te like the harsh portents of impending ruin; and in the despair and
agony of her distress, she retreated hastily to her chamber, whither she
summoned her female domestics, and gave way to a flood of tears. She was
followed by Mildred, who, touched by the pervading disquiet of the
family, participated in the alarm, and found herself overcome by a
terror which she had never before experienced in all the scenes which
she had lately gone through. Obeying the instinct of her present fears,
our heroine cowered beside her weeping friend, in the midst of the group
of clamorous servants, and awaited in mute solicitude the coming events.

The cavalry had turned aside and halted in front of a barn some distance
from the dwelling-house, and a small party, consisting principally of
officers attended by a sergeant's guard, were immediately afterwards
seen galloping up to the door. The air of exultation exhibited in their
movement, their loud jocularity and frequent laughter, resembled the
burst of gladsome riot with which a party of fox-hunters are wont to
announce the first springing of their game, and gave evidence of the
feelings of men who set little account upon the annoyance they
threatened to a peaceful and unoffending household.

When the officers of the party had dismounted and entered the hall, the
first person they encountered was Sergeant Robinson, who had
thoughtfully posted himself in view of the door; and now, with some
awkward and ungainly bows and scraping of his feet across the floor,
bade them welcome.

"What," said Tarleton, who was at the head of the intruders, "have we
stumbled so soon again upon our shrewd and sensible ox! Wise Master
Stephen Foster, well met! So you are the gentleman-usher to your good
friend, Mrs. Markham! By my faith, the old lady is likely to have the
honors of her house well administered!"

"Your sarvant, sir," said Horse Shoe, again bowing and scraping his foot
with a look of imperturbable gravity. "Mought I ax your honor to stomp
as lightly upon the floor as you can? My young lady is sick up
stairs--and much noise is apt to flurry her narves."

"Tread daintily, gentlemen," said Tarleton, laughing, "for your
gallantry's sake! A lady's nerves are as delicate as the strings of a
harp, and must not be rudely struck. The damsel's page here (pointing to
Horse Shoe), puts down his foot like a most considerate elephant--soft
as a feather, you perceive; and I would by no means have you give