She had lived half her life among slaves and those who owned them.

She would know how far Penhallow was to be considered as a law-abiding citizen, or whether he might be offended, for after all, as George Grey knew, his own share in the matter would be certain to become known.

"A damned unpleasant affair," he said aloud as he walked up the avenue, "but we as Southern gentlemen have got to stand by one another.

I must let Woodburn know, and decide for himself." Neither was the lawyer Swallow altogether easy about the matter on which he had desired time for thought.

It would be the first case in the county under the fugitive-slave act.