"It's the bishop, uncle!" cried Mrs. Custis; "Bishop Tilghman, from the West."
"Don't I know him," Milburn whispered, with sinking voice and powers. "Honest man! Bishop of our church! Bishop in the free West! God bless him!"
He was lost again, as if he had fainted, for some time, and, all kneeling, the young bishop made a prayer.
When they arose Milburn seemed speechless, yet he tried to raise his hand, and, Vesta coming to his aid, his long, lean fingers closed around hers, and he signalled to William Tilghman with his eyes.
The bishop came near, and, by a painful effort, Milburn put his wife's hand in her cousin's. His lips framed a word without a sound:
"Restitution."
"Glory to God!" suddenly exclaimed Grandmother Tilghman, who seemed to see without sight all that was going on.
"I knew it would be so, if both would wait," sighed Rhoda to her husband, through her tears.
There was still something on Milburn's mind, though he was unable to explain it. Every attempt was made to interpret his want, but in vain, till Aunt Hominy broke the silence by mumbling:
"He want dat debbil's hat!"