lar, madam," he replied; "but hearing of your
husband's departure, I thought I should lake the liberty of paying a
visit to an old acquaintance, and of offering my services, if you
should ever need them."

"I thank you for your kindness; and should I _ever_ need your
services, you may depend upon my availing myself of your offer;
although," she added, "I do not think it likely I shall stand in need
of any assistance."

"I rejoice to hear it, my dear madam," he replied; "but I trust," he
continued, on noticing the look of surprise which covered her
features, "that you will not think my offer in the least insulting;
for I can assure you, it was only prompted by the most friendly
motives, and the recollections of past days."

Mrs. Wentworth made no reply, and he continued: "I hope that, after an
absence of five years, the memory of the past has been banished from
you. With me things have changed materially. The follies of my youth
have, I trust, been expiated, and I am a different man now to what I
was when I last saw you."

"Mr. Awtry," replied Mrs. Wentworth, "I feel rather surprised that,
after your presence in New Orleans for so many months, you should not
have thought proper to renew our acquaintance until after the
departure of my husband."

"Pardon me," he quickly answered. "I was introduced to your husband by
a mutual friend; and as he never thought proper to extend an
invitation to me, I did not think myself authorized to call here.
Learning of his departure this morning, and knowing that his
circumstances were not of so favorable a character as he could wish, I
thought you might pardon my presumption in calling on you when you
learned the motive which actuated this visit--believe me, I am
sincere; and now," he continued, "will you accept my proffered hand of
friendship, and believe that my desire is only to aid the relatives of
one of the gallant men who have gone to struggle for their rights?"

Mrs. Wentworth paused a moment before she accepted the extended hand,
while her brow appeared clouded. At length, holding out her hand to
him, she said:

"I accept your offered friendship, Mr. Awtry, in the same spirit, as I
hope, it is given; but, at the same time, trust you shall never be
troubled with any importunities from me."

"Thank you--thank you," he replied eagerly; "I shall not prove
otherwise than worthy of your friendship. These are your children?" he
continued, changing the conversation.

"Yes,"