"Not exactly," replied Sybil, truthfully but evasively; for though she was still firmly resolved to give herself up to justice, she had changed her plan of proceeding.
"Ah!" commented the captain, with an expression that proved how much he had mistaken the lady's meaning—"ah! I thought a night's repose and a morning's cool reflection would bring you to a more rational consideration of the question."
Sybil answered his smile, but left him in his error, and presently said to him:
"Captain, I have a question to ask you."
"Proceed, madam! I am entirely at your commands," said the captain with a bow.
"Supposing that I had remained in the same mind that I was in yesterday, and that I still persisted in my purpose of leaving your band, and giving myself up to take my trial, would you have assisted me, or would you have hindered me?"
"Mrs. Berners, your purpose was a suicidal one! Your question means simply this: If you were bent upon self-destruction, would I help you or hinder you in your determination? Of course there can be but one answer to such a question. I should employ every power of my mind and body to prevent you from destroying yourself."
That was all Sybil wanted to know. She felt now that her only hope was in the boy.
Smilingly she arose and excused herself to the captain, who soon after left the room.
But not until she knew that he had mounted his horse and ridden away from the house, did Mrs. Berners begin to put her plan in practice.