The Blennerhassetts welcomed the Prince Consort with their usual warm-hearted Irish verve. Their cordiality, however, sagged under the chill of Joseph's heavy silences. He was ill at ease, uncertain whether he was in truth seeing the inception of a mighty coup d'etat, or whether he was being humbugged. He also had heard ugly rumors in the East, and they had made him very uncomfortable. Whatever the outcome, this was no place for Theodosia. The fever period in Carolina had passed. She must return with him to her rightful home.

For once she could not budge him. When Father talks to him, it will be all right, she thought.

But Aaron cruelly disappointed her. 'I'm afraid you must go, my dear, though you know how much I hate to part with you. Matters are not yet matured. It would be unwise to bring Gampy until we have a settled place in which to receive him, and he needs you. Youhad better go back for a littlewhile'. Her eyes filled with tears. 'I thought I should never have to go back. I hate it there, and it is so far from you. I shall never know what is happening——'

'No tears, no nerves, no self-indulgence, my darling. You know I hate them,' said Aaron, with brisk tenderness. 'I will keep you apprised of our movements, using the same cipher we have used before. Burn the letters as soon as you read them and hold yourself in readiness to join me instantly—with Gampy.'

'I will,'she whispered. 'Oh, I will.'

Mrs. Blennerhassett was loath to part with her. During Theo's last day on the island she could scarcely let her out of her sight. 'I never knew that I could dote on a female as I do on you, Theo,' said the good lady, for she had temporarily dropped her reverence for her 'sovereign in expectancy' and felt for Theo a genuine affection. 'We shall meet soon again, though, in Mexico,' she added, her eyes beaming. 'Sure, and we must drink to that'. She clapped her hands and ordered a bottle of Madeira brought up.

She poured them each a glass, and Theo, half-laughing, half-sighing, allowed her hostess to clink it solemnly against hers. 'To Mexico,' said Theo.

' To the fairest and sweetest Princess that will ever adorn a throne,' said Mrs. Blennerhassett. Alas, that she should be fettered to such an ill-mannered boor as Alston! she thought, but this she could not say.

So, much against her inclination, but in obedience to her father's wishes, Theodosia left Blennerhassett Island and returned to the Waccamaw.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE