y twirled the tassel of the window drapery, and Emily twisted her
pocket-handkerchief into every conceivable shape. Henry was the first to
gather fortitude enough to venture a remark.

"I must leave you, sister, now that, for the first time, the relation is
acknowledged. I assure you, however, that I appreciate the sisterly
kindness you have always lavished upon me. And I shall always remember
this visit as the happiest period of my life."

"Then I may hope you will often repeat it," replied Emily, sadly.

"However pleasant it would be for me to do so, I fear my duty will be a
barrier to my inclination. My future post, you are aware, is Newport."

"And you depart so suddenly, and then seem inclined to make your absence
perpetual! But we shall see you where-ever you are. We go to Newport
this season, if father's health will permit," returned Emily, with a
playful pout.

"I would stay by you,--that is, I would stay at Bellevue forever,--if my
duty to your father--I mean to my country--would permit," stammered
Henry, much agitated, as he rose to depart.

"I must go and bid farewell to your father," continued he, taking her
hand, which he perceived trembled violently, in his own; "and I trust
you will remember your absent brother--" kindly, he was about to say,
but Emily, attempting to rise, was overpowered by the emotions which she
had vainly striven to suppress, and sunk back in a swoon.

Henry summoned assistance, and applied the usual restoratives, but he
did not again venture to address her; and, as her pale features
exhibited signs of returning consciousness, he hurried from the room.

As the hour of his departure drew near, he bade an affectionate farewell
to Colonel Dumont, who was confined to his room by illness. His kind
friend used many entreaties for him to prolong his stay, but Henry
pleaded his duty, and that the dying request of a brother officer
required him to take a journey into Georgia, which would consume some
three or four weeks' time. He intended to go to his future station by
the way of the Mississippi, and promised that, if any time were left him
on his return, he would again visit Bellevue. This, however, he thought
was improbable.

Colonel Dumont gave his _protege_ much good advice, and, as his failing
health had infected his usually cheerful spirits, he said that they
would probably meet no more in this world. He frankly told him that he
should remember him in his will, and wished him eve