第11章
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。