Thissuggestionwascarriedout，andCamdenwassoonleftbehind。Afewcartsweremetastheydrovealong。Thefarmerknewsomeofthedriversandpulleduptosayafewwordstothem。Afteratwenty-miledrivetheystoppedatanotherfarm，wheretheirfriend\'sintroductionensuredthemascordialawelcomeasthatupontheprecedingevening。Sostepbysteptheyjourneyedon，escortedinalmosteverycasebytheirhostofthenightbeforeandmeetingwithnointerruption。OncetheypassedastrongbodyofFederalcavalry，butthesesupposingthatthepartybelongedtotheneighborhoodaskednoquestions；andatlast，aftereightdays\'traveling，theypassedtwopostswhichmarkedtheboundarybetweenTennesseeandAlabama。
ForthelasttwodaystheyhadbeenbeyondthepointtowhichtheFederaltroopshadpenetrated。Theynowfeltthatallriskwasatanend。Anotherday\'sjourneybroughtthemtoarailwaystation，andtheylearnedthatthetrainswererunningasusual，althoughsomewhatirregularastothehoursatwhichtheycamealongorastothetimetheytookupontheirjourney。Thecontentsofthecarthadbeenleftatthefarmatwhichtheystoppedthenightbefore，andVincenthadnownodifficultyindisposingofthehorseandcart，ashedidnotstandoutforprice，buttookthefirstoffermade。
Twohourslateratraincamealong，andthepartyweresoonontheirwaytotheeast。Aftermanyhours\'travelingtheyreachedRome，inGeorgia，andthenproceededbythesouthernlineafewmilestoMacon，atwhichplacetheyalightedandhiredaconveyancetotakethemtoAntioch，nearwhichplaceLucy\'srelativesresided。
Thelatterpartofthejourneybyrailhadbeenasilentone。Lucyfeltnoneofthepleasurethatshehadexpectedatfindingherselfsafelythroughherdangersanduponthepointofjoiningrelationswhowouldbedelightedtoseeher，andshesatlookingblanklyoutofthewindowatthesurroundingcountry。AtlastVincent，whohadbeenhalfanhourwithoutspeaking，said。
Areyousorryourjourneyisjustover，Lucy？\"
Thegirl\'slipquivered，butshedidnotspeakforamoment。\"Ofcourseitisunpleasantsayinggood-bywhenpeoplehavebeentogetherforsometime，\"shesaidwithaneffort。
\"Ihopeitwillnotbegood-byforlong，\"hesaid。\"Ishallhebackhereassoonasthishorriblewarisover。\"
\"Whatfor？\"thegirlasked，lookingroundinsurprise。\"Youlivealongwayfromhere，andyoutoldmeyouknewnobodyintheseparts。\"
Iknowyou，\"Vincentsaid，\"andthatisquiteenough。DoyounotknowthatIloveyou？\"
Thegirlgaveastartofsurprise，hercheekflushed，buthereyesdidnotdropasshelookedfranklyathim。
\"No，Vin，\"shesaidafterapause，\"Ineveroncethoughtyoulovedme，neveronce。YouhavenotbeenabitlikewhatIthoughtpeoplewerewhentheyfeltlikethat。\"
\"Ihopenot，Lucy。Iwasyourprotectorthen，thatistosaywhenyouwerenotmine。Yourpositionhasbeentryingenough，andI
shouldhavebeenablackguardifIhadmadeitmoreuncomfortablethanitwasbyshowingyouthatIcaredforyou。I
havetriedmybesttobewhatpeoplethoughtme-yourbrother；butnowthatyouarejusthomeandamongyourownpeople，IthinkI
mayspeakandtellyouhowIfeeltowardyouandhowIhavelovedyousincethemomentIfirstsawyou。Andyou，Lucy，doyouthinkyoucouldcareforme？\"
\"NotmorethanIdonow，Vin。Iloveyouwithallmyheart。IhavebeentryingsohardtobelievethatIdidn\'t，becauseIthoughtyoudidnotcareformethatway。\"
Forsomeminutesnofurtherwordwasspoken。Vincentwasthefirsttospeak:
\"Itishorridtohavetosithereinthisstiff，unnaturalway，Lucy，whenoneisinclinedtodosomethingoutrageousfromsheerhappiness。Theselong，opencars，wherepeoplecanseefromendtoendwhateveryoneisdoing，arehatefulinventions。Itisperfectlyabsurd，whenonefindsone\'sselfthehappiestfellowliving，thatoneisobligedtolookasdemureandsolemnasifonewasinchurch。\"
\"Thenyoushouldhavewaited，sir，\"thegirlsaid。
\"Imeanttohavewaited，Lucy，untilIgottoyourhome，butdirectlyIfeltthattherewasnolongeranyharminmyspeaking，outitcame；butit\'sveryhardtohavetowaitforhoursperhaps。\"
\"Towaitforwhat？\"Lucyaskeddemurely。
\"Youmustwaitforexplanationsuntilwearealone，Lucy。AndnowIthinkthetrainbeginstoslacken，anditisthenextstationatwhichwegetout。\"
\"Ithink，Lucy，\"Vincentsaid，whentheyapproachedthehouseofherrelatives，\"youandChloehadbettergetoutendgoinbyyourselvesandtellyourstory。DanandIwillgototheinn，andI
willcomeroundinanhour。Ifweweretowalkintogetherlikethisitwouldbenexttoimpossibleforyoutoexplainhowitallcameabout。\"
\"Ithinkthatwouldbethebestplan。Mytwoauntsarethekindestcreaturespossible，butnodoubttheywillbebewilderedatseeingmesosuddenly。Idothinkitwouldbebesttoletmehaveatalkwiththemandtellthemallaboutitbeforeyouappearuponthescene。\"
\"Verywell，then，inanhourIwillcomein。
Whentheyarrivedatthegate，therefore，VincenthelpedLucyandChloetoalight，andthenjumpingintothebuggyagaintoldthedrivertotakehimtotheinn。
HavingengagedaroomandindulgedinathoroughwashVincentsalliedoutintothelittletown，andwasfortunateenoughtosucceedinpurchasingasuitoftweedclothes，which，althoughtheyscarcelyfittedhimasiftheyhadbeenmadeforhim，werestillanimmenseimprovementupontheroughclothesinwhichhehadtraveled。Returningtothehotelheputonhisnewpurchases，andthenwalkedtothehouseofLucy\'saunts，whichwasaquarterofamileoutsidethetown。
Lucyhadwalkedupthelittlepaththroughthegardeninfrontofthehouse，andturningthehandleofthedoorhadenteredunannouncedandwalkedstraightintotheparlor。Twoelderlyladiesrosewithsomesurpriseattheentryofastrangevisitor。Itwasthreeyearssinceshehadpaidherlastvisitthere，andforamomenttheydidnotrecognizeher。
\"Don\'tyouknowme，aunts？\"
\"Why，goodnessme!\"theeldestexclaimed，\"ifitisn\'tourlittleLucygrownintoawoman!Mydearchild，wherehaveyousprungfrom？\"Andthetwoladieswarmlyembracedtheirniece，who，assoonastheyreleasedherfromtheirarms，burstintoafitofcrying，anditwassometimebeforeshecouldanswerthequestionsshowereduponher。
\"Itisnothing，aunts，\"shesaidatlast，wipinghereyes；\"butIamsogladtobewithyouagain，andIhavegonethroughsomuch，andI
amsohappy，anditissonicebeingwithyouagain。HereisChloewaitingtospeaktoyou，aunts。Shehascomewithmealltheway。\"
Theoldnegress，whohadbeenwaitinginthepassage，wasnowcalledin。
\"Why，Chloe，youlooknoolderthanwhenyouwentawayfromheresixyearsago，\"MissKingstonsaid。\"Buthoweverdidyoubothgetthroughthelines？Wehavebeenterriblyanxiousahoutyou。Yourbrotherwashereonlyafortnightago，andheandyourfatherwereinagreatwayaboutyou，andreproachedthemselvesbitterlythattheydidnotsendyoutousbeforethetroublesbegan，whichcertainlywouldhavebeenawiserstep，asItoldthem。Ofcourseyourbrothersaidthatwhentheyleftyoutojointhearmytheyhadnoideathatmattersweregoingsofar，orthattheYankeeswoulddriveusoutofTennessee，ortheywouldneverhavedreamedofleavingyoualone。However，hereyouare，sonowtellmeallaboutit。\"
LucytoldthestoryofthevariousvisitsoftheFederalbushwhackerstothehouse，andhowtheyhadnarrowlyescapeddeathforrefusingtobetraytheConfederateofficerwhohadcometothehouseforfood。Herrecitalwasfrequentlyinterruptedbyexclamationsofindignationandpityfromheraunts。
\"Well，aunts，afterthat，\"shewenton，\"youseeitwasimpossibleformetostopthereanylonger。Nodoubttheycamebackagainafewhoursafterwardandburnedthehouse，andhadIbeenfoundthereIshouldhavebeensuretobeburnedinit，soChloeagreedwithmethattherewasnothingtodobuttotryandgetthroughthelinesandcometoyou。TherewasnowayofmygettingmylivingatNashvilleexceptbygoingoutasahelp，andtheremighthavebeensomedifficultiesaboutthat。\"
\"Quiteright，mydear。Itwasclearlythebestthingforyoutocometous-indeed，theonlything。ButhowintheworlddidyoutwomanagetotravelaloneallthatdistanceandgetthroughtheFederallines？\"
\"Yousee，wewerenotalone，aunts，\"Lucysaid；\"theConfederateofficerandhisservantwerecomingthrough，andofcoursetheytookcareofus。Wecouldneverhavegotthroughalone，andasChloewaswithmewegotonverynicely；hutwehavebeenalongtimegettingthrough，forinthatfight，wherehesavedmylifeandkilledfiveoftheband，hehadhisshoulderbrokenbyapistolbullet，andwehadtostopinafarmhousenearMountPleasant，andhewasveryillforsometime，butthedoctorwhoattendedhimwasatrueSoutherner，andsowewerequitesafetillhewasabletomoveagain。\"
\"Andwhoisthisofficer，Lucy？\"MissKingstonaskedratheranxiously。
\"HeisaVirginiangentleman，auntie。HismotherhaslargeestatesnearRichmond。HewasinthecavalrywithStuart，andwasmadeprisonerwhilehewaslyingwoundedandinsensible，atAntietam；
andIthink，auntie，thatthat-\"andshehesitated-\"somedaywearegoingtobemarried。\"
Oh，that\'sit，isit？\"theoldladysaidkindly。\"Well，Ican\'tsayanythingaboutthatuntilIseehim，Lucy。Nowtellusthewholestory，andthenweshallbebetterabletojudgeaboutit。Idon\'tthink，mydear，thatwhileyouweretravelingunderhisprotectionheoughttohavetalkedtoyouaboutsuchthings。\"
\"Hedidn\'t，auntie；notuntilwewerehalfamilefromthestationhere。Ineverthoughthecaredformetheleastbit；hewasjustlikeabrothertome-justlikewhatJackwouldhavebeenifhehadbeenbringingmehere。\"
\"That\'sright，mydear；Iamgladtohearit。Now，letushearallaboutit。\"
Lucytoldthewholestoryofherescapeandheradventures，andwhenshehadfinishedherauntsnoddedtoeachother。
\"That\'sallverysatisfactory，Lucy。Itwasadifficultpositiontobeplacedin，thoughIdon\'tseehowitwastobeavoided，andtheyoungmanreallyseemstohavehehavedverywell。Don\'tyouthinkso，Ada？\"TheyoungerMissKingstonagreed，andbothwerepreparedtoreceiveVincentwithcordialitywhenheappearedThehourhadbeenconsiderablyexceededwhenVincentcametothedoor。HefeltitratheranawkwardmomentwhenhewasusheredintothepresenceofLucy\'saunts，whocouldscarcelyrestrainanexclamationofsurpriseathisyouth，foralthoughLucyhadsaidnothingabouthisage，theyexpectedtomeetanolderman，theimpressionbeinggainedfromtherecitalofhisbraveryinattackingsinglehandedtwelvemen，andbythemannerinwhichhehadpilotedthepartythroughtheirdangers。
Weareverygladtoseeyou-mysisterAdaandmyself，\"MissKingstonsaid，shakinghandscordiallywiththeirvisitor。\"Lucyhasbeentellingusallaboutyou；butwecertainlyexpectedfromwhatyouhadgonethroughthatyouwereolder。\"
\"Iamtwoorthreeyearsolderthansheis，MissKingston，andI
havegonethroughsomuchinthelastthreeyearsthatIfeelolderthanIam。Shehastoldyou，Ihope，thatshehasbeengoodenoughtopromisetobemywifesomeday？\"
\"Yes，shehastoldusthat，Mr。Wingfield；andalthoughwedon\'tknowyoupersonally，wefeelsure-mysisterAdaandI-fromwhatshehastoldusofyourbehaviorwhileyouhavebeentogetherthatyouareanhonorablegentleman，andwehopeandbelievethatyouwillmakeherhappy。\"
\"Iwilldomybesttodoso，\"Vincentsaidearnestly。\"Astomycircumstances，Ishallinanotheryearcomeintopossessionofestatessufficienttokeepherineverycomfort。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtthatthatisallsatisfactory，Mr。Wingfield，andthatherfatherwillgivehisheartyapprovalwhenhehearsallthecircumstancesofthecase。Now，ifyouwillgointothenextroom，Mr。Wingfield，Iwillcallherdown\"-forLucybadrunupstairswhensheheardVincentknock。
\"Idaresayyouwilllikeaquiettalktogether，\"sheaddedsmiling，\"forshetellsmeyouhaveneverbeenalonetogethersinceyoustarted。\"
Lucyrequiredseveralcallsbeforeshecamedown。Anewshynesssuchasshehadneverbeforefeltbadseizedher，anditwaswithflushedcheeksandtimidstepsthatsheatlastcamedownstairs，anditneededanencouraging-\"Goin，yousillychild，yourloverwillnoteatyou，\"beforesheturnedthehandleandwentintotheroomwhereVincentwasexpectingher。
VincenthadtelegraphedfromthefirststationatwhichhearrivedwithinthelimitsoftheConfederacytohismother，announcinghissafearrivalthere，andaskinghertosendmoneytohimatAntioch。
Herletterinreplyreachedhimthreedaysafterhisarrival。Itcontainednotesfortheamounthewrotefor；andwhileexpressingherownandhissisters\'delightathearinghehadsafelyreachedthelimitsoftheConfederacy，sheexpressednotalittlesurpriseattheout-of-the-wayplacetowhichhehadrequestedthemoneytobesent。
\"Wehavebeenexaminingthemaps，mydearboy，\"shesaid，\"andfindthatitisseventyoreightymilesoutofyourdirectcourse，andwehavepuzzledourselvesinvainastowhyyoushouldhavemadeyourwaythere。Thegirlsguessthatyouhavegonetheretodeliverinpersonsomemessagefromoneofyourlatefellow-prisonerstohisfamily。Iamnotgoodatguessing，andamcontenttowaituntilyoureturnhome。Wehopethatyouwillleaveassoonasyougettheremittance。Weshallcountthehoursuntilweseeyou。OfcoursewelearnedfromaYankeepapersmuggledthroughthelinesthatyouhadescapedfromprison，andhavebeenterriblyanxiousaboutyoueversince。Wearelongingtohearyouradventures。\"
AfewhoursafterthereceiptofthisletterVincentwasonhiswayhome。Itwasalongjourney。Thedistancewasconsiderable，andthetrainservicegreatlydisorderedandunpunctual。WhenwithinafewhoursofRichmondhetelegraphed，givingtheapproximatetimeatwhichhemightbeexpectedtoarrive。Thetrain，however，didnotreachRichmonduntilsomehourslater。Thecarriagewaswaitingatthestation，andthenegrocoachmanshoutedwithpleasureatthesightofhisyoungmaster。
\"Missisandtheyoungladiescome，sah；butdestation-masterhesaydotrainnoarriveforalongtime，sodeywaitforyouatdetownhouse，sah。\"
DanjumpedupbesidethecoachmanandVincentleapedintothecarriage，andafewminuteslaterhewaslockedinthearmsofhismotherandsisters。
\"Yougrowbiggerandbigger，Vincent，\"hismothersaidafterthefirstgreetingwasover。\"Ithoughtyoumusthavedonewhenyouwentawaylast，butyouaretwoorthreeinchestallerandeversomuchwider。\"
\"IthinkIhavenearlydonenow，mother-anyhowastoheight。Iamaboutsixfeetone。\"
\"Youareadreadfultroubletous，Vincent，\"Anniesaid。\"Wehaveawfulanxietywheneverwehearofabattlebeingfought，anditwasalmostarelieftouswhenweheardthatyouwereinaYankeeprison。Wethoughtatleastyouwereoutofdangerforsometime；
butsincethenewscameofyourescapeithasbeenworsethanever，andasweekpassedafterweekwithoutourhearingany\'thingofyouwebegantofearthatsomethingterriblehadhappenedtoyou。\"
\"Nothingterriblehashappenedatall，Annie。TheonlymishapI
hadwasgettingapistolbulletinmyshoulderwhichlaidmeupforaboutsixweeks。Therewasnothingverydreadfulaboutit，\"hecontinued，asexclamationsofalarmandpitybrokefromhismotherandsister。\"Iwaswelllookedafterandnursed。AndnowI
willtellyoumymostimportantpieceofnews，andthenIwillgiveyouafullaccountofmyadventuresfromthetimewhenDangotmeoutofprison，foritisentirelytohimthatIowemyliberty。\"
\"Well，whatisthepieceofnews？\"Annieasked。
\"Guess!\"Vincentrepliedsmiling。
\"Youhavegotpromoted？\"hismothersaid。Heshookhishead。
\"Isitaboutalady？\"Annieasked。
Vincentsmiled。
\"Oh，Vincent，youarenotengagedtobemarried!Thatwouldbetooridiculous!\"Vincentlaughedandnodded。
\"Annieisright，mother；Iamengagedtobemarried。\"Mrs。
Wingfieldlookedgrave，Rosielaughed，andAnniethrewherarmsroundhisneckandkissedhim。
\"Youdear，sillyoldboy:\"shesaid。\"Iamglad，thoughitseemssoridiculous。Whoisshe，andwhatisshelike？\"
\"Weneedn\'taskwhereshelives，\"Rosiesaid。\"OfcourseitisinAntioch，thoughbowintheworldyoumanageditallinthetwoorthreedaysyouwerethereIcan\'tmakeout。\"
Mrs。Wingfield\'sbrowcleared。\"Atanyrate，inthatcase，Vincent，sheisaSoutherner。IwasafraidatfirstitwassomeYankeewomanwhohadperhapsshelteredyouonyourway。\"
\"Issheolderthanyou，Vincent？Annieaskedsuddenly。\"Ishouldn\'tlikehertobeolderthanyouare。\"
\"Sheisbetweensixteenandseventeen，\"Vincentreplied，\"andsheisaSoutherngirl，mother，andIamsureyouwillloveher，forshesavedmylifeattheriskofherown，besidesnursingmeallthetimeIwasill。\"
\"IhavenodoubtIshallloveher，Vincent，forIthink，myboy，thatyouwouldnotmakearashchoice。Ithinkyouareyoung，muchtooyoung，tobeengaged；still，thatisasecondarymatter。Nowtellusallaboutit。Weexpectedyourstorytobeexciting，butdidnotdreamthatlove-makinghadanyshareinit。\"
VincentaccordinglytoldthemthewholestoryofhisadventuresfromthetimeofhisfirstmeetingDaninprison。WhenherelatedtheepisodeofLucy\'srefusaltosaywhetherhewouldreturn，althoughthreatenedwithinstantdeathunlessshedidso，hisnarrativewasbrokenbytheexclamationsofhishearers。
\"Youneednotsayanotherwordinpraiseofher，\"hismothersaid。
\"Sheisindeedanoblegirl，andIshallbeproudofsuchadaughter。\"
\"Shemustbeadarling!\"Annieexclaimed。\"Oh，Vincent，howbraveshemustbe!Idon\'tthinkIevercouldhavedonethat，withapistolpointingstraightatyou，andallthosedreadfulmenround，andnohopeofarescue；it\'sawfuleventothinkof。\"
\"Itwasanawfulmoment，asyoumayimagine，\"Vincentreplied。
\"Ishallneverforgetthescene，orLucy\'ssteadfastfaceasshefacedthatman；andyouseeatthattimeIwasaperfectstrangertoher-
onlyafugitiveConfederateofficerwhomsheshieldedfromhispursuers。\"
Goon，Vincent；pleasegoon，Anniesaid。\"Telluswhathappenednext。\"
Vincentcontinuedhisnarrativetotheend，with，however，manyinterruptionsandquestionsonthepartofthegirls。Hismothersaidlittle，butsatholdinghishandinhers。
\"Ithasbeenawonderfulescape，Vincent，\"shesaidwhenhehadfinished。\"BringyourLucyherewhenyoulike，andIshallbereadytoreceiveherasmydaughter，andtoloveherforherownsakeaswellasyours。Shemustbenotonlyabravebutanoblegirl，andyoudidperfectlyrighttolosenotasingledayafteryouhadtakenhersafelyhomeinaskinghertobeyourwife。IamgladtothinkthatsomedaytheOrangerywillhavesoworthyamistress……Iwillwritetoheratonce。Youhavenotyettolduswhatsheislike，Vincent。\"
\"Iamnotgoodatdescriptions，butyoushallseeherphotographwhenIgetit。\"
\"What，haven\'tyougotonenow？\"
\"Shehadnotonetogiveme。Yousee，whenthetroublesbeganshewaslittlemorethanachild，andsincethattimeshehasscarcelylefthome，butshepromisedtohaveonetakenatonceandsenditme，andthen，ifitisagoodlikeness，youwillknowallaboutit。\"
\"Mother，whenyouwriteto-night，\"Rosiesaid，\"pleasesendheryourphotographandours，andsayweallwantoneofournewrelativethatistobe。\"
\"Ithink，mydear，youcanleavethatuntilwehaveexchangedaletterortwo。YouwillseeVincent\'scopy，andcanthenwaitpatientlyforyourown。\"
\"Andnow，mother，Ihavetoldyouallofmynews；letushearabouteveryonehere。Howarealltheoldhousehands，andhowisDinah？TonyisatWashington，Iknow，becauseIsawinthepaperthathehadmadeasuddenattackuponJackson。\"
Mrs。Wingfield\'sfacefell。
\"Thatismyonepieceofbadnews，Vincent。Iwishyouhadn\'taskedthequestionuntilto-morrow，forIamsorrythatanythingshoulddisturbthepleasureofthisfirstmeeting；stillasyouhaveaskedthequestionImustanswerit。Abouttendaysagoanegrocame，asIafterwardheardfromChloe，tothebackentranceandaskedforDinah。Hesaidhehadamessageforher。Shewentandspoketohim，andthenranbackandcaughtupherchild。ShesaidtoChloe，\'Ihavenewsofmyhusband。Ithinkheishere。Iwillsoonbebackagain。\'Thensheranout，andhasneverreturned。
Wehavemadeeveryinquirywecould，butwehavenotlikedtoadvertiseforher，foritmaybethatshehasmetherhusband，andthathepersuadedhertomakeoffatoncewithhimtoYorktownorFortressMonroe。\"
\"Thisisbadnewsindeed，mother，\"Vincentsaid。\"No，IdonotthinkforamomentthatshehasgoneoffwithTony。Therecouldbenoreasonwhysheshouldhaveleftsosuddenlywithouttellinganyone，forsheknewwellenoughthatyouwouldlethergoifshewishedit；andIfealsurethatneithershenorTonywouldactsoungratefullyastoleaveusinthismanner。No，mother，IfeelsurethatthishasbeendonebyJackson。YouknowItoldyouIfeltuneasyaboutherbeforeIwent。NodoubttheoldrascalhasseeninsomeNorthernpaperanaccountofhissonhavingbeenattackedinthestreetsofWashington，andrecapturedbyTony，andhehashadDinahcarriedofffromapurespiritofrevenge。Well，mother，\"hewentoninanswertoanappealinglookfromher，\"I
willnotputmyselfoutthisfirsteveningofmyreturn，andwillsaynomoreaboutit。Therewillbeplentyoftimetotakethematterupto-morrow。Andnowaboutallourfriendsandacquaintances。
Howaretheygettingon？HaveyouheardofanymoreofmyoldchumsbeingkilledsinceIwastakenprisoneratAntietam？\"
ItwaslateintheeveningbeforeVincentheardallthenews。
Fortunately，thelistofcasualtiesinthearmyofVirginiahadbeenslightsinceAntietam；butthatbattlehadmademanygapsamongthecircleoftheirfriends，andoftheseVincentnowheardforthefirsttime，andhelearnedtoo，thatalthoughnobattlehadbeenfoughtsinceAntietam，onthe17thofSeptember，therehadbeenasharpskirmishnearFredericksburg，andthattheFederalarmy，nowunderGeneralBurnside，whohadsucceededMcClellan，wasfacingthatofLee，nearthattown，andthatitwasbelievedthattheywouldattempttocrosstheRappahannockinafewdays。
ItwasnotuntilheretiredforthenightthatVincentallowedhisthoughtstoturnagaintothemissingwoman。Herlossannoyedandvexedhimmuchmorethanhepermittedhismothertosee。Inthefirstplace，thepoorgirl\'seagernesstoshowhergratitudetohimuponalloccasions，andheruntiringwatchfulnessandcareduringhisillnessfromhiswound，hadtouchedhim，andthethoughtthatshewasnowprobablyinthehandsofbrutaltaskmasterswasarealpaintohim。Inthenextplace，hebad，asitwere，givenhispledgetoTonythatsheshouldbewellcaredforuntilshecouldbesenttojoinhim。Andwhatshouldhesaynowwhenthenegrowrotetoclaimher？Then，too，hefeltapersonalinjurythatthewomanshouldbecarriedcifwhenunderhismother\'sprotection，andhewasfullofindignationandfuryatthedastardlyrevengetakenbyJackson。UponhearingthenewshehadatoncementallydeterminedtodevotehimselfforsometimetoasearchforDinah；
butthenewsthatagreatbattlewasexpectedatthefrontinterferedwithhisplan。Nowthathowasback，capableofreturningtoduty，hisplacewasclearlywithhisregiment；buthedeterminedthatwhilehewouldrejoinatonce，hewouldassoonasthebattlewasover，ifhewereunhurt，takeupthesearch。Hismotherandsistersweregreatlydistressedwhenatbreakfasthetoldthemthathemustatoncereportbimselfasfitforduty，andreadytojoinhisregiment。
\"Iwasafraidyouwouldthinkso，\"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid，whilethegirlsweptsilently；\"andmuchasIgrieveatlosingyouagaindirectlyyouhavereturned，Icansaynothingagainstit。Youhavegonethroughmanydangers，Vincent，andhavebeenpreservedtousthroughthemall。Wewillpraythatyoumaybesototheend。
Still，whetherornot，IasaVirginianwomancannotgrudgemysontotheserviceofmycountry，whenallothermothersaremakingthesamesacrifice；butitishardtogiveyouupwhenbutyesterdayyoureturnedtous。\"
CHAPTERXV。FREDERICKSBURG。
AssoonasbreakfastwasoverVincentmountedWi1dfire-whichhadbeensentbackafterhehadbeentakenprisoner，androdeintoRichmond。TherehereportedhimselfatheadquartersashavingreturnedafterescapingfromaFederalprison，andmakinghiswaythroughthelinesoftheenemy。
\"Ihadmyshoulder-bonesmashedinafightwithsomeYankees，\"
hesaid，\"andwaslaidupinhidingforsixweeks；buthavenowfairlyrecovered。Myshoulder，attimes，givesmeconsiderablepain，andalthoughIamdesirousofreturningtodutyandrejoiningmyregimentuntilthebattleatFredericksburghastakenplace，I
mustrequestthatthreemonths\'leavebegrantedtomeafterthattoreturnhomeandcompletemycure，promisingofcoursetorejoinmyregimentatonceshouldhostilitiesbreakoutbeforethespring。\"
\"Wesawthenewsthatyouhadescaped，\"thegeneralsaid，\"butfeared，assolongatimeelapsedwithouthearingfromyou，thatyouhadbeenshotinattemptingtocrossthelines。Yourrequestforleaveisofcoursegranted，andanotewillbemadeofyourzealinthusrejoiningontheverydayafteryourreturn。Thevacancyintheregimenthasbeenfilledup，butIwillappointyoutemporarilytoGeneralStuart\'sstaff，andIshallhavegreatpleasureinto-dayfillingupyourcommissionascaptain。Nowletmehearhowyoumadeyourescape。BytheaccountspublishedintheNorthernpapersitseemedthatyoumusthavehadaconfederateoutsidethewalls。\"
Vincentgaveafullaccountofhisescapefromprisonandabriefsketchofhissubsequentproceedings，sayingonlythathewasinthehouseofsomeloyalpeopleinTennessee，whenitwasattackedbyapartyofYankeebushwhackers，thatthesewerebeatenoffinthefight，butthathehimselfhadapistolbulletinhisshoulder。HethenmadehiswayonuntilcompelledbyhiswoundtolayupforsixweeksinalonelyfarmhousenearMountPleasant；thatafterwardinthedisguiseofayoungfarmerhehadmadealongdetouracrosstheTennesseeriverandreachedGeorgia。
\"Whendoyouleaveforthefront，CaptainWingfield？\"
\"Ishallbereadytostartto-night，sir。\"
\"InthatcaseIwilltroubleyoutocomeroundherethisevening。
TherewillbeafasttraingoingthroughwithammunitionforLeeatteno\'clock，andIshallhaveabagofdespatchesforhim，whichI
willtroubleyoutodeliver。Youwillfindmehereuptothelastmoment。Iwillgiveordersthatahorse-boxbeputontothetrain。\"
AfterexpressinghisthanksVincenttookhisleave。Asheleftthegeneral\'squarters，ayoungman，justalightingfromhishorse，gaveashoutofgreeting。
\"Why，Wingfield，itisgoodtoseeyou!IthoughtyouwerepiningagaininaYankeedungeon，orhadgotknockedontheheadcrossingthelines。Wherehaveyousprungfrom，andwhendidyouarrive？\"
\"IonlygotinyesterdayaftersundryadventureswhichIwilltellyouaboutpresently。Whendidyouarrivefromthefront？\"
\"Icamedownafewdaysagoonaweek\'sleaveonurgentfamilybusiness，\"theyoungmanlaughed，\"andIamgoingbackagainthisafternoonbythefouro\'clocktrain。\"
\"Staytillten，\"Vincentsaid，\"andwewillgobacktogether。Thereisaspecialtraingoingthroughwithammunition，andaseverythingwillmakewayforthatitwillnotbelongbehindthefouro\'clock，andlikelyenoughmaypassitontheway。Thereisahorse-boxattachedtoit，andasIonlytakeonehorsetherewillberoomforyours。\"
\"Ihaven\'tbroughtmyhorsedown，\"HarryFurnisssaid；\"butIwillcertainlygowithyoubytheteno\'clock。Thenwecanhavealongtalk。Idon\'tthinkIhaveseenyousincethedayyouaskedmetolendyoumyboattwoyearsago。\"
\"Canyousparemetwohoursnow？\"Vincentasked。\"Youwilldomeaverygreatfavorifyouwill。\"
HarryFurnisslookedathiswatch。\"Itiseleveno\'clocknow；wehavealotofpeopletolunchathalf-pastone，andImustbebackbythen。\"
\"Youcanmanagethateasyenough，\"Vincentreplied；\"intwohoursfromthetimeweleavehereyoucanbeathome。\"
\"Iamyourman，then，Vincent。JustwaitfiveminutesIhavetoseesomeoneinhere。\"
AfewminuteslaterHarryFurnisscameoutagainandmounted。
\"Nowwhichway，Vincent？andwhatisityouwantmefor？\"
\"ThewayistoJackson\'splaceattheCedars，thewhyIwilltellyouaboutasweride。\"
VincentthenrecountedhisfeudwiththeJacksons，ofwhich，uptothedateofthepurchaseofDinahMorris，hisfriendwasaware，havingbeenpresentatthesale。HenowheardoftheattackuponyoungJacksonbyTony，andofthedisappearanceofDinahMorris。
\"Ishouldnotbeatallsurprised，Wingfield，ifyoursurmisesarecorrect，andthatoldscoundrelhascarriedoffthegirltoavengehimselfuponTony。Ofcourse，ifyoucouldproveit，itwouldbeaveryseriousoffense；forthestealingaslave，andbyforcetoo，isacrimewithaveryheavypenalty，andhascostmentheirlivesbeforenow。ButIdon\'tseethatyouhaveanythinglikeapositiveproof，howeverstrongacaseofsuspicionitmaybe。Idon\'tseewhatyouaregoingtosaywhenyougetthere。\"
\"Iamgoingtotellhimthatifhedoesnotsaywhathehasdonewiththegirl，IwillhavehissonarrestedfortreacheryassoonashesetsfootintheConfederacyagain。\"
\"Treachery!\"Furnisssaidinsurprise；\"whattreacheryhashebeenguiltyof？Isawthathewasoneofthosewhoescapedwithyou，andIratherwonderedatthetimeatyoutwobeingmixeduptogetherinanything。Iheardthathehadbeenrecapturedthroughsomeblackfellowthathadbeenhisslave，butIdidnotreadtheaccount。Haveyougotproofofwhatyousay？\"
\"Perhapsnoproofthatwouldholdinacourtoflaw，\"Vincentreplied，\"butproofenoughtomakeitanabsolutecertaintytomymind。\"
Vincentthengaveanaccountoftheirescape，andoftheanonymousdenunciationofhimselfandDan。
\"Now，\"hesaid，\"noonebutDanknewoftheintendedescape，nooneknewwhatclotheshehadpurchased，noonecouldpossiblyhaveknownthatIwastobedisguisedasapreacherandDanasmyservant。ThereforetheinformationmusthavebeengivenbyJackson。\"
\"Ihavenottheleastdoubtbutthattheblackguarddidgiveit，Wingfield；butthereisnoproof。\"
\"Iconsiderthatthereisaproof-anabsoluteandpositiveproof，\"
Vincentasserted，\"becausenooneelsecouldhaveknownit。\"
\"Well，youseethatasamatteroffacttheotherofficerdidknowit，andmightpossiblyhavegiventheinformation。\"
\"Butwhyshouldhe？Theideaisabsurd。Hehadneverhadaquarrelwithme，andheowedhislibertytome。\"
\"Justso，Wingfield。IamascertainthatitwasJacksonasyouarc，becauseIknowthecircumstances；butyouseethereisnomoreabsoluteproofagainstonemanthanagainsttheother。ItistruethatyouhadhadaquarrelwithJacksonsometwoyearsbefore，butyouseeyouhadmadeitupandhadbecomefriendsinprison-somuchsothatyouselectedhimfromamongascoreofothersinthesameroomtobethecompanionofyourflight。YouandI，whoknowJackson，canwellbelievehimguiltyofanactofgrossingratitude-ofingratitudeandtreachery；butpeoplewhodonotknowwouldhardlycredititaspossible-thatamancouldbesuchavillain。Thedefensehewouldsetupwouldbethatinthefirstplacethereisnoshadowofevidencethathemorethantheotherturnedtraitor。TnthesecondplacehewouldbesuretosaythatsuchanaccusationagainstaConfederateofficeristoomonstrousandpreposteroustobeentertainedforamoment；andthatdoubtlessyournegro，althoughhedeniesthefact，reallychatteredabouthisdoingstothenegroeshewaslodgingwith，andthatitwasthroughthemthatsomeonegottoknowofthedisguiseyouwouldwear。Weknowthatitwasn\'tso，Wingfield；butninety-nineoutofeveryhundredwhitemenintheSouthwouldratherbelievethatanegrobadchatteredthanthataConfederateofficerhadbeenguiltyofagrossactoftreacheryandingratitude。\"
Vincentwassilent。Hefeltthatwhathiscompanionsaidwasthetruth；andthataweaponbywhichhehadhopedtoforcetheelderJacksonintosayingwhathehaddonewithDinahwouldprobablyfailinitspurpose。Theoldmanwastooastutenottoperceivethattherewasnorealproofagainsthisson，andwouldthereforebeunlikelyatoncetoadmitthathehadcommittedaseriouscrime，andtoforegohisrevenge。
\"Iwilltryatanyrate，\"hesaidatlast；\"andifherefusesIwillpublishthestoryinthepapers。WhenthefellowgetsbackfromYankee-landhemayeithercallmeoutordemandacourtofinquiry。Imaynotsucceedingettingaverdictfromtwelvewhitemen，butIthinkIcanconvinceeveryoneofourownclassthatthefellowdidit；andwhenthisbattlethatisexpectedisoverIhavegotthreemonths\'leave，andIwillmoveheavenandearthtofindthewoman；andifIdo，Jacksonwilleitherhavetoboltorstandatrial，withtheprospectoftenyears\'imprisonmentifheisconvicted。Ineithercasewearenotlikelytohavehissonabouthereagain；andifhedidventurebackandbroughtanactionagainstme，hischanceofgettingdamageswouldbeasmallone。\"
Anotherhalf-hour\'sridebroughtthemtotheCedars。Theydismountedatthehouse，andfasteningtheirhorsestotheporticoknockedatthedoor。Itwasopenedbyanegro。
\"Tellyourmaster，\"Vincentsaid，\"thatMr。Wingfieldwishestospeaktohim。\"
AndrewJacksonhimselfcametothedoor。
\"TowhatdoIowetheverygreatpleasureofthisvisit，Mr。
Wingfield？\"hesaidgrimly。
\"IhavecometoaskyouwhatyouhavedonewithDinahMorris，whom，Ihaveeverygroundforbelieving，youhavecausedtobekidnapedfrommymother\'shouse。\"
\"Thisisaseriouscharge，younggentleman，\"AndrewJacksonsaid，\"andonethatIshallcalluponyoutojustifyinthelaw-courts。
MenarenottobechargedwithcriminalactionsevenbyyounggentlemenofgoodVirginianfamilies。\"
\"Ishallbequitereadytomeetyouthere，Mr。Jackson，wheneveryouchoose；butmyvisithereisrathertogiveyouanopportunityofescapingtheconsequencesthatwillfollowyourdetectionastheauthorofthecrime；forIwarnyouthatIwillbringthecrimehometoyou，whateveritcostsmeintimeandmoney。Myofferisthis:
producethewomanandherchild，andnotonlyshallnoprosecutiontakeplace，butIwillremainsilentconcerningafactwhichaffectsthehonorofyourson。\"
AndrewJackson\'sfacehadbeenperfectlyunmovedduringthisconversationuntilheheardtheallusiontohisson。Thenhisfacechangedvisibly。
\"Iknownothingconcerningwhichyoucanattackthehonorofmyson，Mr。Wingfield，\"hesaid，withanefforttospeakasunconcernedlyasbefore。
\"Mychargeisasfollows，\"Vincentsaidquietly:\"IwasimprisonedatElmirawithanumberofotherofficers，amongthemyourson。
Thinkingthatitwastimefortheunpleasantnessthathadbeenexistingbetweenustocometoanend，Iofferedhimmyhand。
Thisheacceptedandwebecamefriends。Ashorttimeafterwardamodeofescapeoffereditselftome，andIprovedthesincerityofmyfeelingstowardhimbyofferingtohimandanotherofficerthemeansofsharingmyescape。Thistheyaccepted。Onceoutsidethewalls，Ifurnishedthemwithdisguisesthathadbeenpreparedforthem，assumingmyselfthatofaminister。Wethenseparated，goingindifferentdirections，Imyselfbeingaccompaniedbymynegroservant，towhosefidelityIowedourescape。TwodaysafterwardananonymouswritercommunicatedtothepolicethefactthatIhadescapedinthedisguiseofaminister，andwasaccompaniedbymyblackservant。Thisfactwasonlyknowntothenegro，myself，andthetwoofficers。Mynegro，whohadreleasedme，wascertainlynotmybetrayer；theotherofficercouldcertainlyhavehadnopossiblemotiveforbetrayingme。Thereremains，therefore，onlyyourson，whosehostilitytomewasnotorious，andwhohadexpressedhimselfwithbitternessagsinstmeonmanyoccasions，andamongothersinthehearingofmyfriendMr。Furnisshere。Suchbeingthecase，itismyintentiontochargehimbeforethemilitaryauthoritieswiththisactoftreachery。But，asIhavesaid，IamwillingtoforegothisandtokeepsilenceastoyourconductwithreferencetomyslaveDinahMorris，ifyouwillrestoreherandherchilduninjuredtothehousefromwhichyoucausedhertobetaken。\"
ThesallowcheeksoftheoldplanterhadgrownashadepalerashelistenedtoVincent\'snarrative，buthenowburstoutinangrytones:
\"Hewdareyou，sir，bringsuchaninfamousaccusationagainstmyson-anaccusation，likethatagainstmyself，whollyunsupportedbyashredofevidence？Doubtlessyournegrohadconfidedtosomeofhisassociateshisplansforassistingyoutoescapefromprison，anditisfromoneofthesethatthedenunciationhascome。Go，sir，reportwhereyouwillwhatliesandfablesyouhaveinvented；butbeassuredthatIandmysonwillseekourcompensationforsuchgrosslibelsinthecourts。\"
\"Verywell，sir，\"Vincentsaid，asbepreparedtomounthishorse；
\"ifyouwilltakethetroubletolookinthepapersto-morrow，youwillseethatyourthreatsofactionforlibelhavenoeffectwhateveruponme。\"
\"Themanisashardasarock，Wingfleld，\"Furnisssaid，astheyrodeofftogether。\"Hewiltedalittlewhenyouweretellingyourstory，butthemomenthesawyouhadnodefiniteproofshewas，asIexpectedhewouldbe，readytodefyyou。Whatshallyoudonow？\"
\"IshallridebackintoRichmondagainandgiveafullaccountofmyescapefromthejail，andstatethatIfirmlybelievethattheinformationastomydisguisewasgivenbyJackson，andthatitwastheresultofapersonalhostilitywhich，asmanyyoungmeninRichmondarewellaware，hasexistedforsometimebetweenus。\"
\"Well，youmustdoasyoulike，Wingfield，butIthinkitwillbeariskybusiness。\"
\"Itmaybeso，\"Vincentsaid；\"butIhavelittledoubtthatlongbeforeJacksonisexchangedI，shallhavediscoveredDinah，andshallprosecuteJacksonfortheftandkidnaping，inwhichcasetheyoungmanwillhardlyventuretoprosecutemeorindeedtoshowhisfaceinthispartofthecountry。\"
Thateveningthetwoyoungofficersstartedforthefront，andthenextmorningtheRichmondpaperscameoatwithasensationalheading，\"AllegedGrossActofTreacheryandIngratitudebyaConfederateOfficer。\"
Itwasthe10thofDecemberwhenVincentjoinedthearmyatFredericksburg。HereportedhimselftoGeneralStuart，whoreceivedhimwithgreatcordiality。
\"Youarejustintime，Wingfield，\"hesaid。\"Ibelievethatinanothertwenty-fourhoursthebattlewillbefought。Theyhaveforthelasttwodaysbeenmovingaboutinfront，andapparentlywantustobelievethattheyintendtocrosssomewherebelowthetown；
butallthenewswegetfromourspiesistotheeffectthattheseareonlyfeintsandthattheyintendtothrowabridgeacrosshere。Weknow，anyhow，theyhavegottwotrainsconcealedopposite，neartheriver。Burnsideislikelytofinditahardnuttocrack。Ofcoursetheyaresuperiorinnumbertous，astheyalwaysare；butaswehavealwaysbeatthemwellonlevelgroundIdonotthinktheirchancesofgettinguptheseheightsarebyanymeanshopeful。
Then，too，theirchangeofcommandersisagainstthem。
