"Thank Heaven!" fervently exclaimed Beatrix. "But why not the full pardon at once?"
Mr. Berners explained the reasons for the delay.
"The people are even more cruel and unjust than the law! But still—oh! thank Heaven for so much hope and comfort as we have!" she said.
"Mr. Worth feels so sure of the pardon, that he advises me to make all necessary preparations, so as to be able to leave the country immediately upon my wife's liberation," added Mr. Berners.
"That will be glorious! Oh! do you know that advice seems so practical that it gives me more confidence than anything else which has been said?" exclaimed Miss Pendleton, eagerly. "I will tell Clement to begin to get ready at once! For you know we are set to go with you!"
"God bless you!" was the only response of Lyon Berners. Then he inquired, "How did my dear wife happen to fall asleep at this hour?"
"She laid down to rest. Then I took the guitar and sang to her and she fell asleep like an infant."
At that moment Sybil awoke with a smile, and greeted her husband pleasantly.
He stooped and kissed her; but said nothing of the respite, because she was still happily unconscious of any necessity for such a thing. Neither did he speak of the possible voyage to Europe; deeming it premature to mention such a hope yet, lest she should, in her innocent ignorance of her real position, chatter of it to her visitors, and so do her cause harm.
He staid with her until the prison regulations for closing the doors at six o'clock in the afternoon, obliged him to take leave and depart.