Harrington and the General together, for I knew that she
would wish to be alone with him to receive his farewell; for it was so
seldom that he left her, and her nerves were so fragile and excitable
from long illness, that this brief separation and journey were matters
of painful import to her.

"But whatever the General's decision in any case might be, it was seen
to be right in her eyes; and it was not wonderful that she trusted him
so implicitly, for his manner to her was always perfect, his care and
attention to her unvarying; besides all, his judgment was seldom at
fault.

"I went away to my room; as I passed through the corridor, I heard Lucy
Eaton's voice on the landing above, and I hurried on, for I was in no
mood to listen patiently to her girlish chatter.

"I was alone for a long hour, and it was a sad, dark watch that I kept
there by myself in that gloomy chamber. The very fact that so many
varying suspicions disturbed me, that they were all so vague and
shifting, made my reflections full of unrest. But I could settle upon
nothing--could form no conclusion.

"Only the other day I had believed that he loved Lucy Eaton--at least
that he was captivated by her golden curls, blue eyes, and her pretty
childish ways; the weak fascinations that seem to possess such strange
power for the strongest men."

CHAPTER L.

MISS EATON MAKES MISS CRAWFORD A VISIT.

"The next morning there came a knock at the door; it was my maid. She
came to inform me that the General was ready to start, and desired to
bid me good-bye.

"I went down stairs and met him coming out of his wife's room.

"'Pray go and comfort her,' he said in a tremulous voice; 'I would not
have undertaken this journey if I had thought that she would have felt
it so much, though she insists on my going; she is very cheerful now,
but I am afraid she will break down when I am gone.'

"'I will do all that I can to comfort her,' I said.

"'I am sure of that! I could not leave her if you were not here. James
is fond of his mother--but--well, young men will be young men.'

"I did not attempt to return his smile--I was too indignant with young
Mr. Harrington to aid in glossing over his conduct.

"'Believe me, my dear ward,' said the General suddenly, 'only a grave
reason has made me start on this journey. Good bye--God bless you. Let
me find you well and happy when I return.'

"He touched my forehead gently with his lips, and was gone.

"I was ab