"Entirely. She grows more beautiful day by day."
Perhaps he wished to hear more concerning her, but she would not gratify him, and, soon after, he took up his hat.
"Mr. Clifton has a spare room, Russell; why can't you stay with us while you are in New York?"
"Thank you; but Mr. Campbell will expect me at the hotel. I shall be needed, too, as he has many letters to write. I will see you to-morrow, and indeed every day while I remain in the city."
"Then pay your visits in the morning, for I want to take your portrait with my own hands. Give me a sitting as early as possible."
"Very well; look for me to-morrow. Good night."
The week that followed was one of strangely mingled sorrows and joys; in after years it served as a prominent landmark to which she looked back and dated sad changes in her heart. Irene remained ignorant of Russell's presence in the city, and at last the day dawned on which the vessel was to sail. At the breakfast table Mr. Clifton noticed the colourlessness of his pupil's face, but kindly abstained from any allusion to it. He saw that, contrary to habit, she drank a cup of coffee, and, arresting her arm as she requested his mother to give her a second, he said gently—
"My dear child, where did you suddenly find such Turkish tastes? I thought you disliked coffee?"
"I take it now as medicine. My head aches horribly."
"Then let me prescribe for you. We will go down to the steamer with Russell, and afterward take a long drive to Greenwood, if you like."