It was some time before I could convince him who I was, but as soon as he could get his scattered wits together his delight was unbounded, and he came down from his elevated perch to an accompaniment of rattling tinware.
I soon learned that when my aunt found she would be detained indefinitely, she had sent back word for all the servants to go to a neighboring plantation, which they had all done with the exception of Ned, who had staid behind intending to make his way to me and beg me to keep him for my body servant, an office he had always desired.
While Ned prepared and served me with a breakfast, which I insisted on taking in the kitchen, he gave me the family news and told me all about the death of his wife, which had occurred a few weeks before.
After I had finished my meal and Ned had fed my horse, he brought out the keys from their place of concealment, and if I would have permitted him to do so, would have thrown open the whole house in my honor. Much to his disappointment, I dared not allow him to unclose a single shutter or even turn the slats, except at the back of the house. I explained to him that it must still present a closed appearance to any chance observer, and that no one must know that I was there.
We entered the house and proceeded through the long, dusky hall and up the wide stairs to the second story. After Ned had gathered everything necessary to my comfort into the room which I occupied whenever I was at S——, and which was always left undisturbed in my absence, he left me.
CHAPTER VII.
Weary as I was I yet had something to do before I could take the needed rest, which every atom in my jaded frame was loudly demanding.
The time had come to test the feasibility of the plan which had flashed into my mind as I sat in General Foster's tent, and which I had thought over and elaborated along the way.