"I answered him pleasantly; he was so elegant and thorough-bred that one was insensibly forced to restrain even pettish thoughts in his presence. But I was abashed all the while, for I noticed that as the General came up to the sofa, James immediately retreated and resumed his seat in the window. He had often of late betrayed those little signs of desiring to avoid the General's society, and they puzzled me very much, for the elder man's behavior to him was always friendly and courteous in the extreme.
"'I need not ask after your health, James,' the General said, good naturedly, 'because it cannot have materially altered since I made the inquiry an hour ago.'
"'What is that letter?' asked Mrs. Harrington, with the curiosity that becomes habitual with most invalids, and speaking so quickly, that James' disregard of his stepfather's remark was not noticeable.
"'It is for you, madam; I could not resist the pleasure of giving it to you myself, for I know how much you like to receive letters.'
"'Thanks! You manage in everything to give me a double pleasure,' she said, taking the letter from his hand and tearing it open.
"'From Zillah,' she said, glancing down the page.
"I saw James start. He caught me looking at him, and quieted himself at once; but I noted his agitation plainly.
"The General was busy wheeling an easy chair near the sofa, and did not catch his wife's remark.
"'From whom did you say it was, my dear?' he asked.
"'From Zillah,' she replied, without looking up.