“‘Edward, love me as much as you please, but do not forget your obligations to the great Creator—honor and love Him above all things. There is no real happiness on earth save that which is sanctioned and purified through God’s holy will. But come, we have rested long enough—let us go to work, else we will not have time to finish before night.’
“Lottie kept me very busy until the sun went down, and then taking me by the arm, she led me to a rustic bench in the magnolia grove.
“‘Now, sir, you may sit down and rest, while I arrange this bouquet for you; I think you have done a very good day’s work.’
“‘Yes, and I demand my wages—in the first place, here is a beautiful lock of golden hair that has strayed off from its companions; and as it looks so lonesome wandering about by itself, I shall take the liberty to cut it off and put it my bosom.’
“‘Take it if you wish, and as many more as you want; but how are you going to cut it?’
“I clipped off the pretty straggler with my pocket-knife, and hid it in my bosom, then held her to my heart for a moment, and hurried home, with a soul surcharged with indescribable happiness.”
Just as Ingomar finished the sentence, one of the seedy men walked forward, confronting the queen, bowed very low, and taking from his breast pocket a large paper with a huge red seal and a blue ribbon attached to it, gave a grunt and a slight cough, and addressed her as follows:
“I humbly crave your Majesty’s pardon, as I fear that I shall be so unfortunate as to interfere with your amusements. The fact is, madame, I am under the necessity of performing an unpleasant duty, but it must be discharged. We officers of the law are very frequently called upon to perform services, in the name of the State, of an unpleasant nature. We have postponed this matter as long as the character of the case will justify. Myself and Mr. Peniwinkle are peace officers, regularly commissioned. We have the honor to hold in our possession a proclamation, or, more properly speaking, a requisition, from the Governor of Mississippi on the Governor of Tennessee, demanding the delivery to us of the body of one escaped murderer. Our papers, as you may see, are all properly authenticated, as the law directs. His Excellency the Governor of Tennessee, has issued his warrant, and we here offer to show it.”
Then turning to Ingomar, who appeared perfectly composed, he said:
“Mr. Ingomar, or Demar, or whoever you are, we arrest you in the name of the State of Mississippi, under a warrant we have here now. You will consider yourself as our prisoner.”