They rode on in silence until they came to a solitary quarter on the outskirts of the plantation. Then Dr. Hardcastle, alighting, gave the reins to Mrs. Garnet, and trudged through the deep mud and pelting rain to the cabin from whence a faint light issued, and the low, sweet sound of a violin was heard. He rapped smartly with the handle of his riding whip. The music ceased, and a voice, which he recognized as belonging to Bob, the driver, called out from within:
“Hoo dar, rappin’ at my door dis onseasonable hour o’ de night?”
“Me, Bob! your old friend, Dr. Hardcastle; open the door and show yourself.”
“Oh, my Gor A’mighty, Marse Magnate, is it you, sure ’nough, come from forrin parts?” ejaculated the old negro, fumbling at the wooden latch and wrenching open the door. “Come in, come in—come in, Marse Magnate, come in. Oh, blessed Lor’! I’m so joyed to see you. How is Miss Elsie! she long o’ you? Come in!”
“No, Bob, I cannot come in. I am going straight on to the house. Elsie is not with me; she is at home, and—well, I can’t come in. I only called by to see you, my old friend, and to ask you if all were well at the house, and if anything new had happened.”
“All well dar, honey, ’deed dey is, fus’ rate. Nuffin new, honey, ’cept ’tis Marse I’on g’wne be marry to Miss Ambush Wylie to-morrow night.”
“Ah! Well, I wrote to General Garnet to say that I was coming to-night; is he expecting me, do you know?”
“’Deed he got de letter, honey, caze I fotch it from de pos’ office myself dis mornin’, an’ de pos’ marser said how it war from out yonder where you gone to. But I never hear General I’on say nuffin ’bout ’spectin’ no one to de weddin’, ’deed I didn’t, honey. Let me run along to de house an’ rouse ’em all up and tell ole marse how you’ve come.”
“No, by no means, Bob. Thank you, good-night,” said Dr. Hardcastle, jumping into the carriage.
“All right, he has received your letter, madam; but has not imparted its contents to anyone. He is doubtless expecting you momentarily; but as no one else is, your sudden appearance would strike a panic to the household, suddenly roused up out of their sleep, or perhaps send them all shrieking from the plantation.”