“So I did.  But I have a letter this morning from the brother of Miss Arden, of whom I spoke last evening.  He leaves her at Albany to-day, and asks me to join her to-morrow.  They were on their way to Niagara; but unexpected business—­he is a lawyer—­requires him to return home; and I am to be the young lady’s escort.  So they have arranged the matter, and I cannot decline, of course.”

“Why should you?” Mrs. Dexter schooled her voice.  Its natural expression, at that time, might have betrayed a state of feeling that it would have been treason to exhibit.

“True.  Why should I?  The lady is charming.  I was going to say that she has not her peer.”

“Why not say it?” remarked Mrs. Dexter.

“Because,” replied Mr. Hendrickson, as his eyes withdrew themselves from the face of Mrs. Dexter, “I do not believe it.  She has her peer.”

“She must be a lovely woman so to captivate your fancy,” said Mrs. Dexter.

“Did I say that she had captivated my fancy?” asked Hendrickson.

“If not in so many formally spoken words, yet in a language that we ladies can read at a glance,” replied Mrs. Dexter, affecting a gay smile.  “Well,” she added, “as you are to be so largely the gainer by this sudden withdrawal from Newport, we quiet people, who cannot but miss your pleasant company, have nothing left but acquiescence.  I hope to make Miss Arden’s acquaintance on our return to B—.”

The voice of Mrs. Dexter had a faint huskiness and there were signs of depression which she was not able to conceal.  These the watchful eyes of Mr. Hendrickson detected.  But so far from taking any advantage thereof, he made an effort to divert both her mind and his own by the introduction of a more indifferent subject.  They conversed for half an hour longer, but no further reference was made to Miss Arden.  Then Mr. Hendrickson excused himself.  Mrs. Dexter did not see him again.

He left for Boston soon after, on his way to join Miss Arden at Albany.

From the parlor Mrs. Dexter returned to her own rooms, and did not leave them during the day.  She had felt feverish on rising, and was conscious of a pressure on the brain, accompanied by a feeling of lassitude that was unusual.  This condition of the system increased, as the day wore on.  At dinner-time, her husband urged her to go with him to the table; but she had a loathing for food, and declined.  He ordered a servant to take tea, with toast and some delicacies, to her room; but when he came up again, he found them untasted.

“Was this a disease of mind or body?” Mr. Dexter asked himself the question, and studied over the solution.  Notwithstanding the disturbed interview with his wife on the previous evening, he had kept his eyes on her, and noticed her meeting with Hendrickson in the parlor.  Her warning, however, had proved effectual in preventing his intrusion upon them.  He saw Hendrickson leave her, and noticed that she sat in deep abstraction for some time afterwards, and that when she arose, and went up to her own apartments, her face wore an expression that was unusual.  Much to his surprise, he saw Hendrickson leave soon after for Boston.  On examining the register, he learned that his destination was Albany.