George contrived to have the message of Agnes reach Mr. Bankner's ears. Agnes, in turn, told Tesney that the rich white man knew of her suspicion. Tesney looked at the ring, and said: "I am Tesney the deceived."
A few months after this Mr. Bankner sent his wife and children to Europe, and came to board with Mrs. Wakely. Tesney, knowing that George had had his mother's message delivered, feared the result. She worried until she was a mere skeleton of her former self.
"I cannot face my blunder," she said. "I must leave."
She accordingly rented a room and lived alone. In a short time she took to her bed as the result of isolation and worry.
When Agnes heard of Tesney's illness she said: "Dis is our chance, son."
Her three hundred and fifty pounds were soon at Tesney's bedside. Tesney was flighty. George and the preacher came. George held her hand while the preacher asked questions. George answered for himself, and Agnes answered for Tesney.
A week passed. Tesney arose from her pillow and said to Agnes: "Are you here?"
"Yes, chile," answered Agnes; "an' George, yo' husban', is heah, too."
"George, my husband!" ejaculated Tesney.
"Yes, child," said the preacher, who happened to be present, "I married you to him a week ago."