The next morning Miss Lou awoke feeble, dazed and ill. In a little
while her mind rallied sufficiently to recall what had happened, but
her symptoms of nervous prostration and lassitude were alarming.
Mrs. Whately was sent for, and poor Mr. Baron learned, as by another
surgical operation, what had been his share in imposing on his niece
too severe a strain. Mrs. Waldo whispered to Miss Lou, "Your mammy
has told me enough to account for the shock you received and your
illness. Your secret is safe with me."
Meantime the good lady thought, "It will all turn out for the best
for the poor child. Such an attachment could only end unhappily, and
she will get over it all the sooner if she believes the Yankee
officer dead. How deeply her starved nature must have craved
sympathy and affection to have led to this in such a brief time and
opportunity!"
As may be supposed, Aun' Jinkey had been chary of details and had
said nothing of Scoville's avowal. The mistress of the plantation
looked upon her niece's illness as a sort of well earned "judgment
for her perversity," but all the same, she took care that the
strongest beef tea was made and administered regularly.
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