With the thrill of a great deliverance,
Into our arms forever more;
And thou shalt know these arms once curled
About thee—what we knew before—
How love is the only good in the world.
Henceforth be loved as heart can love,
Or brain devise, or hand approve.—Browning.
The confidential communication made by Mr. Perry, was probably a ruse on the part of that eccentric gentleman, for the purpose of obtaining the assistance of the officers in “making a night of it” over at his house. Certainly, on reaching the home of their host, they found company awaiting their arrival, and they passed the evening in the jolly festivity of country hospitality. A luxurious supper was served late at night, from which they did not separate until the “small hours.” Thus many of the guests overslept themselves the next morning, which delayed the family breakfast several hours. Therefore it was after ten o’clock, before Major Clifton, very much against the will of his odd entertainer, bid him farewell, and set out to return to Greenwood. It was eleven o’clock when he reached the farm-house. The ladies were all in their sitting-room, engaged in their various domestic occupations of netting, sewing, knitting, etc., when he entered, and gave them the morning salutation And then—
“How is Mrs. Clifton this morning, ladies? Can I see her immediately?”
“Mrs. Clifton, sir!” said the eldest lady, looking up in surprise. “Mrs. Clifton is gone sir. Did you not know it?”