table. "The persistent malice of the thing, confirms its
probability. She was capable of it--capable of anything; and yet I do
think the poor creature loved me. If I could but see her, and learn all
the facts from her own lips. Yet the note is better evidence. Who,
except us two, ever learned this cypher? How else could she have known
these particulars about poor Lina? But, this is terrible. I did not
think anything could shake me so! Ralph, my son Ralph, I must speak with
him----No, no! Let me think; it's better that Lina alone should know
it."

The old man arose--tottered towards the bell, and rang it, nervelessly,
as if the silver knob were a hand he loathed to touch.

Agnes answered the summons, but even her self-possession gave way as she
saw the General's face, pale and almost convulsed, turned upon her.

"I have ordered the carriage--it will be at the door in a few moments,
sir," she stammered forth.

"Send it back to the stables: I shall not go out. The morning has
clouded over."

Agnes glanced at the sunshine pouring its silvery warmth through the
library window, but she did not venture to speak.

"Go," said General Harrington, in a suppressed voice, "go find your
pupil, and say that I wish to speak with her a moment."

"Miss Lina--is it Miss Lina I am to call?" stammered Agnes, taken by
surprise.

"It is Miss Lina that I wish to see; have the goodness to call her."

The courteous but peremptory voice in which this was said, left Agnes no
excuse for delay; and, though racked with curiosity, she was obliged to
depart on her errand.

The General sat down the moment he was alone--and shrouding his
forehead, lost himself in painful thought.

The door opened, and Lina came in, smiling like a sunbeam, and rosy with
assured happiness. "Did you send for me, General?" she said, drawing
close the chair in which the old man sat. "Is there something I can do
that will give you pleasure. I hope so!"

The General looked up; his eyes were heavy--his face bore an expression
she had never witnessed in it till then. He looked on her a moment, and
she saw the mist melting away from his glance, and it seemed to her that
his proud lip began to quiver.

"Have I offended you?" inquired Lina, with gentle regret. "What have I
done?"

The old man arose, and laying a hand on each of her shoulders, bore
heavily upon her, as he perused her face with an earnestness that made
her tremble. He lifted one hand at last, and sw