to
Accomac, and exert his own influence with the Governor in procuring the
pardon of the unhappy Hansford.

"Now that's as it should be," said the old lady, gratified at this
renewed assurance of her ascendency over her husband. "And now,
Virginia, cheer up. All will be right, my dear, for your father has
great influence with the Governor--and, indeed, well he might have, for
he has received kindness enough at our hands in times past. I should
like to see him refuse your father a favour. And I will write a note to
Lady Frances myself, for all the world knows that she is governor and
all with her husband."

"Ladies generally are," said the Colonel, with a smile, which however
could not disguise the sincerity with which he uttered the sentiment.

"Oh, no, not at all," retorted the old lady, bridling up. "You are
always throwing up your obedience to me, and yet, after all said and
done, you have your own way pretty much, too. But you are not decent to
go anywhere. Do, pray, Colonel Temple, pay more respect to society, and
fix yourself up a little. Put on your blue coat and your black stock,
and dress your hair, and shave, and look genteel for once in your life."
Then, seeing by the patient shrug of her good old husband that she had
wounded his feelings, she patted him tenderly on the shoulder, and
added, "You know I always love to see you nice and spruce, and when you
do attend to your dress, and fix up, I know of none of them that are
equal to you. Do you, Virginia?"

Before the good Colonel had fully complied with all the toilet
requisitions of his wife, the carriage was ready to take the travellers
to Tindal's Point, where there was luckily a small sloop, just under
weigh for Accomac. And Virginia, painfully alternating between hope and
fear, but sustained by a consciousness of duty, was borne away across
the broad Chesapeake, on her pious pilgrimage, to move by her tears and
prayers the vindictive heart of the stern old Governor.

CHAPTER XLV.

"Why, there's an end then! I have judged deliberately, and the
result is death." _The Gamester._

Situated, as nearly as might be, in the centre of each of the counties
of Virginia, was a small settlement, which, although it aspired to the
dignity of a town, could scarcely deserve the name. For the most part,
these little country towns, as they were called, were composed of about
four houses, to wit: The court house, dedicated t