To-day, as she sought pleasant work in arranging the ferns and
carnations of her conservatory, her thoughts reverted to the
previous evening, which Mr. Dunbar had spent with her; and she could
not avoid indulging regret, that he should have allowed business
affairs to interfere with their engagement for horseback riding, but
her reverie was speedily interrupted by the excited tones of her
aunt's voice.

"Leo! Leo! Where do you hide yourself?"

"Here, Auntie, in the conservatory."

"Oh! my child, such dreadful news! Such a frightful tragedy!"

Pale and panting, Miss Patty ran down the arcade, and stumbled over
a barricade of potted plants on the threshold of the door.

"What is the matter? Is it my Uncle, or--or Lennox?"

Leo sprang to her feet, and caught her aunt's arm.

"Horrible! horrible! General Darrington was robbed, and then most
brutally murdered last night!"

"Murdered! Can it be possible? Murdered--by whom?"

"How should I know? The whole town is wild about it. My brother is
at Elm Bluff, with the body, and I shall take the carriage and drive
over there at once. Dear me; I am so nervous I can't stand still,
and my teeth chatter like a pair of castanets."