached to the gaol, and which formed the sheriff’s dwelling. The counsellor preferred leaving her with Mrs. Horton; but to this Anna herself objected, both because she had taken a strong dislike to the garrulous but shrewd landlady, and because it would have separated her too much from the person she had come especially to console and sympathize with. The arrangement made, Dunscomb, as has already been mentioned, took his departure for town, with the understanding that he was to return the succeeding week; the Circuit and Oyer and Terminer sitting on Monday; and the District Attorney, Mr. Garth, having given notice to her counsel that the indictment against Mary Monson would be certainly traversed the second day of the sitting, which would be on Tuesday. [Illustration] CHAPTER XVI. “Let her locks be the reddest that ever were seen, And her eyes may be e’en any colour but green; Be they light, gray, or black, their lustre and hue, I swear I’ve no choice, only let her have two.” _The Duenna._ Two days after this, Dunscomb was in his library, late at night, holding a brief discourse with McBrain’s coachman, who has been already introduced to the reader. Some orders had been given to the last, in relation to another trip to Biberry, whither the master and our lawyer were to proceed next day. The man was an old and indulged servant, and often took great liberties in these conferences. In this respect the Americans of his class differ very little from the rest of their fellow-creatures, notwithstanding all that has been said and written to the contrary. They obey the impulses of their characters much as the rest of mankind, though not absolutely without some difference in manner. “I s’poses, ’Squire Dunscomb, that this is like to be the last journey that I and the doctor will have to take soon ag’in, in _that_ quarter,” coolly observed Stephen, when his master’s friend had told him the hour to be at the door, with the other preparations that would be necessary; “unless we should happen to be called in at the _post mortal_.” “_Post mortem_, you must mean, Hoof,” a slight smile flashing on the lawyer’s countenance, and as quickly disappearing. “So you consider it a settled thing that my client is to be found guilty?” “That’s what they say, sir; and things turn out, in this country, pretty much as they say aforehand. For my part, sir, I never quite liked the criminal’s looks.” “Her _looks_! I do not know where you would go to find a more lovely young woman, Stephen!”