Alick staid and dined with his uncle and cousin that day. And after dinner he would have taken leave to go home, but his uncle stopped him, saying:
“No, indeed, my boy. This is the first evening since we have been in Washington that I have had you all to myself, and I mean to have the good of you. Every other evening you have had to dance attendance on Anna to some place of amusement. There is no place to go to this evening, thank Heaven. And Anna is tired and is going to rest, so you just sit down and play a game of chess with me. Come, I will let you off at ten o’clock, but not a moment before.”
So Alexander sat down to the chess-board with his uncle and played until ten o’clock; and then bade him good night, and started for home.
CHAPTER XXIX.
HER LOVE.
Hers is the love which keeps
A constant watch-fire light,
With a flame that never sleeps
Through the longest winter night.—Eliza Cook.
Meanwhile, Drusilla slept long and deeply, like one much worn in mind and body. It was afternoon when she opened her eyes. She saw Pina sitting by her side. At first, she thought it was yet early in the morning, and that she had awakened at her usual hour, and she wondered why her maid should be watching by her bed; but in another moment, memory returned and reminded her of all the events of the day. And she thought of Alexander’s loving kindness to her, and she smiled with delight. Then she asked:
“Where is Mr. Lyon?”