The carriage was ordered at once, and they set out shortly after leaving the table.
Arrived at their destination they found Mrs. Murray on the veranda, looking out with an eager, anxious face.
"Ah!" she said, coming forward as the ladies alighted, "I didna expect—my sight is no so keen as in my younger days, and I thocht till this moment 'twas Mr. Dinsmore's carriage, bringing them hame again after their dreadfu' nicht at Ion."
Both ladies turned pale, and old Mrs. Carrington leaned heavily upon her daughter-in-law for support. Her lips moved but no sound same from them, and she gasped for breath.
"Oh tell us!" cried Sophie, "what, what has happened?"
The children too were putting the same question in varying tones and words.
"The Ku Klux," faltered the housekeeper. "An' ye hadna heard aboot it, my leddies?"
"No, no, not a word," exclaimed Sophie, "but see, my mother is fainting.
Help me to carry her into the house."
"No, no, I can walk: I am better now, thank you," said Mrs. Carrington, in low, faltering tones, "Just give me the support of your arm, Mrs. Murray."
They led her in between them, and laid her on a sofa.