ve."

"And how does she support herself in that solitary house?"

"She has a garden, and some poultry. The woods around afford plenty of
dry fuel, and my own humble labors supply the rest."

Mabel became thoughtful and ceased to ask questions. The governess stood
quietly waiting. All her answers had been straightforward and given
unhesitatingly, but they did not bring confidence or conviction with
them. Still Mrs. Harrington was silenced for the time, and remained in
deep thought.

"May I retire, madam?" said the governess at last, drawing slowly toward
the door.

Mabel started from her reverie.

"Not yet. I would know more of you, of your parents, and previous life.
Where we intrust those most dear to us, there should be a perfect
knowledge and profound confidence."

"Of myself I have nothing to say," answered Agnes, turning coldly white,
for she was a girl who seldom blushed. All her emotions broke out in a
chilly pallor. "Of my parents all that can be said is told, when I
repeat that they left me with nothing but an honorable name, and this
old woman in the wide world."

Her voice broke a little here, and this struck Mabel with a shade of
compassion.

"But how did you chance to come North?"

"I entered a Louisianian family as governess, directly after my parents'
death. They brought me North in the summer, recommended me to General
Harrington, and I remained."

Nothing could be more simple or frankly spoken. Agnes, as I have said,
was pale; but for this, she might have seemed unconscious that all this
questioning was mingled with distrust.

Mabel had nothing more to say. The feelings with which she had commenced
this conversation, were not in the slightest degree removed, and yet
they seemed utterly without foundation. She waved her hand uneasily,
murmuring, "you may go," and the governess went out softly as she had
entered.

"Can I stay with you, mamma?" pleaded Lina, creeping timidly up to
Mabel's chair.

"I am weary," answered Mrs. Harrington, closing her eyes, and turning
aside her head. "Let me rest awhile!"

"But you will kiss me before I go?" said the gentle girl.

"Yes, child," and Mabel kissed that white forehead with her quivering
lips.

"Is it with your whole heart, mamma?"

Mabel turned away her face, that Lina might not see how it was
convulsed. So the young girl went out from the boudoir, grieved to the
verge of tears.

After they were gone, Mabel grew strong again and began t