“That old fellow is in his dotage!” growled Captain Pendleton to himself, as he tenderly lifted the head and shoulders of all that remained of poor Rosa Blondelle. But at the touch of her cold form, the sight of her still face, tears of pity sprang into the young soldier’s eyes. Rosa had been a fine woman, and her body was now no light weight. It took the united strength of Captain Pendleton and Mr. Berners to bear it properly from the parlor to the chamber, where they laid it on the bed, and left it to the care of Sybil and Miss Tabby, who had followed them.
Mr. Berners then pulled the Captain into an empty room and whispered hoarsely:
“Did I understand you to tell the Judge that you had sent a messenger for the coroner?”
“Yes; but mind, I sent an old man on an old mule. It will be many hours before he reaches Blackville; many more before the coroner gets here. Good Heaven! Berners, I had to do that! Don’t you see the awful danger of your innocent wife?” exclaimed Captain Pendleton, in an agitated voice.
“Don’t I see it? I am not mad, or blind. But you, in the face of this overwhelming evidence—you believe her to be innocent?” demanded Lyon Berners, in a tone of agonized entreaty.
“I know her to be innocent! I have known her from her infancy. She might have flown at a rival, and torn her to pieces, in a frenzy of passion; but she could never have struck a secret blow,” answered Captain Pendleton, emphatically.
“Thanks! Oh, thanks for your faith in her!” exclaimed Lyon Berners, earnestly.
“But now! Do you not see what is to be done? She must be got out of the house before the coroner or any officer of justice arrives,” said Captain Pendleton, earnestly.
“Oh, this is so sudden and terrible! It is an avalanche—an earthquake! It crushes me. It deprives me of reason!” groaned Lyon Berners, sinking into a chair, and covering his face with his hands.
“Lyon, my friend, arouse yourself! Rise above this agony of despair, if you would save your imperilled wife! She must fly from this house within an hour, and you must accompany her,” urged Captain Pendleton.