e home and
take supper with me," said Sybil, as she was about to be led away.

Captain Pendleton did not answer her, but gazed on her as if his heart
was about to break.

"Don't look at me so, Clement. You must think I am sick; but I am
not--only tired and stupid. I hope Tabby will have supper ready when we
get home," said Sybil, with a faint smile, as they led her off.

Captain Pendleton followed quickly, and touched Lyon Berners on the
shoulder.

They exchanged glances.

"Oh, Heaven! Is this so?" whispered the captain, with a glance towards
Sybil.

"It is so," answered Lyon Berners.

"This affliction added to all the rest!"

"It is better, much better thus. She does not suffer now. Thank Heaven
for this veil of insanity drawn between her and the horrors to come!
Pray heaven that she may never come to her senses while she lives in
this world," muttered Lyon Berners.

Captain Pendleton stepped back and gave his sister his arm.

"You will go with her to the prison?" he inquired.

"Yes, and stay with her there, if I may be permitted," answered Beatrix,
who was weeping bitterly.

"My dear, my noble sister! how I admire and thank you!" fervently
exclaimed Clement Pendleton, as he led her after Sybil.

A storm had been gathering all the afternoon. It had not been noticed by
the people, whose attention had been swallowed up in the absorbing
interest of the trial. But now, as they reached the open doors, the
storm burst in thunder on the air, and the rain fell in torrents.

Many of the people retreated into the court-room to wait until the
weather should be clear, or they should be able to procure umbrellas.

But our unhappy party went boldly out into the rain.

Sybil's carriage had been waiting, as on the preceding evening, to take
her home. It was to be employed now to take her somewhere else.

"I am glad of this storm," said Mr. Berners, after he had put his wife
into her seat, and while he was holding the door open for Beatrix, whom
her brother had just led up. "I am very glad of this storm."

"Why?" inquired Captain Pendleton.

"Because it will enable me to humor the delusion of my poor Sybil."

"How?"

"By persuading her that the storm makes it necessary for us to stop at
the house of an acquaintance," hastily explained Lyon Berners, as he put
Beatrix into the seat next Sybil.

Then he took the third seat and Mr. Fortescue, as the custodian of
Sybil, took the fourth.

Captain Pendleton mount