Part 34 (1/2)
”I was a prisoner,” answered d.i.c.k, speaking for himself. ”I had escaped and when I knew that my sister was in the hands of you fellows I waited to take her away.”
And d.i.c.k awaited the effect of his bold declaration anxiously for he was uneasy for his sister.
”I don't know what to do with you,” said the provost again.
”Let me go with d.i.c.k,” pleaded Jeanne eagerly. ”He is wounded as you see, sir, and needs care and attention. Please let me go with him. I won't be a bit of trouble.”
”I don't know but that that will be the best way out of the difficulty,”
remarked the officer musingly. ”At least until I can investigate further.
What was the name of your uncle?”
”Vance, sir. Benjamin Vance.”.
”Benjamin Vance!” exclaimed the officer in amazement. ”He is well-known in Vicksburg. Why, he and his wife are here now visiting relatives. I will send for him at once.”
”What!” cried Jeanne. ”Uncle Ben here?”
”Right here,” responded the other. ”Orderly, will you send word to the La Chaise manor that I would like Mr. Vance to come here?”
The Orderly saluted and left the room. The provost turned his attention to other matters while d.i.c.k and Jeanne waited with beating hearts the return of the man.
In about an hour's time the Orderly returned and with him came the well-known form of Mr. Vance. Behind him, her silken skirts rustling, her face wreathed in smiles, her manner full of smirks and graces, walked Madame Vance.
CHAPTER XXV
MADAME AGAIN
”You dear child,” cried Madame embracing Jeanne rapturously. ”You cannot imagine how desolate I have been at losing you. I was frantic when I learned you were left behind. We went back for you, but you had gone. Ma foi! You should have waited for our return.”
”Your story being so amiably verified,” said the provost beaming upon the girl, ”I am happy to say there is no reason why you should not return to your relatives. I am charmed to have a.s.sisted in reuniting you to your honored family.”
”We will never forget it,” said the lady sweetly. ”If we are ever so fortunate as to have the opportunity to repay the obligation, rest a.s.sured that we will gladly use it. My sweet child, is this your brother? The Orderly spoke of him as we came down.”
”Yes,” said Jeanne hesitatingly. She was not at all pleased at the turn affairs had taken, and did not relish the idea of being once more in the hands of Madame. ”Yes, this is d.i.c.k, Uncle Ben. You know that he bears your name also: Richard Benjamin Vance.”
She drew near d.i.c.k as she spoke, standing between Madame and her brother, and addressing herself to her uncle only.
”Richard, I am glad to see you,” said Mr. Vance, seizing the boy's hand and speaking so heartily that d.i.c.k was bewildered. ”A prisoner, they tell me. Come! this won't do. We must have you with us for Clarisse to take care of. She is a fine nurse!”
”I do not want to go,” said d.i.c.k weakly. The long wait was beginning to tell upon him. ”After the way that my sister has been treated I prefer to trust to the mercy of my enemies than to receive any benefits from you.”
”My dear boy, has the little one been speaking of our differences? There were some, I believe. She is headstrong and self-willed, but what would you? I desire to admonish her for disobedience as a mother might, and she grieves me by thinking that I do not love her, but I adore her! You shall both come to us, and you shall see for yourself.”
”Yes,” said Mr. Vance after a low conversation with the provost. ”I have arranged with the officer here that you shall come with us to be taken care of. When you are well, then you must return to him. Orderly, can you get some one to a.s.sist me in lifting my nephew to the carriage?”
So in spite of themselves the brother and sister were placed in charge of their uncle and his wife. The carriage bowled rapidly over the rough streets and at last stopped before a large residence on the summit of one of the hills.
The building was long and low roofed, built after the Southern fas.h.i.+on with wide halls and broad galleries running the entire length of the house. It looked very inviting even to Jeanne who hovered protectingly over her brother.