Besides, there
seemed just now nothing to do--no tyrants to take down, no robbers
to capture, no distressed damsels to deliver, and Cap was again in
danger of "spoiling for a fight." And then Herbert Greyson was at
the Hall--Herbert Greyson whom she vowed always did make a Miss
Nancy of her! And so Cap had to content herself for a week with
quiet mornings of needlework at her workstand, with Herbert to read
to or talk with her; sober afternoon rides, attended by Herbert and
Old Hurricane; and humdrum evenings at the chess board, with the
same Herbert, while Major Warfield dozed in a great "sleepy hollow"
of an armchair.
One afternoon when they were out riding through the woods beyond the
Demon's Run, a Sheriff's officer rode up, and bowing to the party,
presented a suspicious-looking document to Capitola and a similar
one to Herbert Greyson. And while Old Hurricane stared his eyes half
out, the parties most interested opened the papers, which they found
to be rather pressing invitations to be present at a certain
solemnity at Staunton. In a word, they were subpoenaed to give
testimony in the case of Williams vs. Le Noir.
"Here's a diabolical dilemma!" said Old Hurricane to himself, as
soon as he learned the purport of these documents.
"Here I shall have to bring Cap into court face to face with that
demon to bear witness against him! Suppose losing one ward, he
should lay claim to another! Ah, but he can't, without foully
criminating himself! Well, well, we shall see!"
While Old Hurricane was cogitating Cap was exulting.
Pages:
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152