silken ringlets, lay close against her bosom. The chamber was not
large nor richly furnished, though everything was in good taste and
comfortable. A few articles were out of harmony with the rest and
hinted at better days. One of these was a large secretary of curious
workmanship, inlaid with costly woods and pearl and rich with
carvings. Another was a small mantel clock of exquisite beauty. Two
or three small but rare pictures hung on the walls.

Looking closely into the man's strong intellectual face, you would
have seen something that marred the harmony of its fine features and
dimmed its clear expression--something to stir a doubt or awaken a
feeling of concern. The eyes, that were deep and intense, had a
shadow in them, and the curves of the mouth had suffering and
passion and evidences of stern mental conflict in every line. This
was no common man, no social drone, but one who in his contact with
men was used to making himself felt.

"Come home early, Ralph, won't you?" said his wife.

The man bent down and kissed her, and then pressed his lips to the
baby's head.

"Yes, dear; I don't mean to stay late. If it wasn't for the
expectation of meeting General Logan and one or two others that I
particularly wish to see, I wouldn't go at all. I have to make good,
you know, all the opportunities that come in my way."

"Oh yes, I know. You must go, of course." She had taken her
husband's hand, and was holding it with a close pressure. He had to
draw it away almost by force.