, looked curiously from one to the
other, but did not speak.

"'You will not be gone long, James?' Mrs. Harrington asked, with the
unconscious spirit of exaction which is apt to grow upon those who have
been ill and suffered a good deal.

"'Not long enough for you to miss me, dear,' he replied, and his voice
was kind and gentle as ever.

"I must do him that justice at least--his manner to his mother never
varied. Whatever the secret was that disturbed him, however much
preoccupied he might be--and sometimes he looked worn and troubled, as a
man might who was struggling with evil spirits--he had always cheerful
words and smiles at his command for her.

"He went up to her now, kissed her and said something in a low
voice--some pleasant, affectionate words, I knew by the light that came
over her face.

"'Good morning, James,' said the General kindly.

"'Good morning, General Harrington,' returned he in a hard, steely
voice, bowed to me, and quitted the room abruptly.

"The General shrugged his shoulders, looked somewhat impatient, and a
little amused.

"I had withdrawn to the window, and the General, walking up and down the
room, passed me, and stopped a moment.

"'I gave up being astonished a good many years ago,' said he, 'but I
confess the conduct of that eccentric young gentleman almost surprises
me.'

"I am afraid my smile expressed something like contempt.

"'Wasn't it Rochefoucault who said, a woman is happiest when most
deceived?' he asked, with a glance towards his wife. 'Either he or some
other misanthropic old Frenchman; but whoever it was, master James has
evidently read and remembered the maxim.'

"'What conspiracy are you and Mabel hatching?' laughed Mrs. Harrington
from her chair.

"'Just at this instant,' returned the General, 'I am telling Miss Mabel
that she looks a little pale and out of spirits.'

"'She has been kept in the house too much since you went away,' his wife
said. 'Mabel, dear, James must take you and Miss Eaton to drive.'

"'I dare say he has engagements,' I answered carelessly. 'The courier
can go with us perfectly well, and with him we can take the liberty of
changing our minds as often as we please, about what we shall do.'

"'And that, I suppose, is a great happiness to young ladies,' said the
General, playfully.

"'At all events, it is the charge made against us from time immemorial,'
I replied, trying to speak in the same tone.

"'I am sure Mabel is not given to