n and angry broil. Mildred was the
first to discern the two young men as they were dragged violently
across the open space in front of the mansion by the crowd, and to hear
the threats with which this movement was accompanied.

"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed, "they have laid hands upon Henry and
Alfred--they will kill my brother, my dear brother!" Almost frantic at
the danger that threatened Henry and his companion, she fled
precipitately down the stair-case, and in a moment stood confronted with
Colonel Tarleton and his soldiers.

"Never fear, sister," cried out Henry, who was already brought into the
hall, as he saw Mildred descending the stairs. "Don't be alarmed for
either Alfred or me. We are ready to confess what we did and why we did
it--and Colonel Tarleton, if he is a true man, will not dare to say we
did wrong."

"I charge you, Colonel Tarleton," said Mildred with a firm but excited
voice, "as the soldier of a Christian nation, to save the people of this
house from an inhuman and most wicked outrage. I implore you as an
officer who would be esteemed valiant--and as a gentleman who would fly
from dishonor--to rescue your name from the disgrace of this barbarous
violence. For the sake of mercy--spare us--spare us!"

As she uttered this last ejaculation her spirit yielded to the vehemence
of her feelings, and she flung herself upon her knee at the feet of the
commander. "Oh, sir, do not let harm fall upon my brother. I know not
what he has done, but he is thoughtless and rash."

"Mildred," said Henry, immediately rushing to his sister, and lifting
her from the floor, "why should you kneel before him, or any man here?
This is no place for you--get back to your room." Then turning to
Tarleton, he continued, "Alfred Markham and I tried to shoot down your
men, because we saw them breaking the tomb. If it was to do over again
our hands are ready."

"They have insulted the memory of my father," exclaimed Alfred,
"trampled upon his grave, and broken the stone that covers him--I aimed
to kill the drunken coward who did it. That I say, sir, to your face."

Tarleton, for a space, seemed to be bewildered by the scene. He looked
around him, as if hesitating what course to pursue, and once or twice
made an effort to obtain silence in the hall; but the tumult of many
voices in angry contention still continued. At last he presented his
hand to Mildred, and with a courteous action conducted her to a chair,
then begged