ely.

Your affectionate Aunt,
Maria Pinckney.

She read the note over. If all went well then everything would be well. If
the worst occurred then she could explain everything to Richard.

It was a desperate gamble; well she knew how the dice were loaded against
her, but the game had to be played out to the very last moment.

Already she had stopped the mouth of slander by her prompt action with
Colonel Grangerson's coloured man, but she well knew how coloured servants
talk; Grangerson's man was safe enough, he was frightened and he would
have to get back to Grangerville. Rachel was absolutely safe, Dinah alone
was doubtful.

She called Rachel in, gave her the note for Richard and told her to keep a
close eye on Dinah.

"Don't let her get talking to any one," said Miss Pinckney, "and when Mr.
Richard comes in give him that note yourself. If he asks about Miss Phyl,
say she came back and went with me. You understand, Rachel, Miss Phyl has
done a foolish thing, but there's no harm in it, only what fools will make
of it if they get chattering. No one must know, not even Mr. Richard."

"I'll see to that, Miss Pinckney, an' if I catch Dinah openin' her mouth
to say more'n 'potatoes' I'll dress her down so's she won't know which end
of her's which."

Miss Pinckney went upstairs, dressed hurriedly, packed a few things in a
bag and the automobile being now at the door, started.

It was after one o'clock when she reached Grangersons.

Just as on the day when she had arrived with Phyl, Colonel Grangerson,
hearing the noise of the car, came out to inspect.

He came down the steps, hat in hand, saw the occupant, started back, and
then advanced to open the door.

"Why, God bless my soul, it's you," cried the Colonel. "What has
happened?"

Miss Pinckney without a word got out and went up the steps with him.

In the hall she turned to him.

"Where is Silas?"

"Silas," replied the Colonel. "I haven't seen him since he went to
Charleston to attend some dance or another. What on earth is the matter
with you, Maria?"

"Come in here," said Miss Pinckney. She went into the drawing room and
they shut the door.

"Silas has run away with Phyl," said she, "that's what's the matter with
me. Your son has taken that girl off, Seth Grangerson, and may God have
mercy upon him."

"The red-headed girl?" said the Colonel.

"Phyl," re