“I’ll do him the justice to say he did tell me he had escorted such a one.”

“What did he say of her?”

“Nothing, good or bad.”

“But that’s very suspicious.”

“So it is.”

“Pray who is Miss Perdita Brown?” asked Onslow.

“She’s a daughter of—of—why, of Mr. Brown, of course. He lives in St. Louis.”

“Is she a good Secessionist?”

“On the contrary, she’s a desperate little Abolitionist.”

“Look at Charles!” said Onslow. “He’s enamored already. I’m sorry she isn’t secesh.”