"O youth, eager and beautiful," thought the mother who listened, "that
in this phase is so alike the world over,--so impatient to do, so ready
to brave encounters, so willing to dare and die! May the doing be
faithful, and the encounters be patiently as well as bravely fought, and
the fancy of heroic death be a reality of noble and earnest life. God
grant it! Amen."

"Meanwhile," said the gay voice,--"meanwhile it's a pleasant world; let
us enjoy it! and as to do this is within the compass of a man's wit,
therefore will I attempt the doing."

While he was talking he had once more come to the window, and, looking
out, fastened his eyes unconsciously but intently upon the face of a
young girl who was slowly passing by,--unconsciously, yet so intently
that, as if suddenly magnetized, a flicker of feeling went over it; the
mouth, set with a steady sweetness, quivered a little; the eyes--dark,
beautiful eyes--were lifted to his an instant, that was all. The mother
beside him did not see; but she heard a long breath, almost a sigh,
break from him as he started, then flashed out of the room, snatching
his hat in the hall, and so on to the street, and away.

Away after her, through block after block, across the crowded avenue to
Broadway. "Who is she? where did she come from? _I_ never saw her
before. I wonder if Mrs. Russell knows her, or Clara, or anybody! I will
know where she lives, or where she is going at least,--that will be some
clew! There! she is stopping that stage. I'll help her in! no, I
won't,--she will think I am chasing her. Nonsense! do you suppose she
saw you at the window? Of course! No, she didn't; don't be a fool!
There! I'll get into the next stage. Now I'll keep watch of that, and