a small trunk, which Miss Pendleton assured Mr. Berners
he could easily put inside his great sea-chest without crowding out
other things.

Beatrix Pendleton and Minnie Sheridan volunteered to remain at Black
Hall for a few days after the departure of the proprietor, to see that
all things were properly set in order.

Among the last arrangements made was that by which honest Robert Munson,
the young soldier who had befriended Sybil Berners, was appointed
assistant overseer of the plantation, with the use of a cottage and
garden, and with a considerable salary.

All the arrangements for the voyage of Mr. Berners, and the management
of the manor during his absence, were completed that evening.

The next morning Mr. Berners accompanied by his friends, Captain
Pendleton and lawyer Sheridan, set out for Blackville, to meet the
stage-coach for Baltimore.

There, at the stage-office, Mr. Berners took leave of lawyer Sheridan,
but not of Captain Pendleton, who made up his mind, at the last moment,
to accompany him as far as the seaport, and to see him off on his
voyage.

After two days' journey, the friends arrived safely in Baltimore.

On consulting the shipping list, they found the fast sailing clipper
Dispatch, Captain Fleet, advertised to sail for Liverpool the same
afternoon.

Lyon Berners, with his friend, hastened to the agent to secure his
passage, which he was so fortunate as to get.

He had barely time to hurry his luggage on board before the clipper set
sail.

The very last words addressed to Mr. Berners by his friend Captain
Pendleton were these:

"Give our love to Mrs. Berners, and tell her that Beatrix and myself
will follow you soon. Heaven bless you with good luck!"

CHAPTER XXIX.

AFTER THE EXPATRIATION.

And years went by; and the tale at last
Was told as a sorrowful one long past.--MISTLETOE BOUGH.

A week after Lyon Berners went away Captain Pendleton resigned his
commission in the army, placed the management of his estate in the hands
of lawyer Sheridan, and, accompanied by Miss Pendleton, left the
neighborhood for Baltimore, whence he sailed for Liverpool.

After this departure the secret of Sybil's escape was known but to two
persons in the valley--to Mr. Sheridan, whose very profession made him
reticent, and to Miss Tabby, who would have died rather than have
divulged it.

Mr. Sheridan managed the manor, Miss Tabby kept the house, and both
guarded the secret.

But