e at the Allen House had
been quite secluded. She had been courteous to all the people with whom
she was brought into any degree of contact, and had reciprocated all
friendly visits; but there was a certain distance between her and them,
that it seemed impossible for either to pass over. One of my inferences
was, that, in removing from the retired old mansion, and taking a modern
house, she would stand out more prominently before all eyes than was
agreeable to her. Be this as it may, she was in earnest about removing
to Boston.

I happened to be present when the announcement of this purposed removal
was made to Mr. Wallingford. He had called in, during one of my visits
to Mrs. Montgomery, for the transaction of some business.

"To Boston?" he said, in a tone of surprise, and, I thought,
disappointment. At the same time I saw his eyes turned towards Blanche.

"Yes; I think it will be best," she replied. "If I have any interests
here, I feel that they are safe in your hands, Mr. Wallingford."

She leaned a little towards him, and I thought her voice had in it a
softer tone than usual. Her eyes looked steadily into his face.

"I will do all that is right, madam." He spoke a little lower than
usual.

"And the right is always the best in any case, Mr. Wallingford," said
she with feeling.

"How soon do you think of removing?" the young man inquired.

"In three or four weeks."

"So soon."

Again I noticed that his eyes wandered towards Blanche, who sat close to
her mother, with her face bent down and turned partly away.

"There is no reason why we should linger in S----, after all things are
ready for removal. It would have suited my feelings and habits of mind
to have remained here; but as this cannot be, I prefer going to Boston
on more than one account."

"You will leave behind you many sincere friends," said Wallingford.

There was more feeling in his voice than usually showed itself; and I
again observed that Mrs. Montgomery, in responding to the remark, fixed
her eyes upon him steadily, and with, I thought, a look of more than
usual interest.

The few weeks of preparation glided swiftly away, and then we parted
from friends who had won their way into our own hearts; and whose memory
would ever be to us like the fragrance of holy incense. I learned from
Mrs. Montgomery, before she left us, during a more confidential talk
than usual, that her income was comparatively small, and that the
chief part of this