The morning of the twenty-second of May broke brightly over the far-famed “Crescent City.”  Crowds of citizens were seen congregating on Canal street to witness the departure of two more regiments of Orleanians.  The two regiments were drawn up in line between Camp and Carondelet streets, and their fine uniforms, glistening muskets and soldierly appearance created a feeling of pride among the people.  They were composed principally of Creoles and Americans, proper.  The handsome, though dark complexions of the Creoles could be seen lit up with enthusiasm, in conversation with the dark-eyed Creole beauties of the city, while the light-haired and fair-faced sons of the Crescent City were seen mingling among the crowd of anxious relatives who thronged to bid them farewell.

Apart from the mass of volunteers—­who had previously stacked their arms—­Alfred Wentworth and his wife were bidding that agonizing farewell, which only those who have parted from loved one can feel.  His little bright-eyed daughter was clasped in his arms, and every minute he would stoop over his infant and kiss its tiny cheeks.  Marks of tears were on the eyelids of his wife, but she strove to hide them, and smiled at every remark made by her daughter.  They were alone from the eyes of a curious crowd.  Each person present had too much of his own acquaintances to bid farewell, to notice the speechless farewell which the soldier gave his wife.  With one arm clasped around her, and the other holding his daughter, Alfred Wentworth gazed long and earnestly at the features of his wife and children, as if to impress the features of those loved ones still firmer in his mind.

“Attention, battalion!” rang along the line in stentorian tones, and the voices of the company officers calling “fall in, boys, fall in!” were heard in the streets.  Clasping his wife to his heart, and imprinting a fond, fond kiss of love upon her cheeks, and embracing his children, the soldier took his place in the ranks, and after the necessary commands, the volunteers moved forward.  A crowd of their relatives followed them to the depot of the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad, and remained until the cars were out of sight.  After the troops had entered, and the train was slowly moving off, one of the soldiers jumped from the platform, and, embracing a lady who stood near, exclaimed: 

“Farewell, dearest Eva!  God bless you and the children—­we shall meet again.”  As soon as he spoke, Alfred Wentworth sprang into the cars again and was soon swiftly borne from the city.

Mrs. Wentworth remained standing where her husband had left her, until the vast crowd had dispersed, and nothing could be seen of the train but a thin wreath of smoke emerging from the tree-tops in the distance.  Calling the colored nurse, who had followed with the children, she bade her return home, and accompanied her back to her now lonely residence.

CHAPTER SECOND.