like a rebuke to the
ardent gratitude of the young man.

"I do thank God, brother James," he answered reverently, uncovering his
head. "But, to be grateful to God's creatures is, so far, giving thanks
to Him! How often have you told me this?"

"You are right," answered James gently, "but see, your mother needs
assistance!"

Mabel had risen, and was making ready to step from the boat. Ralph
turned, flung one arm around her.

"Lean on me, dear mother. Lay your head on my shoulder; don't mind the
weight; I can carry you, if needful!"

Mabel submitted herself to the affectionate guidance of her son, with a
sigh of pleasure, and proceeded towards the house.

CHAPTER XI.

GENERAL HARRINGTON IS SHOCKED.

The rigid ideas of female propriety which General Harrington enforced in
his family, had been greatly outraged that day. This well-regulated home
was thrown into disorder by the unaccountable absence of his wife and
Lina from the tea-table. He had followed his wife to the bank of the
river, and with a feeling of quiet indignation had watched her rowing
her own boat down the stream like a wild gipsy. The gathering storm and
the danger she was in scarcely impressed him, but the impropriety of
the thing outraged all his fastidiousness.

Still he was glad to have her away for the brief time that he was in the
hills, and but for her long absence this escapade on the river might
have been forgiven.

A solitary evening, added to these causes of discontent, had greatly
ruffled the general's equanimity of temper, and when his wife appeared
deep in the night, her clothes in disorder, her hair disarranged, and
her face pale as death, he felt her return in this state as a positive
insult to his house.

"Madam," he said, with that quiet irony which was the gift of his cold
nature, "it is rather late, and your toilet somewhat disarranged for the
presence of gentlemen; allow me to lead you to a mirror." It was not
necessary; Mabel had seen herself reflected in the great oval glass
opposite, and shrunk back, shocked both by her appearance and the cold
insult to which it had given rise.

James Harrington remained silent, but his eyes grew bright with
indignation, while Ralph flung one arm around his mother's waist, and
turned his bright face upon the general.

"My mother's life has been in peril--she comes back to us, father,
almost cold from the dead."

"Indeed!" said the general with a look of cold surprise. "Sure