“Excuse me one moment, and I will ask,” the mother said, leaving the room.

She returned shortly to say that Wilkins had consented that Dr. Barton should be summoned; accepted Mrs. Travilla’s kind offer with thanks.

Elsie at once sent her servant and carriage upon the errand, and meanwhile engaged in conversation with her hostess.  It was principally an account by the latter of her son’s illness.

His sufferings, she said, had been intense:  at first borne with fierce impatience and muttered imprecations upon the hand that had inflicted the wound.  He had likened himself to a caged tiger, so unbearable was the confinement to him,—­almost more so than the torturing pain—­but of late a great change had come over him; he had grown quiet and submissive, and the bitter hate seemed to have died out of his heart.

“As it has out of mine, I hope,” continued the mother, the big tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I am now sensible that the feelings I have indulged against some persons—­the Lelands principally—­were most unchristian, and I hope the Lord has helped me to put them away.  It has been hard for us to see strangers occupying our dear old home; and yet it was certainly no fault of theirs that we were compelled to give it up.”

“That is all true,” Elsie said, “I think I can understand both your feelings and theirs, but they are dear good Christian people, and I assure you bear you no ill-will.”

“Ah, is that so?  I am told Leland has not really gone North, as was supposed, but has returned to the plantation since—­since the coming of the troops.”

“He has, and is nearly recovered from his wound.”

“He was wounded, then?”

“Yes, pretty badly.”

“And was in hiding somewhere; and his wife staying on alone with her children and servants?  I wonder she had the courage.”

“She put her trust in the Lord, as I believe both you and I do, my dear Mrs. Foster; and he has not failed her.”

Mrs. Foster mused sadly for a moment.  “I have felt hard to her,” she murmured at length, in low, trembling tones; “and she a Christian, whom I should love for the Master’s sake, and it was quite natural for her to—­defend her husband and children.  I should have done the same for mine.”

She had not mentioned when or where Wilkins had received his wound, but Elsie knew now that it was at Fairview and that Mrs. Leland’s or Archie’s hand had sped the bullet that had done such fearful work.

Dr. Barton came:  Mrs. Foster went with him to the sick-room and Elsie lingered, anxious to hear his opinion of the case.

But Annie came hurrying in with her tear-swollen face.  “Dear Mrs. Travilla, won’t you come too?” she sobbed.  “Mamma will be so glad; and—­and Wilkins begs you will come.”

Elsie rose and put her arm about the waist of the weeping girl.  “I will gladly do all I can for him, your mamma or any of you,” she whispered.