e turnpike just after 'Lena
struck into it. Thinking it was a servant, he was about to pass her,
when her horse sheered at something on the road-side, and
involuntarily she exclaimed, "Courage, Dido, there's nothing to fear."

Instantly he recognized her voice, and was about to overtake and
speak to her, but thinking that her mission was a secret one, or she
would not be there alone, he desisted. Still he could not leave her
thus. Her safety might be endangered, and reining in his steed, and
accommodating his pace to hers, he followed without her knowledge.
On she went until she reached the avenue leading to "Sunnyside," as
Captain Atherton termed his residence, and there she stopped, going
on foot to the house, while, hidden by the deep darkness Durward
waited and watched.

Half timidly 'Lena rang the door-bell, dropping her veil over her
face that she might not be recognized. "I want to see your master,"
she said to the woman who answered her ring, and who in some
astonishment replied, "Bless you, miss, Mas'r Atherton done gone to
Lexington and won't be home till to-morry."

"Gone!" repeated 'Lena in a disappointed tone. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Is you the new miss what's comin' here to live?" asked the negro,
who was Captain Atherton's house keeper.

Instantly the awkwardness of her position flashed upon 'Lena, but
resolving to put a bold face on the matter, she removed her veil,
saying, playfully, "You know me now, Aunt Martha."

"In course I do," answered the negro, holding up both hands in
amazement, "but what sent you here this dark, unairthly night?"

"Business with your master," and then suddenly remembering that among
her own race Aunt Martha was accounted an intolerable gossip, she
began to wish she had not come.

But it could not now be helped, and turning away, she walked slowly
down the avenue, wondering what the result would be. Again they were
in motion, she and Durward, who followed until he saw her safe home,
and then, glad that no one had seen her but himself, he retraced his
steps, pondering on the mystery which he could not fathom. After
'Lena left Sunnyside, a misty rain came on, and by the time she
reached her home, her long riding-dress was wet and drizzled, the
feathers on her cap were drooping, and to crown all, as she was
crossing the hall with stealthy step, she came suddenly upon her
aunt, who, surprised at her appearance, demanded of her where she had
been. But 'Lena refused