“He made no reply; and she had hardly begun to descend the stairs before she heard the key turn in the lock.
“The poor mother could not sleep. At three o’clock she had not closed her eyes. She rose and stole up-stairs. His door stood open. She ran, breathless, into the room.
“A flood of moonlight lay upon his bed. The bed was empty. Her boy was gone!
“To this day she has never been able to learn his fate.”
“How terrible!”
“And now you see why I was so agitated at the christening of our boy, and why I looked so grim, as you said. I was determined, at all hazards, to name him Theodoric. But I did not know how Mr. Poythress would take it. I was delighted when I saw that his heart was touched by my tribute to his son.”
“Yesterday and to-day you have been tried severely. Go to bed and get some sleep.”
“I will.”
“Would you mind letting me read, now, the Don’s letter?”
Charley bent his head in thought for a while. “Yes,” said he, drawing the letter from his pocket, “you may read it.” And handing it to her, he left the room.