r eyes were also keenly watching, and
I did not return her gaze.

'Not ransomed,' Miss Jenrys said, 'not yet; there has been an offer of
some sort, a proposition, I understand;' and she turned to Lossing and
began to question him about his health, and then, before the Frenchman
could renew his queries, began telling them both of a recent letter
from her New York aunt, full, it would seem, of bits of society news,
and mention of persons known to herself, Lossing, and Voisin; and she
was so well aided by her aunt and Lossing, not to mention myself, that
there was no renewal of the former subject, and after a very short
call Monsieur Voisin made his adieus, expressed 'the keenest pleasure'
at having encountered Mr. Lossing in Chicago, and his determination to
see more of him.

When the door had closed behind him I arose, and without a word of
explanation crossed the two rooms, and, peering out through the little
bay-window overlooking the street, saw Monsieur Voisin standing upon
the pavement outside, and casting slow glances, first up and then down
the street; after which he walked briskly southward.

There was no need of an explanation where those three were concerned,
and I made none. No one referred to Monsieur Voisin, his visit, or his
interest in the Trent disappearance, and nothing was said for a time
concerning the letter which was foremost in Miss Jenrys' mind and in
mine.

For half an hour I conversed with Miss Ross and left the lovers to an
uninterrupted chat; at the end of that time Lossing took his leave. As
yet he had heard but the briefest outlines of the Trent affair; but in
spite of my own request that he would remain and make one at our
councils, he withdrew, declaring himself under orders to keep early
hours.

I let him go without uneasiness, for was not Dave Brainerd lurking
somewhere very near, and very much to be relied upon?

He had said good-bye to the little Quakeress in the back parlour, and
then Miss Jenrys and myself had walked with him the length of the two
small rooms, bidding him goodnight at the door.

As the street-door was heard to close behind him, Miss Jenrys turned
to me, caught my arm, and said quickly, beseechingly:

'Mr. Masters, won't you follow him home? I--I have a strange feeling
that he is not safe. It is not far, and it is early. Can you not come
back--please?

There was no hesitation, no blushes; she spoke like a woman forgetful
of self in her anxiety for another;