"Yes; I shall ride over there directly."
"And take me with you?"
"Gladly, if you like to go. You will do her more good than I."
"I doubt it; but perhaps both together may be better than either one alone. Didn't she act bravely?"
"Yes; she's a noble woman."
They spent some moments in consulting together how to make their guest comfortable and at the same time effectually conceal his presence in the house.
They rejoiced in the fact that no one but themselves—his own son excepted—had been cognizant of his arrival, and Elsie agreed with her husband that it should be kept secret from the children; servants also save Aunt Chloe and Uncle Joe, whose services would be needed, and who could be trusted not to divulge the matter.
"Mammy will manage about his meals, I know," said Elsie, "and Dr. Barton's visits may be supposed to be paid to Violet. The darling! how glad and thankful I am that she seems to be losing her inclination to sleep-walking."
"And I," said her husband; "thankful to God for his blessing on the means used, and to Barton, who is certainly an excellent physician."
Their talk ended, husband and wife separated to their different dressing-rooms.