hom the command devolved after his captain was
disabled, lost no time in reporting to the lieutenant-colonel.

Augustus stood up to receive the report and the prisoners,--extremely
pale, but appearing preternaturally courteous and composed. He bowed
very low to the old clergyman (who, he forgot, could not witness and
appreciate that graceful act of homage), and expressed infinite regret
that "his duty had rendered it necessary," and so forth. Then turning to
Virginia, whose look was scarcely less stony than that of her dead
sister in the cave, he bowed low to her also, but without speaking, and
without raising his eyes to her face.

"Have this old gentleman carried to his own house, and see that every
attention is paid to him."

"And my daughter?" said the blind old man, meekly.

"She shall follow you. I will myself accompany her."

"And my dead child up yonder?"

"She shall be brought to you at the earliest possible moment."

"And my faithful servant?"

"He shall be cared for."

"Thank you." And Mr. Villars bowed his white head upon his breast.

"Take the captain immediately to the hospital! And you fellow with the
hacked wrist, go with him."

The number of men required to execute these orders (since both the old
clergyman and the wounded captain had to be carried) left Augustus
almost alone with Virginia. Having previously sent off all his available
force to Ropes at the sink, in answer to a pressing call for
reenforcements, he had now only the sergeant and two men at his beck.
But perhaps this was as he wished it to be. He approached Virginia, and,
bowing formally, still without speaking, offered her his arm.

"Thank you. I can walk without assistance." Like marble still, but with
the same wild fire in her eyes. "The only favor I ask of you is to be
permitted to leave you."

Bythewood made a motion to the sergeant, who removed his men farther
off.

"I wish to have a few words of conversation with you, Miss Villars. I
beg you to be seated here in the shade."

Virginia remained standing, regarding him with features pale and firm as
when she held the axe. It was evident to her that here was another
struggle before her, scarcely less to be dreaded than the first.
Augustus looked at her, and smiled pallidly.

"If eyes could kill, Miss Villars, I think yours would kill me!"

"If polite cruelty can kill, YOU HAVE killed my sister!"

"O, I beg your pardon, dear Miss Villars, but it was not I!"

"I beg