of the prison might have better prepared her to
meet the horrors of a trial for life, than this peaceful, bright home
staying had done.

Yes, the contrast between her surroundings and her impending ordeal
seemed an awful mockery of fate!

She knew that the court would open for the spring term that day; but she
did not know that she would be wanted so soon.

They were all at breakfast that morning in the cheerful front parlor.

Mr. and Mrs. Berners, their protege Raphael, their little adopted
baby-boy Cromartie, who always sat in a high chair beside his
benefactress, Beatrix Pendleton who was resolved to stay with Sybil to
the last, and Tabitha Winterose who sat at the head of the table to
serve out the coffee and tea, because Sybil had said that everything
tasted better coming from "Old Tabby's" hand--these were all gathered
around the table, when Sheriff Fortescue was announced and entered the
room.

"You have come for me!" said Sybil, in a low, terrified tone, as she
arose from her seat before any one else could move or speak.

"Resume your seat, Mrs. Berners, and finish your breakfast. There is no
hurry," answered the old gentleman, as calmly as he could.

Then he saluted the party, shook hands with Mr. Berners, and accepted
the seat offered him by Joe.

"She is wanted this morning?" inquired Mr. Berners, in a low voice.

The sheriff bowed gravely in assent.

Sybil had been kindly pressed to resume her seat and finish her
breakfast. She sank back into her chair indeed, but could not eat
another morsel. Nor could any one else at the table, not even poor
little Cro', who saw by the faces of all around that something terrible
had happened, or was about to do so.

The meal was at an end. The breakfast party arose in trepidation.

"Is she wanted now, immediately?" hastily inquired Lyon Berners.

The sheriff again bowed in assent, but added:

"I do not wish to hurry her."

"I will not keep you waiting, Mr. Fortescue," said Sybil, trying to
steady her voice, as she prepared to leave the room.

But here little Cro', who had been watching every body anxiously, found
out by some process of his own that the terrible thing which was going
to happen threatened Sybil, and he slid down from his high chair at the
risk of breaking his limbs, and ran to her and clung to her dress.

"Take him away, Miss Tabby! Sybil is going to Blackville, Cro', and she
will bring Cro' some candy, when she comes back," she said, ten