endletime inquired:

"And when do you leave on this fearful expedition, my dear?"

"On Monday next I go, with Captain and Mrs. Neville," replied Corona.

"Well, I am truly sorry for it; but, of course, I cannot help it. On
Monday, therefore, after your friend has taken leave of you, you will
remove to my house, Violet?"

"Oh, yes; the thought of going to you is the only comfort I have in
parting from Corona," replied Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

CORONA'S DEPARTURE.

On the Sunday following her arrival in Washington, the last day of her
sojourn in the capital, the day before her departure for the frontier,
Corona Rothsay rose early in the morning, and soon as she was dressed
went down to the ladies' parlor. Neither her uncle nor his young wife
had yet left their rooms. In fact, so early was it that none of the
ladies staying in the house had yet come down to the parlor. The place
was vacant.

Corona went up the long room and sat down by one of the front windows,
to look down on the passing life of the avenue below.

While she sat looking out of the window she heard a movement at the
lower end of the room. Some one entered and sat down to wait. And some
one else went out again. Corona never turned round to see who was there.
She continued to look through the window. She was not interested in the
comers and goers into and out of the hotel.

Presently some one came in again and said:

"Mrs. Rothsay is not in her room, sir."

"Then I will wait here until she can be found," replied the new comer in
a familiar voice.

But then Corona started up and rushed down the length of the room,
crying eagerly:

"Uncle Clarence! Oh, Uncle Clarence! Is this you? Is this indeed you? I
am so glad to see you once more before I go! I had thought never to see
you again! Or, at least, not for many years! And here you are!"

He caught the hands she held out as she reached him, drew her to his
bosom and kissed her as he answered:

"Yes, my dear, it is I, your old bachelor uncle, who was not satisfied
with the leave taking on last Thursday, but longed to see you again
before your departure."

"You dear Uncle Clarence!"

"So yesterday afternoon I telegraphed to Fabian to ask him when you were
to start for the West. He telegraphed back that you expected to leave
Washington on Monday morning. I got this answer about five o'clock in
the afternoon. And, as it was Saturday night and I had a clear day, the
bless