“Shall I go or stay, mother? I will do as you bid me.”
Catharine looked at her with sad affection; she saw the wild hope breaking through all the anger in those flashing eyes, and would not quench it.
“Go where your heart is,” she replied, “and be happy.”
“But you will miss me?”
“I shall know that you are happy; it will not be for long—you will soon come back again.”
Queen Esther turned abruptly and left the lodge.
An hour passed in sorrowful conversation. Then they were disturbed by the appearance of Butler’s soldiers, leading Tahmeroo’s horse in their midst. The girl clung, weeping, to her mother.
Catharine pressed her once more to her bosom.
“Go,” she murmured; “and if we never meet again, remember how fondly I have loved you, and all that I have said.”
Tahmeroo sprang on to her horse with a burst of tears, and rode away. Catharine stood watching her from the door of her lodge. As the train reached a turn in the path, Tahmeroo checked her courser, and looked back, waving her hand in a last farewell. Catharine returned the signal, and the band disappeared, leaving the childless woman gazing sorrowfully after them through the windings of the forest.