A Ghastly Procession

"Yes, it is very well for you to talk of intercepting her, but you had
just as well try to intercept a shadow as it glides past you," put in
Sybil, with a wise nod.

"The attempt shall be made, at all events," determined Mr. Berners.

Sybil was in the act of putting the supper--not on the table, for table
there was none in the chapel--but on the cloth spread upon the
flagstones, when Captain Pendleton, to give a lighter turn to their
talk, said: "You may put a plate for me also, Mrs. Berners! I have not yet supped,
and I'm glad I have got here in time to join you."

"I am glad too! We are getting quite comfortably to housekeeping here,
Captain. And Lyon has set his traps, and we shall soon have game to
offer you when you come to visit us," replied Sybil quickly, responding
to his gayety.

"If I had only a gun, and could venture to use it, it would be a great
relief, and we should be very well supplied," smiled Lyon.

"Yes! if you had a gun, and should venture to use it, you would soon
bring a posse comitatus down upon you; We will have no reverberations
of that sort, if you please, Lyon," recommended the Captain.

And then they all sat down around the table-cloth, and Sybil poured out
and served the coffee.

Now, whether they were very thirsty, or whether the coffee was unusually
good, or whether both these causes combined to tempt them to excess, is
not known; but it is certain that the two gentlemen were intemperate in
their abuse of this fragrant beverage; which proves that people can be
intemperate in other drinks, as well as in alcoholic liquors. This
coffee also got into their heads. Their spirits rose; they grew gay,
talkative, inspired, brilliant. Even Sybil, who took but one cup of
coffee, caught the infection, and laughed and talked and enjoyed herself
as if she were at a picnic, instead of being in hiding for her life or
liberty.