"He knows that he always has my best wishes; but will expect no message."
On the following day Electra started to Richmond, taking with her a large supply of hospital stores, which the ladies of W—— had contributed.
Eric had proposed to his niece the expediency of selling the Hill, and becoming an inmate of his snug, tasteful, bachelor home; but she firmly refused to consent to this plan: said that she would spend her life in the house of her birth; and it was finally arranged that her uncle should reserve such of the furniture as he valued particularly, and offer the residue for sale, with the pretty cottage, to which he was warmly attached. During the remainder of autumn Irene was constantly engaged in superintending work for the soldiers, in providing for several poor families in whom she was much interested, and in frequent visits to the plantation, where she found more than enough to occupy her mind; and Eric often wondered at the admirable system and punctuality she displayed—at the grave composure with which she discharged her daily duties, and the invariable reticence she observed with regard to her past life.
CHAPTER XXXII
WOMANLY USEFULNESS
"Did you ring, Mas' Eric?"
"Yes. Has Irene come home?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Bring some more wood."