As though she were a snake in her room Jennie sprang away from her, while she cried:
"I have seen you weak and yielding to your husband and son, and often wished that you had some of my spirit; but I did not deem you so criminally weak as to turn against me when I appeal to you as a daughter to a mother."
"Jennie! Jennie!" cried the unhappy woman, who was fighting her heart to serve her husband's will, to obey her son's command.
"I will say no more, for I can do nothing, say nothing now, as I have appealed in vain."
"But what can you, will you do, my poor child?"
"God only knows," was the pitiful reply, and as she threw herself down upon the bed Mrs. Bernard arose and glided from the room.
But poor Jennie was in no mood to remain quiet, and soon she sprang to her feet and hastily descended to the piazza.
There were the large saddle bags belonging to Mr. Bernard, and seizing these, she went back to her room.
Quickly she packed into the leather pouches such clothing as she could conveniently carry, and then put on her buckskin riding-habit and slouch hat.