was led up the aisle, between the rows of benches usually
occupied by spectators, one of the gentlemen turned around, and to her
joy and amazement, revealed the countenance of Lyon Berners. If the dead
had risen before her, Sybil could scarcely have been more astounded. He,
from whose bleeding and insensible body, she had been torn away,
scarcely five days before, now stood before her, ill, pale, faint, but
living. His head was bound up with a white linen bandage as, leaning on
the arm of Captain Pendleton, he came to meet her.

"Oh, my dear Sybil!"

"My dearest Lyon!"

These were the words with which they greeted each other.

"Now, my friends, leave all this until you return together to Black
Hall. Now we must not keep the court waiting, but proceed to business,"
said Mr. Sheridan, taking the hand of his client, and drawing it again
through his arm, as he led her up to a table that stood before the bar
and upon which was spread out a formidable looking piece of parchment
heavily engrossed.

"Here is the bond by which you enter, with your husband, with Captain
Pendleton and Miss Beatrix Pendleton, into a recognizance for your
appearance at court when called to trial. The amount of bail is high,
fifty thousand dollars! But I fancy you are good for that," said the
young lawyer.

Sybil smiled gravely, and when the pen was put into her hand, signed her
name.

Her signature was followed by those of Lyon Berners, Clement Pendleton,
and Beatrix Pendleton.

And the bond being duly sealed and delivered, Sybil was informed that
she was free to depart.

Free to depart! No more need of flying and hiding! Free to go home, to
sit down in peace by her own dear fireside, to lie down and repose on
her own comfortable bed! Free to depart! Free to go home! Oh, joy!
Sybil, in her delight, forgot that the darkest thunder-cloud of fate
still lowered in the sky, threatening to break in destruction on her
head!

Disregarding all forms, she was about to go up to the bench to pour
forth her thanksgivings to her old friend Judge Ruthven, when her
husband laid his hand upon her shoulder and stopped her, whispering:

"Remember, dearest, that we are in court, and govern yourself. We shall
see the Judge at the hotel."

So Sybil merely courtesied to the bench, and gave her hand to her
husband, who pressed it warmly, and then passed it over to Mr. Sheridan,
who led her from the court-room.

Lyon Berners, supported by Captain Pendleto