Unable to compose himself again that morning, he rang the bell, ordered his horse, seized his hat, went out, mounted, and rode away.
The next morning Catherine arose early, and among her orders for the day directed that the carriage should be at the door by ten o’clock. At the appointed hour she attired herself with care and taste, and went down into the front hall, where she found Major Clifton in readiness to attend her. They entered the carriage and set out, and in the course of a drive of five or six hours’ duration, made the circuit of the neighborhood, calling upon several families. And everywhere Catherine was received with distinguished respect. They reached home again about the middle of the afternoon.
The next few days passed on in the usual dreary routine—except that Catherine knew Major Clifton was out riding every day and all day, and that he was in his study writing half the night. She did not know what this portended until one morning he said to her—
“Mrs. Clifton, you will oblige me by having my wardrobe prepared and packed at your earliest convenience. I have orders to join the —— regiment within a week.”
Catherine turned very pale and reeled as if she would have fallen, but grasped the chair and steadied herself, till strength returned.
“All shall be ready for you,” she replied.
And he, with a cold bow of acknowledgment, went his way.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
“THE MEEKNESS OF LOVE”
So she strove against her weakness,
Though at times her spirit sank;