t thought
of it. Had she ceased to think of _him_ in any corresponding way? Pitt
was very sure she had not. Somehow his fancy was very busy with Esther
during this journey home. He was making amends for months of neglect.
Her delicate, tender, faithful image seemed to stand before
him;--forgetfulness would never be charged upon Esther, nor
carelessness of anything she ought to care for;--of that he was sure.
He was quite ashamed of himself, that he had sent her never a little
token of remembrance in all this time. He recalled the girl's eagerness
in study, her delight in learning, her modest, well-bred manner; her
evident though unconscious loving devotion to himself, and her profound
grief at his going away. There were very noble qualities in that young
girl that would develop--into what might they develop? and how would
those beautiful thoughtful eyes look from a woman's soul by and by? Had
his mother complied with his request and shown any kindness to the
child? Pitt had no special encouragement to think so. And what a life
it must be for such a creature, at twelve years old, to be alone with
that taciturn, reserved, hypochondriac colonel?

It was near evening when the stage-coach brought Pitt to his native
village and set him down at home. There was no snow on the ground yet,
and his steps rang on the hard frozen path as he went up to the door,
giving clear intimation of his approach. Within there was waiting. The
mother and father were sitting at the two sides of the fireplace, busy
with keeping up the fire to an unmaintainable standard of brilliancy,
and looking at the clock; now and then exchanging a remark about the
weather, the way, the distance, and the proper time of the expected
arrival,--till that sharp sound of a step on the gravel came to their
ears, and both parents started up and rushed to the door. There was a
general confusion of kisses and hand-clasps and embraces, from which
Pitt at last emerged.

'Oh, my boy, how late you are!'

'Not at all, mother; just right.'

'A tedious, cold ride, hadn't you?'

'No, mother; not at all. Roads in capital order; smooth as a plank
floor; came along splendidly; but there'll be snow to-morrow.'

'Oh, I hope not, till you get the greens!'

'Oh, I'll get the greens, never fear; and put them up, too.'

Wherewith they entered the brilliantly-lighted room, where the supper
table stood ready, and all eyes could meet eyes, and read tokens each
of the other's cond