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knew some of the drivers and pulled up to say a few words to
them。 After a twenty…mile drive they stopped at another farm；
where their friend's introduction ensured them as cordial a
welcome as that upon the preceding evening。 So step by step they
journeyed on； escorted in almost every case by their host of the
night before and meeting with no interruption。 Once they passed a
strong body of Federal cavalry； but these supposing that the party
belonged to the neighborhood asked no questions； and at last； after
eight days' traveling； they passed two posts which marked the
boundary between Tennessee and Alabama。
For the last two days they had been beyond the point to which the
Federal troops had penetrated。 They now felt that all risk was at
an end。 Another day's journey brought them to a railwaystation；
and they learned that the trains were running as usual； although
somewhat irregular as to the hours at which they came along or as
to the time they took upon their journey。 The contents of the cart
had been left at the farm at which they stopped the night before；
and Vincent had now no difficulty in disposing of the horse and
cart； as he did not stand out for price； but took the first offer made。
Two hours later a train came along； and the party were soon on
their way to the east。 After many hours' traveling they reached
Rome； in Georgia； and then proceeded by the southern line a few
miles to Macon； at which place they alighted and hired a
conveyance to take them to Antioch； near which place Lucy's
relatives resided。
The latter part of the journey by rail had been a silent one。 Lucy
felt none of the pleasure that she had expected at finding herself
safely through her dangers and upon the point of joining relations
who would be delighted to see her； and she sat looking blankly out
of the window at the surrounding country。 At last Vincent； who
had been half an hour without speaking； said。
Are you sorry our journey is just over； Lucy ？〃
The girl's lip quivered； but she did not speak for a moment。 〃Of
course it is unpleasant saying good…by when people have been
together for some time；〃 she said with an effort。
〃I hope it will not be good…by for long；〃 he said。 〃I shall he back
here as soon as this horrible war is over。〃
〃What for？〃 the girl asked； looking round in surprise。 〃You live a
long way from here； and you told me you knew nobody in these
parts。〃
I know you；〃 Vincent said； 〃and that is quite enough。 Do you not
know that I love you？〃
The girl gave a start of surprise； her cheek flushed； but her eyes did
not drop as she looked frankly at him。
〃No； Vin；〃 she said after a pause； 〃I never once thought you loved
me； never once。 You have not been a bit like what I thought
people were when they felt like that。〃
〃I hope not； Lucy。 I was your protector then； that is to say when
you were not mine。 Your position has been trying enough； and I
should have been a blackguard if I had made it more
uncomfortable than it was by showing you that I cared for you。 I
have tried my best to be what people thought me…your brother； but
now that you are just home and among your own people； I think I
may speak and tell you how I feel toward you and how I have
loved you since the moment I first saw you。 And you； Lucy； do
you think you could care for me？〃
〃Not more than I do now； Vin。 I love you with all my heart。 I have
been trying so hard to believe that I didn't； because I thought you
did not care for me that way。〃
For some minutes no further word was spoken。 Vin cent was the
first to speak：
〃It is horrid to have to sit here in this stiff； unnatural way； Lucy；
when one is inclined to do something outrageous from sheer
happiness。 These long； open cars； where people can see from end
to end what every one is doing； are hateful inventions。 It is
perfectly absurd； when one finds one's self the happiest fellow
living； that one is obliged to look as demure and solemn as if one
was in church。〃
〃Then you should have waited； sir；〃 the girl said。
〃I meant to have waited； Lucy； until I got to your home； but
directly I felt that there was no longer any harm in my speaking；
out it came； but it's very hard to have to wait for hours perhaps。〃
〃To wait for what？〃 Lucy asked demurely。
〃You must wait for explanations until we are alone； Lucy。 And
now I think the train begins to slacken； and it is the next station at
which we get out。〃
〃I think； Lucy；〃 Vincent said； when they approached the house of
her relatives； 〃you and Chloe had better get out end go in by
yourselves and tell your story。 Dan and I will go to the inn； and I
will come round in an hour。 If we were to walk in together like
this it would be next to impossible for you to explain how it all
came about。〃
〃I think that would be the best plan。 My two aunts are the kindest
creatures possible； but no doubt they will be bewildered at seeing
me so suddenly。 I do think it would be best to let me have a talk
with them and tell them all about it before you appear upon the
scene。〃
〃Very well； then； in an hour I will come in。
When they arrived at the gate； therefore； Vincent helped Lucy and
Chloe to alight； and then jumping into the buggy again told the
driver to take him to the inn。
Having engaged a room and indulged in a thorough wash Vincent
sallied out into the little town； and was fortunate enough to
succeed in purchasing a suit of tweed clothes； which； although
they scarcely fitted him as if they had been made for him； were
still an immense improvement upon the rough clothes in which he
had traveled。 Returning to the hotel he put on his new purchases；
and then walked to the house of Lucy's aunts； which was a quarter
of a mile outside the town。
Lucy had walked up the little path through the garden in front of
the house； and turning the handle of the door had entered
unannounced and walked straight into the parlor。 Two elderly
ladies rose with some surprise at the entry of a strange visitor。 It
was three years since she had paid her last visit there； and for a
moment they did not recognize her。
〃Don't you know me； aunts？〃
〃Why； goodness me！〃 the eldest exclaimed； 〃if it isn't our little
Lucy grown into a woman！ My dear child； where have you sprung
from？〃 And the two ladies warmly embraced their niece； who； as
soon as they released her from their arms； burst into a fit of crying；
and it was some time before she could answer the questions
showered upon her。
〃It is nothing； aunts；〃 she said at last； wiping her eyes； 〃but I am so
glad to be with you again； and I have gone through so much； and I
am so happy； and it is so nice being with you again。 Here is Chloe
waiting to speak to you； aunts。 She has come with me all the
way。〃
The old negress； who had been waiting in the passage； was now
called in。
〃Why； Chloe； you look no older than w