It is a precious trust, which I
would be willing to leave in no hands but yours."

"You forget that, before long, I, too, shall go to Virginia."

"Then pack it away carefully among your old family pictures, where it will
be secure. I left my large and best paintings in Italy, with Aunt Ruth, who
promised to preserve and send them to me as soon as the blockade should be
raised."

"What are Mr. Young's views concerning this war?"

"He utterly abhors the party who inaugurated it, and the principles upon
which it is waged. Says he will not return to America at least for the
present; and as soon as he can convert his property into money, intends to
move to the South. He opposed and regretted Secession until he saw the
spirit of the Lincoln dynasty, and from that time he acknowledged that all
hope of Union or reconstruction was lost. Have you heard anything from
Harvey since the troubles began?"

"It is more than a year since I received a line from him. He was then still
in the West, but made no allusion to the condition of the country."

"Irene, I hope to see Russell soon. You were once dear friends; have you
any message for him--any word of kind remembrance?"

One of Irene's hands glided to her side, but she answered composedly--

"He knows that he always has my best wishes; but will expect no message."

On the following day Electra started to Richmond, taking with her a large
supply of hospital stores, which the ladies of W---- had contributed.

Eric had proposed to his niece the expediency of selling the Hill, and
becoming an inmate of his snug, tasteful, bachelor home; but she firmly
refused to consent to this plan: said that she would spend her life in the
house of her birth; and it was finally arranged that her uncle should
reserve such of the furniture as he valued particularly, and offer the
residue for sale, with the pretty cottage, to which he was warmly attached.
During the remainder of autumn Irene was constantly engaged in
superintending work for the soldiers, in providing for several poor
families in whom she was much interested, and in frequent visits to the
plantation, where she found more than enough to occupy her mind; and Eric
often wondered at the admirable system and punctuality she displayed--at
the grave composure with which she discharged her daily duties, and the
invariable reticence she observed with regard to her past life.

CHAPTER XXXII

WOMANLY USEFULNESS

"Did you ring, M