ettled."

"She is well enough to go just where she's a mind to, I reckon," said
Ben Benson, crashing through the undergrowth, "and I'm here to help her
do it."

"Thank you," said Mabel, gently, "I wish to go home!"

Ben turned towards Harrington, and, without regard to the presence of
Agnes, spoke his mind.

"I don't like the cut of things up yonder, somehow. The woman looks like
a female Judas Iscariot. She's eager but not kind. The madam is better
off here with the old tree to warm her."

Agnes kept her eyes steadily on Ben as he spoke; when he had finished,
she laughed.

"You are complimentary to my mammy!" she said, "I will tell her your
opinion. But have your own way. We have offered hospitality to the lady
in good faith--if she prefers other shelter, I dare say we shall find
the means of reconciling ourselves to her wishes and to your very
flattering opinion, Mr. Boatman."

Ben threw back his right foot and made the young lady a nautical bow,
accompanied with an overwhelming flourish of the hand.

"Delighted to hear as you and the old woman is agreeable. Now if you'd
just as lieves, we'll try and get madam down to the boat; I've just
bailed it out. The river may be a trifle roughish yet, but there's no
danger."

Ben directed this portion of his speech to Mr. James Harrington, who
stood by in silence, without appearing to regard the conversation.

He now stepped forward, and stooping over Mabel, inquired if she was
willing, and felt strong enough to attempt a return home by water.

"Yes," answered Mabel, sitting up and striving to arrange her dress, "I
am stronger now--take me home by all means. General Harrington will be
terrified by my absence, and Lina--dear, dear Lina, how grateful she
will be to have her mother back again!"

"And your son!" said Harrington gently.

"Oh, if I did not mention him, he is always here!" answered Mabel,
pressing a hand to her heart, and looking upward with a face beaming
with vivid tenderness; "I never knew how much of love was in my soul
before."

How unconscious the noble woman was of her dreamy wanderings of
speech--how pure and trustful was the look which she fixed upon
Harrington's face as she said this. A holy thankfulness pervaded her
whole being; from the black deep she seemed to have gathered a world of
beautiful strength.

"Come," she said, struggling to her feet and smiling in gentle derision
of her weakness, as she felt her head begin to reel, "I am n