stir--did not even look round.
Was it because he was afraid to let us see his face?

"Zillah stopped in the recess, and I heard her say in a faltering
voice--

"'Mr. James, Mr. James! Everybody else is glad to see poor Zillah back,
but you will not even speak to me.'

"He turned then. He was very pale, and his features were set and hard. I
was certain this arose from a violent effort to conceal his feelings.

"'I am very glad you are well again,' he said; 'my mother has missed
you.'

"The girl made a quick, angry gesture, and I saw--yes, I could swear
that it was not fancy--I saw James Harrington make a little sign with
his hand, as if to caution her.

"She checked herself at once, and with a few broken words about her love
of her mistress, she turned away and went hastily out of the room.

"'Poor Zillah,' said Mrs. Harrington, 'she could not bear it any longer;
she has gone away to have a good cry all by herself. She is the most
sensitive, affectionate creature I ever saw in my life. I must go after
her or she will be getting into one of her desperate fits, thinking
nobody is pleased to have her back.'

"'Better leave her to herself,' the General said, carelessly; 'I think
the girl is a good deal spoiled already--better not add to it.'

"James darted a perfectly furious glance at him as he spoke, then turned
and looked out of the window again.

"'Perhaps you are right, dear,' Mrs. Harrington said; 'I do spoil the
child, but she is so pretty, I really cannot help it.'

"'A reason that answers with women,' said the General, smiling, 'and
young men,' he added to himself, but I caught the words, low as they
were spoken.

"I suppose my face betrayed that I had heard him, for he gave me a
little deprecatory bow and smile, half playful, half apologetic.

"James moved suddenly from the window and was leaving the room.

"'Are you going out, dear?' his mother asked.

"'Not yet,' he answered, 'Have you any commands, _madre mia_?'

"'None, I believe,' she replied with her happiest smile. 'Perhaps Mabel
has, though.'

"'Miss Crawford has only to express them,' he replied, half turning
toward me, his voice changing so quickly, growing so cold and
indifferent, that I wondered even his mother, unobservant as she was,
did not notice it.

"'You are too kind,' I answered, and if his tone was cold, mine
certainly, was haughty enough. 'I have none with which I need trouble
you.'

"The General, whom nothing escaped