"'Only, thanks to Miss Mabel's kindness, you have not had time to miss her,' the General said.
"'Oh, there never was such a nurse as Mabel,' cried she, 'but then I can't quite make a servant of her, willing as she is to sacrifice herself to my whims.'
"'I scarcely thought you regarded the girl Zillah quite as a servant,' said James, speaking for the first time. There was something so bitter in his voice, that I wondered they did not notice it.
"'Indeed I do not,' Mrs. Harrington replied. 'She is faithful and loving, and so handsome that it is like having some exotic flower about me.'
"'Mrs. Harrington never forgets what is due herself or others, James, whether they may be dependent or friends,' the General said, in a more reproving tone than I ever before heard him employ towards his wife's son.
"Again James' dark eyes flashed upon him that strange look of anger and defiance.
"'May I see the letter, mother?' he asked, quickly.
"'Certainly,' Mrs. Harrington said, stretching out her hand over the back of the sofa.
"As James took the letter, the General said—
"'Zillah is not likely to have any important secrets to write to your mother.'