king a hot iron from the grate, she passed it
repeatedly over the paper, till all was smooth and dry; then in the centre
wrote with a pencil: "Michael Angelo's _Fates_, in the Pitti Palace. Copied
May 8th, 1861." From a list of figures in a small note-book she added the
dimensions of the picture, and underneath all, a line from Euripides.

Her eyes sparkled as she bent over her work, and at length, lifting it for
inspection, she exclaimed triumphantly--

"There, sir! I can baffle even the Paris detective, much more the lynx-eyed
emissaries of Lincoln, Seward & Co. Are you satisfied? Examine it with your
own hands."

"Perfectly satisfied, my dear young lady. But suppose they should seize
your trunk? Confiscation is the cry all over the North."

"Finding nothing suspicious or 'contraband' about me, except my Southern
birth and sympathies, they would scarcely take possession of the necessary
tools of my profession. I have no fear, sir; the paper is fated to reach
its destination."

"Are your other despatches sealed up pictorially?"

She laughed heartily.

"Of course not. We women are too shrewd to hazard all upon one die."

"Well--well! You see that we trust important data to your cunning fingers.
You leave London to-morrow for Southampton; will arrive just in time for
the steamer. Good-bye, Miss Grey. When I get back to the Confederacy, I
shall certainly find you out. I want you to paint the portraits of my wife
and children. From the enviable reputation you have already acquired I am
proud to claim you for my countrywoman. God bless you, and lead you safely
home. Good-bye, Mr. Mitchell. Take care of her and let me hear from you on
your arrival."

From the hour when tidings of the fall of Sumter reached Europe, Electra
had resolved to cut short the studies which she had pursued so vigorously
since her removal to Florence, and return to the South. But the tide of
travel set toward, not from European shores, and it was not until after
repeated attempts to find some one homeward-bound, that she learned of Eric
Mitchell's presence in Paris, and his intention of soon returning to W----.
She wrote at once, requesting his permission to place herself under his
care. It was cordially accorded; and, bidding adieu to Italy, she joined
him without delay, despite the pleadings of Mr., Mrs. Young, and Louisa,
who had recently arrived at Florence, and sincerely mourned a separation
under such painful circumstances.

Eric was