nfederate, he hurried home, for a very busy day lay before him. To
account for his sudden departure, and long absence, and to cover his
retreat, it was necessary to have some excuse, such as a peremptory
summons to Baltimore upon the most important business. Once in that
city, he would have leisure to find some further apology for proceeding
directly to France without first returning home. Now, strange as it may
appear, though his purposed treachery to Marian wrung his bosom with
remorse whenever he paused to think of it, yet it was the remorse
without humiliation; for he persuaded himself that stratagem was fair in
love as in war, especially in his case with Marian, who had already
given him her hand; but now the unforseen necessity of these subterfuges
made his cheek burn. He hastened to Dell-Delight, and showing the old
man a letter he had that morning received from the city, informed him
that he was obliged to depart immediately, upon affairs of the most
urgent moment to him, and then, to escape the sharp stings of
self-scorn, he busied himself with arranging his papers, packing his
trunks and ordering his servants. His baggage was packed into and behind
the old family carriage, and having completed his preparations about one
o'clock, he entered it, and was driven rapidly to the village.

The schooner was already at the wharf and waiting for him. Thurston met
many of his friends in the village, and in an off-hand manner explained
to them the ostensible cause of his journey. And thus, in open daylight,
gayly chatting with his friends, Thurston superintended the embarkation
of his baggage. And it was not until one by one they had shaken hands
with him, wished him a good voyage and departed, that Thurston found
himself alone with the captain in the cabin.

"Now you know, Miles, that I have not come on board to remain. When the
coast is clear I shall go on shore, get in the carriage, and return to
Dell-Delight. I must meet my wife on the beach. I must remain with her
through all. I must take her on board. You will be off Pine Bluff just
at dusk, captain?"

"Ay, ay, sir."

"You will not be a moment behind hand?"

"Trust me for that, Cap'n."

"See if the people have left."

The skipper went on deck and returned to report the coast clear.

Thurston then went on shore, entered the carriage, and was driven
homeward.

It was nearly four o'clock when he reached Dell-Delight, and there he
found the whole premises in