When he arrived at the house in the evening he found Bertha in the parlor, with Jack and Janey, who were to be allowed to share the farewell dinner.
As she advanced to meet him with a child on either side, he was struck by certain changes which he observed in her dress and manner. She wore a dark, simple gown, her hair was dressed a trifle more closely and plainly than usual, and there was no color about her. When she gave him her hand, and stood with the other resting on Jack's shoulder, her eyes uplifted to his own, he was bewildered by a feeling that he was suddenly brought face to face with a creature quite strange to him. He could not have said that she was actually cold and reserved, but there was that in the quiet of her manner which suggested both reserve and coldness.
"I have allowed the children to stay downstairs," she said, "and they are to dine with us if they will be good. They wished very much to see as much of you as possible—as it will be some time before they return—and I think they will be quiet."
"If you will seat one on each side of me," said Tredennis, "I will keep them quiet."
"You are very kind," she answered, "but I should scarcely like to do that."
And then she returned to her seat by the window, and he sat opposite her on the end of a sofa, with Janey leaning against his knee.
"You are not going to Fortress Monroe?" he said.
"No," she replied; "I am going to the Virginia mountains."
"I should think that would be better," he said, putting an arm around Janey.