“Urge you to remain?  By the Furies—­no!  I urge you to go!  Yes—­go!  I no longer want you here.  Your presence would irritate me beyond measure.  But listen to me.  I am going to New York on business; had intended taking you with me; but, since you are so stubbornly proud, I can consent to leave you.  I shall start to-morrow evening—­rather earlier than I expected—­and shall not return before September, perhaps even later.  What your plans are I shall not inquire; but it is my request that you remain in this house, under Mrs. Watson’s care, until your school duties commence; then you will, I suppose, remove elsewhere.  I also request, particularly, that you will not hesitate to use the contents of a purse which I shall leave on my desk for you.  Remember that in coming years, when trials assail you, if you need a friend, I will still assist you.  You will leave me now, if you please, as I have some letters to write.”  He motioned her away, and, unable to frame any reply, she left the room.

Though utterly miserable, now that her guardian seemed so completely estranged, her proud nature rebelled at his stern dismissal, and a feeling of reckless defiance speedily dried the tears on her cheek.  That he should look down upon her with scornful indifference stung her almost to desperation, and she resolved, instead of weeping, to meet and part with him as coldly as his contemptuous treatment justified.  Weary in mind and body she fell asleep, and soon forgot all her plans and sorrows.  The sun was high in the heavens when Harriet waked her, and, starting up, she asked: 

“What time is it?  How came I to sleep so late?”

“It is eight o’clock.  Master ate breakfast an hour ago.  Look here, child; what is to pay?  Master is going off to the North, to be gone till October.  He sat up all night, writing and giving orders about things on the place, ’specially the greenhouse and the flower seeds to be saved in the front yard.  He has not been in such a way since seven years ago.  What is in the wind now?  What ails him?” Harriet sat with her elbows on her knees, and her wrinkled face resting in the palms of her hands.  She looked puzzled and discontented.

“He told me last night that he expected to leave home this evening; that he was going to New York on business.”  Beulah affected indifference; but the searching eyes of the old woman were fixed on her, and, as she turned away, Harriet exclaimed: 

“Going this evening!  Why, child, he has gone.  Told us all good-by, from Mrs. Watson down to Charon.  Said his trunk must be sent down to the wharf at three o’clock; that he would not have time to come home again.  There, good gracious! you are as white as a sheet; I will fetch you some wine.”  She hurried out, and Beulah sank into a chair, stunned by the intelligence.

When Harriet proffered a glass of cordial she declined it, and said composedly: