ndition! But, alas! what can we do. As Mrs.
Ballard truly says, our best course is to endeavour to move the coarse
sympathies of these rebels, and even if they should not relent, they
will at least render our condition less fearful by their forbearance and
respect. Oh, my mother! my only friend in this dark hour of peril and
misfortune, think not so harshly of your daughter as to suppose that she
feels less acutely the horrors of her situation, because she fails to
express her fears." And so saying, the poor girl drew yet closer to her
mother, and wept upon her bosom.

"I meant not to speak unkindly, dear Jeanie," said the good-hearted old
lady, "but you know, my child, that when my fears get the better of me,
I am not myself. It does seem to me, that I was born under some unlucky
star. Ever since I was born the world has been turning upside down; and
God knows, I don't know what I have done that it should be so. But
first, that awful revolution in England, and then, when we came here to
pass our old days in peace and quiet, this infamous rebellion. And yet I
must say, I never knew any thing like this. There was at least some show
of religion among the old Roundheads, and though they were firm and
demure enough, and hated all kinds of amusement, and cruel enough too
with all their psalm singing, to cut off their poor king's head, yet
they always treated women with respect and decency. But, indeed, even
the rebels of the present day are not what they used to be."

Virginia could scarcely forbear smiling, amid her tears, at this new
application of her mother's favourite theory. The conversation was here
interrupted by the approach of a young officer, who, bowing respectfully
to the bevy of captive ladies, said politely, that he was sorry to
intrude upon their presence, but that, as it was time to pursue their
journey, he had come to ask if the ladies would partake of some
refreshment before their ride.

"If they could share the rough fare of a soldier, it would bestow a
great favour and honour upon him to attend to their wishes; and indeed,
as it would be several hours before they could reach Jamestown, they
would stand in need of some refreshment, ere they arrived at more
comfortable quarters."

"As your unhappy prisoners, sir," said Mrs. Ballard, with great dignity,
"we can scarcely object to a soldier's fare. Prisoners have no choice
but to take the food which the humanity of their jailers sets before
them. Your ap