Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/267

 Up the drive they cantered, under the giant, spreading, live oaks whose branches seemed to intertwine in loving embrace born of two centuries of comradeship. As they neared the house the hounds discovered them and a mellow, baying chorus rose in welcome.

The great house had been swept and garnished; a group of servants, among them some of the old slaves, was clustered on the steps of the broad veranda. These laughed, chattered, wept in the exuberance of delight. The younger generation had never known a mistress on the plantation; the older remembered Virginia's mother and were loud and joyful in their recognition. A very old woman rushed to Virginia as she drew rein at the house. "Bless de Lawd! Glory be foh dis yeah day! Hit ole missis done come back! Hit Miss Ma'a'gry foh sho!" She buried her face in Virginia's skirt. The girl raised streaming eyes to her brother.

"I—I—don't understand what they say, but—but—they make me cry!" she faltered.

A fortnight passed happily on Live Oak Plantation. They rode; they hunted; they shot deer, turkey, and innumerable snipe. Neighbors dropped in for an afternoon call and spent three days. Giles was delighted with the place, the life, the people, the delicious informality. He wanted to buy a plantation and plant rice.

One day while at luncheon Manning, opening his mail, uttered an exclamation of pleasure.

"Who do you think is coming?" he asked.

"Leyden?" asked Virginia and Giles in eager chorus.

"How did you know?" queried Manning. 257