She was naturally an affectionate little thing, and much given
to acting upon the impulse of the moment.

"I shall always love you, dear Mrs. Richardson, and you will let me come
to see you, will you not?" she asked, appealingly.

"Certainly, dear. I shall be very glad to see you at any time," she
answered, heartily, and deeply touched by the young girl's evident
affection for her; but she changed the subject, and began to chat
entertainingly upon other topics, for she saw that she was really
depressed by the thought of going back to her "soulless" home.

The next morning an elegant carriage, drawn by a pair of coal-black
horses in silver-mounted harness, drove to the humble home of the
Richardsons in Hughes street, and the colored driver presented a note
from Mrs. Mencke, saying that Violet was to return home at once; that
she had an important engagement and could not come for her herself, but
wished that the nurse should attend her instead.

Violet was very pale and quiet as they dressed her for the drive, while
her heavy eyes often turned to the door leading into the sitting-room
with a wistful, regretful glance.

"I shall miss you so much, Mrs. Richardson. You will come to see me,
will you not?" she said, as she put up her lips for her good-by kiss.

"Yes, I will come within a few days. I shall want to know how you are
getting on. There, you are all ready now, I believe," she concluded, as
she folded a light shawl about her shoulders, for though the day was
warm, they wished to guard against all danger of her taking cold.

But Violet stood irresolute a moment, then she said:

"I want--may I go to say good-by to all--to Mr. Richardson?" and a
burning flush mounted to her brow as she made the request.

Mrs. Richardson looked grave as she remarked the blush, but she gave the
desired permission; and while she went to assist the nurse to put
Violet's things in the carriage, the young girl moved slowly toward the
sitting-room, where she found Wallace, looking pale and depressed, his
fine lips drawn into a firm, white line.

"I have come to say good-by," Violet remarked, as she approached him
with downcast eyes. "I--I hope you will soon be quite well again; but,
oh! Mr. Richardson, if I could only do something to show you how----"

"Please, Miss Huntington, never refer to the accident in that way
again," Wallace returned, speaking almost coldly, because of the
restraint he was imposing upon himself.

He had no