“But after living in Europe, and traveling so much, I should think that plantation would be horribly dull.  Do you never suffer from ennui, cut off as you are from all society?”

“Ennui is a disease of which I am yet happily ignorant.  But for my mother I should feel the need of society; in a great measure her presence supplies it.  I shall tell you no more, cousin mine, since you and Helen are to spend a portion of your summer with us, and can judge for yourselves of the attractions of my country home.”

“Are you residing near Mr. Arlington?” said Beulah.

“Quite near; his plantation adjoins mine.  Is he a friend of yours?”

“No; but I have a friend living this year in his family.  Miss Sanders is governess for his children.  You probably know her.”

“Yes; I see her occasionally.  Report says she is soon to become the bride of Richard Arlington.”

A slight smile curved his lips as he watched Beulah’s countenance.  She offered no comment, and he perceived that the on dit was not new to her.

“Beulah, I suppose you have heard of Dr. Hartwell’s intended journey to the East?  What an oddity he is!  Told me he contemplated renting a bungalow somewhere in heathendom, and turning either Brahmin or Parsee, he had not quite decided which.  He has sold his beautiful place to the Farleys.  The greenhouse plants he gave to mother, and all the statuary and paintings are to be sent to us until his return, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.  Father frets a good deal over this freak, as he calls it, and says the doctor had much better stay at home and physic the sick.  I thought it was a sudden whim; but he says he has contemplated the trip a long time.  He is going immediately, I believe.  It must be a trial to you,” said the thoughtless girl.

“Yes; I cannot realize it yet,” replied Beulah, struggling with herself for composure, and hastily setting down her teacup, which trembled violently.  The shadows swept over her once more.  Mr. Lindsay noticed her agitation, and, with delicate consideration, forbore to look at her.  Georgia continued heedlessly: 

“I wanted that melodeon that sits in his study; but, though the remainder of the furniture is to be auctioned off, he says he will not sell the melodeon, and requested my father to have it carefully locked up somewhere at home.  I asked if I might not use it, and what do you suppose he said?  That I might have his grand piano, if I would accept it, but that nobody was to touch his melodeon.  I told him he ought to send the piano out to you, in his absence; but he looked cross, and said you would not use it if he did.”

Poor Beulah! her lips quivered, and her fingers clasped each other tightly, but she said nothing.  Just then she heard Dr. Asbury’s quick step in the hall, and, to her infinite relief, he entered, accompanied by Helen.  She saw that, though his manner was kind and bantering as usual, there was an anxious look on his benevolent face, and his heavy brows occasionally knitted.  When he went into the adjoining room to see Mrs. Williams, she understood his glance, and followed him.  He paused in the hall, and said eagerly: