Moskoe. Having taken an active and prominent part in the presidential
campaign, and made frequent speeches, Russell found himself again opposed
by Mr. Huntingdon, who was equally indefatigable during the exciting
contest. The old feud received, if possible, additional acrimony, and there
were no bounds to the maledictions heaped upon the young and imperturbable
legislator by his virulent antagonist. Many predicted a duel or a street
encounter; but weeks passed, and though, in casual meetings, Mr.
Huntingdon's glare of hate was always answered by a mocking smile of cold
disdain, the cloud floated off without breaking into bloody showers.

Mr. Mitchell's health had failed so rapidly as winter approached, that Dr.
Arnold persuaded him to try the efficacy of a sea-voyage, and he had
accordingly sailed from New Orleans in a vessel bound for Genoa. Irene
begged the privilege of accompanying him, but her father peremptorily
refused; and she saw her uncle depart, and superintended the closing of his
house, with silent sorrow, and the feeling of one who knows that the night
is deepening around her.

Late in the afternoon of Christmas Day Irene went into the greenhouse to
gather a bouquet for an invalid friend in town, and had almost accomplished
her errand when the crash and whir of wheels drew her to the window that
looked out on the lawn. Her father had gone to the plantation early that
morning, and she had scarcely time to conjecture whom the visitor would
prove, when Hugh's loud voice rang through the house, and, soon after, he
came clattering in, with the end of his pantaloons tucked into his boots,
and his whip trailing along in true boyish fashion. As he threw down his
hat, scattering the petals of a snowy camellia, and drew near his cousin,
she saw that his face was deeply flushed, and his eyes somewhat bloodshot.

"Hugh! what are you doing here? Father expected you to overtake him at
Crescent Bend; you said last night that you would start by five o'clock."

"Merry Christmas, my beauty! I have come for my Christmas gift. Give it to
me, like the queen you are."

He stooped as if to kiss her, but she shrank back instantly, and said
gravely--

"You ought not to make promises which you have no idea of keeping; father
will be annoyed, and wonder very much what has happened. He was anxious
that you should go with him."

"Oh! confound the plantation! I wish it would sink! Of all other days none
but Christmas will suit hi