l servants. "Mopsy, see to
having my bed-room got ready; and, Joe, carry up a plenty of wood."

And of course she gave them these directions for the sake of giving
them something to do for herself, which she knew would please them.

Delighted to obey their beloved mistress, they left the room.

Dr. Hart and lawyer Closeby came up to Sybil.

"Let us welcome you home, Mrs. Berners! And you, sir! Words would fail
to express our happiness in seeing you. You arrive in an auspicious hour
too. If you had not come I should have dispatched a special messenger to
Europe after you by the next steamer," said lawyer Closeby, grasping a
hand each of Sybil and Lyon.

"Welcome, my child! Welcome, Sybil! Welcome home! I thank Heaven that I
have lived to see this day. Well may I exclaim with one of old, 'Now,
Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, for I have seen the desire of my
eyes!'" fervently exclaimed old Dr. Hart, as he clasped and shook
Sybil's hands, while the tears of joy filled his eyes.

But Sybil threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, for she could
not speak.

Then he shook hands with Mr. Berners, and warmly welcomed him home.

When the congratulations were all over, and the friends were seated
around the fire, Mr. Closeby drew a parchment packet from his pocket,
and said:

"I told you, Sir, and Madam, that you had arrived in time to prevent my
sending for you. I hold the cause of my words in my hand."

"The confession of Horace Blondelle?" said Mr. Berners, while Sybil
listened eagerly.

"Yes; the confession of Horace Blondelle, _alias_ Captain Inconnu,
_alias_ Satan. This confession must first be read to you, then sent up
to the Governor of Virginia, and finally published to the whole world;
for it fully vindicates your honor, Mrs. Berners."

"At last! thank Heaven!" exclaimed Sybil, while her husband took one of
her hands and pressed it, and her daughter took the other one and kissed
it.

"The writing down of this confession from the lips of the dying man
occupied an hour and a quarter; the reading of it will take perhaps
fifteen minutes. Can you hear it now, or are you too much fatigued with
your journey, and would you prefer to put off the reading until
to-morrow morning?" inquired the lawyer, looking from Sybil to Lyon.

"Put off the reading of that document until to-morrow? By no means! Read
it at once, if you please," replied Mr. Berners, with a glance at his
wife, which she at once understoo