forms that shifted below him.

Mrs. Carroll was unabashed.

"Dr. Morgan is an old and tried friend of mine and of all my family. He
has seen life come and go at Oakwood. He rejoiced with us at Sydney's
birth, and he was my chief help and support when her father and mother
left us two here together, alone."

With a certain tenderness--the yearning that a man feels to protect the
feeble and the helpless--Friedrich turned his softened eyes towards
her.

"I tell you this because I can say truthfully that I know him to be
faithful in friendship and incapable of treachery."

Friedrich turned again with tightened lips to his contemplation of the
meadow.

"We heard of your being summoned to court and for what purpose."

Mrs. Carroll stopped, for a grayness settled over the young man's face,
and the eyes that he turned upon hers were filled with horror.

"You had forgotten?"

"Yes, I had forgotten."

All the pride went out of him, as the fading of the sun's flush leaves
the evening clouds without illumination and dull.

"I had for-rgotten, but now I r-remember. It comes back to me. Yes, now
I r-remember all--all."

He turned away his face both from her and from the field below, and
rested his cheek on his hand. Mrs. Carroll noticed the thinness of his
wrist, and her heart misgave her.

"Shall I go on?"

"If it please you."

"Bob Morgan went into Asheville to follow your career in behalf of all
your friends here."

Von Rittenheim's head fell lower.

"He was in the court-room when you were----"

The old lady hesitated and watched von Rittenheim sharply. She was
doubtful of his strength after all.

"When I was--yes, continue, please," he said, with muffled voice.

"When you were sentenced."

She hastened on, pretending not to hear the groan that followed her
revelation.

"He galloped out here at once as fast as he could, and told us about
it--his father and me. He feared an illness for you then--you looked
not yourself, he said. We decided that it was best for you to come here
to Oakwood. We could not bear to think of your going to the hospital."

Friedrich felt vaguely across the table for the plump little hand of
his hostess, and pressed it blindly.

"They drove into town that same afternoon, Dr. Morgan in our carriage,
and Bob in his buggy, and found you in the--found you very ill."

"Found me where?"

"You were delirious even then."

"Found me where?"

Friedrich pushed aside the cups and