annoyed him. The young man knew not exactly how to
interpret the other's conduct, but was too much accustomed to his
habits to feel surprise, and respected him too greatly to desire to
intrude into anything he wished to conceal.

The carriage stopped before a fine, large brick mansion, worthy of a
merchant prince, fronting the Battery, and, of course, commanding a
view through the trees which shaded the greensward of that beautiful
spot, of the blue water, and islands, and the Jersey shore sweeping
away in the distance. Fashion, always capricious in her movements, has
deserted the lower part of Broadway and the Battery, by far the most
charming quarter of the city, to emigrate to a part of the island on
which New York is built, more remote from the marts of trade. Immense
warehouses occupy the sites where once stood the abodes of elegance
and hospitality, and the chaffer of traffic has succeeded to social
welcomes and greetings of conviviality.

The black servant who came to the door at the ringing of the bell,
stared with astonishment at the unusual figure of Pownal's companion,
but if disposed, as is the habit of his class, to be deficient in
respect to one not bearing the conventional stamp, a glance of the
young man's eye, and his marked deference toward the stranger, to say
nothing of the latter's natural air of authority, soon restored his
courtesy and usual obsequious attention. It was, therefore, with a
gracious expression of countenance and polite bow, that Mr. Johnson
ushered the two gentlemen into the parlor.

"Where is Mr. Pownal, Johnson?" inquired the young man.

"He is out of town, sir, with the whole family. I believe he went to
Albany, sir."

"Is Mrs. Corning in the house?"

"Mrs. Corning is just come back from market, sir. I heard her voice
only a minute ago."

"Say, I would like to speak to her."

In a few moments, Mrs. Corning, the housekeeper, a respectable-looking
woman, of some forty-five years of age, made her appearance, and
testified a hearty pleasure at seeing the young man, whom she kissed
with great affection, and by whom she was received with every mark of
regard.

The family, she said, in reply to the questions of Pownal, had been
absent, at Albany, where they were, on a visit to some relatives, for
three weeks, but were daily expected home. She was _so_ sorry they
were absent. They were all well, and would be so glad to see him
looking so well. She thought she had never seen