able to clear up this matter, by referring to
the extraordinary conjuncture of circumstances that surrounded her. It
was no secret that she fervently, and with her whole heart,--yea even
with a fanatical worship,--loved the man she sought. Her affection had
been nursed in solitude, and, like a central fire, glowed with a fervid
heat, unobserved at first, silent and steady: and by degrees her
enthusiasm spread its coloring over the passion, and raised it into a
fanciful but solemn self-dedication. This warmth of feeling might still
have been witnessed only within her family precinct, had it not been
that, at a most critical moment, when her father's absence from the Dove
Cote left her without other resource than her own unaided counsel, she
was made acquainted that her lover's life was in imminent peril, and
that a word from her might perhaps avert his doom. We have seen with
what anxious alacrity she set forth in that emergency upon her
pilgrimage of duty; and how, as she became familiar with hardship and
danger, her constancy and resolution still took a higher tone, growing
more vigorous even with the impediments that lay across her path. This
may seem strange to our peace-bred dames,--and little congruous with
that feminine reserve and shrinkingness which we are wont to praise: but
war, distress, and disaster work miracles in the female bosom, and
render that virtuous and seemly, which ease and safety might repel.
Nature is a wise and cunning charmer, and, in affliction, makes that
forwardness not unlovely, which in tranquil and happy times she would
visit with her censure. If these considerations do not suffice to
explain the present movements of my heroine, I must beg my reader to
have patience to the end, when, peradventure, he will find a still
better reason.

When morning came, Mildred was up with the first blush of light. Her
thoughts had dwelt with a busy restlessness upon the late intelligence,
and she had slept only in short and disturbed intervals. She was
impatient to be again upon the road.

Accordingly, as soon as the preparations for their journey could be
made, our party, now increased by the addition of Musgrove and his
daughter, set forward on their travel towards Burk Court House.

This journey was protracted through several days. The disturbed state of
the country, produced by the active hostilities which were now renewed,
made it prudent for our wayfarers frequently to halt amongst the
friendly