nger. Precisely the same. And
surely what Esther had found, another could find, and he might find.
But while he was musing, Mrs. Dallas grew more and more uneasy. She
knew better than to try the force of persuasion upon her son. It would
not avail; and Mrs. Dallas was a proud woman, too proud to ask what
would not be granted, or to resist forcefully what she might not resist
successfully. She never withstood her husband's plans, or asked him to
change them, except in cases when she knew her opposition could be made
effective; so it did not at all follow that she was pleased where she
made no effort to hinder. It was the same in the case of her son,
though rarely proved until now. In the consciousness of her want of
power she was tempted to be a little vexed.

'My dear,' she said, 'what you say sounds to me very like Methodist
talk! They say the Methodists are spreading dreadfully.'

Pitt was silent, and then made a departure.

'How often I have wanted just the touch of these hands!' he said,
giving those he held a little squeeze. 'Mother, there is nothing in all
the world like them.'

CHAPTER XXIV.

_DISAPPOINTMENT_.

It was not till the little family were seated at the dinner-table, that
Pitt alluded to the object of his morning ramble.

'I went to see Colonel Gainsborough this morning,' he began; 'and to my
astonishment found the house shut up. What has become of him?'

'Gone away,' said his father shortly.

'Yes, that is plain; but where is he gone to?'

'New York.'

'New York! What took him away?'

'I believe a desire to put his daughter at school. A very sensible
desire.'

'To New York!' Pitt repeated. 'Why did you never mention it, mamma?'

'It never occurred to me to mention it. I did not suppose that the
matter was of any great interest to you.'

Mrs. Dallas had said just a word too much. Her last sentence set Pitt
to thinking.

'How long have they been gone?' he asked, after a short pause.

'Not long,' said Mr. Dallas carelessly. 'A few months, I believe.'

'A man told me you had bought the place?'

'Yes; it suited me to have it. The land is good, what there is of it.'

'But the house stands empty. What will you do with it?'

'Let it--as soon as anybody wants it.'

'Not much prospect of that, is there?'

'Not just now,' Mr. Dallas said drily.

There was a little pause again, and then Pitt asked,--

'Have you Colonel Gainsborough's address, sir?'

'No.'

'I suppose the