VII.
_THE TWO GUESTS._
Virginia entered the sitting-room--the same where so many happy eveningshad been enjoyed by the little family, in the society of him who now laybruised, disfigured, and insensible in Toby's kitchen.
She walked to and fro, she gazed from the windows out into the darkness,she threw herself on the lounge, scarce able to control the feelings ofpity and indignation that agitated her. For almost the first time in herlife she was fired with vindictiveness; she burned to see some swift andterrible retribution overtake the perpetrators of this atrocious deed.
Mr. Villars soon came out to her. She hastened to lead him to a seat.
"How is he?--much injured?" she asked.
"He has been brutally used," said the old man. "But he is now in goodhands. Where is Salina?"
"I don't know. I had been to look for her, when I came and found you inthe kitchen. I think she must have gone out."
"Gone out, to-night? That is very strange!" The old man mused. "She willhave to be told that Penn is in the house. But I think the knowledge ofthe fact ought to go no farther. Mr. Stackridge is of the same opinion.Now that they have begun to persecute him, they will never cease, solong as he remains alive within their reach."
"And we must conceal him?"
"Yes, until this storm blows over, or he can be safely got out of thestate."
"There is Salina now!" exclaimed the girl, hearing footsteps approachthe piazza.
"If it is, she is not alone," said the old man, whose blindness hadrendered his hearing acute. "It is a man's step. Don't be agitated, mychild. Much depends on our calmness and self-possession now. If it is avisitor, you must admit him, and appear as hospitable as usual."
It was a visitor, and he came alone--a young fellow of dashy appearance,handsome black hair and whiskers, and very black eyes.
"Mr. Bythewood, father," said Virginia, showing him immediately into thesitting-room.
"I entreat you, do not rise!" said Mr. Bythewood, with exceedingaffability, hastening to prevent that act of politeness on the part ofthe blind old man.
"Did you not bring my daughter with you?" asked Mr. Villars.
"Your daughter is here, sir;" and he of the handsome whiskers gaveVirginia a most captivating bow and smile.
"He means my sister," said Virginia. "She has gone out, and we arefeeling somewhat anxious about her." She thought it best to say thusmuch, in order that, should the visitor perceive any strangeness orabstraction on her part, he might think it was caused by solicitude forthe absent Salina.
"Nothing can have happened to her, certainly," remarked Mr. Bythewood,seating himself in an attitude of luxurious ease, approaching almost toindolent recklessness. "We are the most chivalrous people in the world.There is no people, I think, on the face of the globe, among whom theinnocent and defenceless are so perfectly secure."
Virginia thought of the hapless victim of the mob in the kitchen yonder,and smiled politely.
"I have no very great fears for her safety," said the old man. "Yet Ihave felt some anxiety to know the meaning of the noises I heard in thedirection of the academy, an hour ago."
Bythewood laughed, and stroked his glossy mustache.
"I don't know, sir. I reckon, however, that the Yankee schoolmaster hasbeen favored with a little demonstration of southern sentiment."
"How! not mobbed?"
"Call it what you please, sir," said Bythewood, with an air ofpleasantry. "I think our people have been roused at last; and if so,they have probably given him a lesson he will never forget."
"What do you mean by 'our people'?" the old man gravely inquired.
"He means," said Virginia, with quiet but cutting irony, "the mostchivalrous people in the world! among whom the innocent and defencelessare more secure than any where else on the globe!"
"Precisely," said Mr. Bythewood, with a placid smile. "But among whomobnoxious persons, dangerous to our institutions, cannot be tolerated.As for this affair,"--carelessly, as if what had happened to Penn was ofno particular consequence to anybody present, least of all to him,--"Idon't know anything about it. Of course, I would never go near a populardemonstration of the kind. I don't say I approve of it, and I don't sayI disapprove of it. These are no ordinary times, Mr. Villars. The southis already plunged into a revolution."
"Indeed, I fear so!"
"Fear so? I glory that it is so! We are about to build up the mostmagnificent empire on which the sun has ever shone!"
"Cemented with the blood of our own brethren!" said the old man,solemnly.
"There may be a little bloodshed, but not much. The Yankees won't fight.They are not a military people. Their armies will scatter before us likechaff before the wind. I know you don't think as I do. I respect thelingering attachment you feel for the old Union--it is very natural,"said Bythewood, indulgently.
The old man smiled. His eyes were closed, and his hands were foldedbefore him near his breast, in his favorite attitude. And he answered,--
"You are very tolerant towards me, my young friend. It is because youconsider me old, and helpless, and perhaps a little childish, no doubt.But hear my words. You are going to build up a magnificent empire,founded on--slavery. But I tell you, the ruin and desolation of our dearcountry--that will be your empire. And as for the institution you meanto perpetuate and strengthen, it will be crushed to atoms between theupper and nether millstones of the war you are bringing upon thenation."
He spoke with the power of deep and earnest conviction, and thecomplacent Bythewood was for a moment abashed.
"I was well aware of your opinions," he remarked, rallying presently."It is useless for us to argue the point. And Virginia, I conceive, doesnot like politics. Will you favor us with a song, Virginia?"
"With pleasure, if you wish it," said Virginia, with perfect civility,although a close observer might have seen how repulsive to her was thepresence of this handsome, but selfish and unprincipled man. He wastheir guest; and she had been bred to habits of generous andself-sacrificing hospitality. However detested a visitor, he must bepolitely entertained. On this occasion, she led the way to the parlor,where the piano was,--all the more readily, perhaps, because it wasstill farther removed from the kitchen. Bythewood followed, supporting,with an ostentatious show of solicitude, the steps of the feeble oldman.
Bythewood named the pieces he wished her to sing, and bent graciouslyover the piano to turn the music-leaves for her, and applauded withenthusiasm. And so she entertained him. And all the while were passingaround them scenes so very different! There was Penn, heroicallystifling the groans of a wounded spirit, within sound of her sweetvoice, and Bythewood so utterly ignorant of his presence there! A littlefarther off, and just outside the house, a young woman was even thenparting, with whispers and mystery, from an adventurous rover. Still alittle farther, in barber Jim's back room, Silas Ropes was treating hisaccomplices; and while these drank and blasphemed, close by, in thesecret cellar, Stackridge's companions were practising the soldier'sdrill.
Salina parted from the rover, and came into the house while Virginia wassinging, throwing her bonnet negligently back, as she sat down.
"Why, Salina! where have you been?" said Virginia, finishing a strain,and turning eagerly on the piano stool. "We have been wondering what hadbecome of you!"
"You need never wonder about me," said Salina, coldly. "I must go outand walk, even if I don't have time till after dark."
She drummed upon the carpet with her foot, while her upper lip twitchednervously. It was a rather short lip, and she had an unconscious habitof hitching up one corner of it, still more closely, with a spiteful andimpatient expression. Aside from this labial peculiarity (and perhapsthe disproportionate prominence of a very large white forehead), herfeatures were pretty enough, although they lacked the charming freshnessof her younger sister's.
Virginia knew well that the pretence of not getting time for her walktill after dark was absurd, but, perceiving the unhappy mood she was in,forbore to sa
y so. And she resumed her task of entertaining Bythewood.