bid
farewell forever to all the enchanting scenes, pull up by the roots,
as it were, all cherished things. What should he take? What leave
behind? There would be little room on shipboard for the richly carved
mahogany chairs, sideboard, sofa, portraits of his ancestors. What use
would he have for them in exile? How dispose of them? Who would
purchase them? No one. How would he live in a foreign land? How occupy
his time? His mansion was his own; he was possessor of other houses
and lands, but all would be seized. He could take his silver plate,
his gold and silver coin; not much else.

"Oh dear! oh dear! has it come to this!" Mrs. Newville exclaimed,
"when we might have been far away, having everything heart could
wish!"

She cast a reproachful look upon Ruth.

"Oh, if you had only done as I wanted!"

A gentle hand wiped the tears from the mother's face.

"Mother, dear, the past is gone, never to return. If it were to come
again, bringing Lord Upperton, my answer to him would be as it was. We
will let that pass. I know your every thought has been for my welfare
and happiness. I trust I have not been ungrateful for all you have
done for me and for all you thought to do. I have not seen things as
you have seen them. You have been loyal to King George; you could
hardly do otherwise with father holding an office under the crown. I
have given my sympathies to the provincials, because I believe they
are standing for what is right. My heart has gone out to one who, I
doubt not, is over on yonder hill in arms against the king. I know the
greatness of his love, that he will be always true to me, as I shall
be to him."

The hand was still wiping away the tears; she was sitting between her
father and mother, and laid the other hand upon the father's palm.

"Through these winter nights, dear father and mother, while hearing
the cannon and the bursting shells, I have been looking forward to
this hour which has come at last."

Tears stood in her eyes, and her voice became tremulous.

"We have come to the parting hour. You will go, but I shall
stay,--stay to save the house, so that, by and by, when the heat of
passion has cooled, and the fire of hate is only ashes, when the war
is over and peace has come, as come it will, you can return to the old
home."

"Leave you behind, Ruth!"

"Yes, mother."

"To be insulted and abused by the hateful rebels! Never!"

"I shall not be insulted. I am sure I shall be kindly treated.