"And you, then, are his only advocate?"

Jenny's eyes dropped to the floor, and a deeper tinge overspread her
countenance.

"What is your relation to him, and to his friends?" asked the
Secretary, his manner becoming more serious.

It was some moments before Jenny replied. Then she said, in a more
subdued voice:

"I am living with Mr. Lofton. But--"

She hesitated, and then became silent and embarrassed.

"Does Mr. Lofton know of your journey to Washington?"

Jenny shook her head.

"Where did you tell him you were going?"

"I said nothing to him, but came away the moment I heard the ship
was expected to arrive at Norfolk."

"Suppose I release him from the service?"

"I will persuade him to go back with me to Fairview, and then I know
that all will be forgiven between him and his grandfather. You don't
know how Mr. Lofton has failed since Mark went away," added Jenny in