“‘I hope your dream will come true, when old Time shall settle accounts with us.’ “‘So do I; and I think my dream is a good omen. Sit down, and let me take a good look at you. You appear so fresh and beautiful this evening.’ “‘I notice that you have not forsaken your old inclinations to flatter me.’ “‘No, it is no flattery, I assure you. Pardon me, but I must be permitted to give expression to my happiness in some way, else I could not endure it.’ “She took a seat by my side, while her beautiful eyes looked up into my face; a joyful tear trembled on the long lashes. “‘How is it, darling,’ I at last inquired, as I pressed her hand to my lips, ‘that you are looking so fresh and bright, when you have been constantly in attendance at the jail? I was afraid it would make you ill.’ “‘The performance of a duty always gives me health and happiness, no matter how much the labor is.’ “‘How is Miss Bramlett to-day?’ “‘She is quite well physically; but in great mental distress.’ “‘I suppose that is caused by the discovery of the new batch of evidence that was lately made against her.’ “‘What are you talking about? Don’t you know that she is grieving herself to death about Harry?’ “‘Indeed, no; and I cannot understand why she should think of him, after having driven him from her presence.’ “‘That only goes to show how little you know about a woman’s heart; Viola Bramlett is not thinking of her own situation, but her mind is all the time on Harry.’ “‘Don’t you think it is high time she was worried a little about her own condition? The date is near at hand when the grand jury will assemble; and it is certain that they will find a bill, then she will be compelled to stand her trial.’ “‘Indeed, I am glad to know that the day is near at hand when we shall get rid of this business.’ “‘Do you think Miss Bramlett will be ready for the trial when the time arrives?’ “‘Oh, yes; I see no reason why she should not; everything has been arranged except what I was telling you about Helen Herndon, and that I shall intrust to you.’ “‘Do you think it worth while to send me to Vicksburg on a wild goose chase?’ “‘Don’t talk that way--you must go at once; I have got some information about her, but not quite all I want. You will find Helen Herndon’s mother lives near the city of Vicksburg, and you must go there for the information which I want.’ “‘I’ll go anywhere or do anything to please you, but don’t give me anything to do that will keep me away very long.’ “‘Oh, no; I could not do that; but you can soon get back, and then we are ready for the trial.’ “‘Are you as hopeful now, Lottie, as to the result of the trial, as you were at first?’