"'No,' said the General, 'there are many subjects upon which her opinion, once formed, she would never change, I fancy,' and he smiled with a significance which I thoroughly understood.
"I murmured some unintelligible excuse, and left the room. I heard Mrs. Harrington say—
"'See Miss Eaton, dear, and settle about going to ride.' But I did not promise to do so."
CHAPTER LIII.
ZILLAH IS ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF HER MISTRESS.
"As I passed the salon, the door was open, and I saw the girl, Zillah, standing before James, talking eagerly, and evidently in a fierce state of excitement. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes blazing—she raised her hands with a quick, Southern gesture of entreaty. I thought she was about to lay them on his arm.
"That moment he caught sight of me, and made a little sign—she checked herself at once. He looked disconcerted, but the girl's assurance was not so easily shaken. She followed me at once, and as she overtook me, said—
"'Oh, Miss Crawford, I am so near crazy with joy at finding myself with the mistress and all of you, again, that I don't know what I do or say. I was just telling Mr. James how happy it made me to see my dear mistress looking so much better. She is better, Miss Mabel, you are certain sure of that.'
"Her look was eager; her eyes searched mine with keen scrutiny.
"'She is greatly improved,' I replied, coldly.