To our deep regret, Mrs. Montgomery decided to change the place of her residence from S——­to Boston.  All the reasons that led her to this decision, I was not able to discover.  Her life at the Allen House had been quite secluded.  She had been courteous to all the people with whom she was brought into any degree of contact, and had reciprocated all friendly visits; but there was a certain distance between her and them, that it seemed impossible for either to pass over.  One of my inferences was, that, in removing from the retired old mansion, and taking a modern house, she would stand out more prominently before all eyes than was agreeable to her.  Be this as it may, she was in earnest about removing to Boston.

I happened to be present when the announcement of this purposed removal was made to Mr. Wallingford.  He had called in, during one of my visits to Mrs. Montgomery, for the transaction of some business.

“To Boston?” he said, in a tone of surprise, and, I thought, disappointment.  At the same time I saw his eyes turned towards Blanche.

“Yes; I think it will be best,” she replied.  “If I have any interests here, I feel that they are safe in your hands, Mr. Wallingford.”

She leaned a little towards him, and I thought her voice had in it a softer tone than usual.  Her eyes looked steadily into his face.

“I will do all that is right, madam.”  He spoke a little lower than usual.

“And the right is always the best in any case, Mr. Wallingford,” said she with feeling.

“How soon do you think of removing?” the young man inquired.

“In three or four weeks.”

“So soon.”

Again I noticed that his eyes wandered towards Blanche, who sat close to her mother, with her face bent down and turned partly away.

“There is no reason why we should linger in S——­, after all things are ready for removal.  It would have suited my feelings and habits of mind to have remained here; but as this cannot be, I prefer going to Boston on more than one account.”

“You will leave behind you many sincere friends,” said Wallingford.

There was more feeling in his voice than usually showed itself; and I again observed that Mrs. Montgomery, in responding to the remark, fixed her eyes upon him steadily, and with, I thought, a look of more than usual interest.

The few weeks of preparation glided swiftly away, and then we parted from friends who had won their way into our own hearts; and whose memory would ever be to us like the fragrance of holy incense.  I learned from Mrs. Montgomery, before she left us, during a more confidential talk than usual, that her income was comparatively small, and that the chief part of this, a pension from Government in acknowledgment of her husband’s services, would cease at her death.  There was a momentary failure in her voice as she said this, and her eyes turned with the instinct of love towards Blanche.