orgetfulness. Put me to work at once; that will be my best
medicine."

"And you really missed me, Queen?"

"Yes, inexpressibly; I felt my need of you continually. You must know how I
cling to you now."

Again he drew her little hands to his granite mouth, and seemed to muse for
a moment.

"Doctor, how is Electra?"

"Very well--that is, as well as such an anomalous, volcanic, torrid
character ought to be. At first she puzzled me (and that is an insult I
find it hard to forgive), but finally I found the clue. She is
indefatigable and astonishingly faithful as a nurse; does all her duty, and
more, which is saying a good deal--for I am a hard taskmaster. Aren't you
afraid that I will work you more unmercifully than a Yankee factory-child,
or a Cornwall miner? See here, Queen; what do you suppose brought Electra
to Richmond?"

"A desire to render some service to the sick and suffering, and also to be
comparatively near her cousin."

"Precisely; only the last should be first, and the first last. Russell is a
perverse, ungrateful dog."

As he expected, she glanced up at him, but refrained from comment.

"Yes, Irene--he is a soulless scamp. Here is his cousin entirely devoted to
him, loving him above everything else in this world, and yet he has not
even paid her a visit, except in passing through to Yorktown with his
command. He might be a happy man if he would but open his eyes and see what
is as plain as the nose on my face--which, you must admit, requires no
microscope. She is a gifted woman, and would suit him exactly--even better
than my salamander, Salome."

A startled, incredulous expression came into Irene's large eyes, and
gradually a look of keen pain settled on her features.

"Aha! did that idea never occur to you before?"

"Never, sir; and you must be mistaken."

"Why, child? The fact is patent. You women profess to be so quick-witted,
too, in such matters--I am amazed at your obtuseness. She idolizes Aubrey."

"It is scarcely strange that she should; she has no other relatives near
her, and it is natural that she should love her cousin."

"I tell you I know what I say! she will never love anybody else as she
loves Aubrey. Besides, what is it to you whether he marries her or not?"

"I feel attached to her, and want to see her happy."

"As Russell's wife?"

"No, sir. The marriage of cousins was always revolting to me."

She did not flinch from his glittering grey eye, and her grieved look
dee