changing her mind,' said Mrs.
Harrington.

"'No,' said the General, 'there are many subjects upon which her
opinion, once formed, she would never change, I fancy,' and he smiled
with a significance which I thoroughly understood.

"I murmured some unintelligible excuse, and left the room. I heard Mrs.
Harrington say--

"'See Miss Eaton, dear, and settle about going to ride.' But I did not
promise to do so."

CHAPTER LIII.

ZILLAH IS ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF HER MISTRESS.

"As I passed the _salon_, the door was open, and I saw the girl, Zillah,
standing before James, talking eagerly, and evidently in a fierce state
of excitement. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes blazing--she raised her
hands with a quick, Southern gesture of entreaty. I thought she was
about to lay them on his arm.

"That moment he caught sight of me, and made a little sign--she checked
herself at once. He looked disconcerted, but the girl's assurance was
not so easily shaken. She followed me at once, and as she overtook me,
said--

"'Oh, Miss Crawford, I am so near crazy with joy at finding myself with
the mistress and all of you, again, that I don't know what I do or say.
I was just telling Mr. James how happy it made me to see my dear
mistress looking so much better. She is better, Miss Mabel, you are
certain sure of that.'

"Her look was eager; her eyes searched mine with keen scrutiny.

"'She is greatly improved,' I replied, coldly.

"'I was very sick, too, Miss Mabel,' she went on; 'at one time I thought
I should die, and never see her again, or the master; master James, I
mean, or any one. Oh, it seemed as if heaven was cruel to me, as if
everything I saw was cruel.'

"'That is absolutely wicked, Zillah,' I answered, almost harshly.

"'I know it. I am sorry now--but I could not help it. We cannot always
put down wicked feelings. But you are sure that the mistress is
better--getting well?'

"I was a little conscience-stricken by the thought that there had been
slight Christian feeling in the admonition I had given her, and so found
nothing to say, except that I was sure Mrs. Harrington was almost quite
well.

"'Are we going to stay here long, Miss Mabel?' she asked, following me,
'now that she is so much better--quite well--did you say quite well,
young mistress.'

"'I don't know--perhaps, since Mrs. Harrington seems so much benefited
by the air. The doctor considers her almost cured--there is only the
weakness to