He pulled her close to him, her head fell against his shoulder. He smoothed back her hair, drew out his handkerchief and wiped her eyes. 'And if it should be, will that change our feeling for each other? Will time or distance diminish our affection?'

'No,' she whispered, 'nothing could do that: not even death, I think.'

'Well, then, no more tears or forebodings, I entreat you. I cannot stand them just now.'

He rose and paced quickly up and down the rug before her and turned to the kettle which purred gently on the hob beside a small fire.

'I'll make you a cup of tea, my dear,' he said briskly. 'It's curious how many sorrows may be alleviated by a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or a good cigar. No, it's true. Don't look at me as though I were an unfeeling monster. There is much solace in the little things of life.'

She accepted the steaming cup and choked down some of its contents. 'Dolly Madison said something like that to me once. '

' And Dolly was right. She is a clever woman'. He went to the window and stared out at the risen sun.

'It's time, isn't it?' she said hoarsely.

He nodded. 'So wish me Godspeed, Theodosia, but remember we have been parted many times before. This is no different because my journey is longer. Discipline yourself; never relax your habits of study and thought. Train Gampy for the high destiny he may yet achieve, and write to me, as I will you, constantly.'

His eyes glistened; he kissed her quickly on the forehead and smiled at her. It was that smile—tender, seductive, brilliant—which comforted her after he was gone. It made him seem young and supremely confident. It banished fear. He had known great misfortune, he had been cruelly used, but it was over now. This time in this new venture he would succeed. Her desolation lightened.

Far out to sea with all sails set the schooner Clarissa sped merrily toward Europe, and on the poop deck Mr. G. H. Edwards, huddled in a greatcoat, strained his eyes for a last glimpse of American shores. He had embarked upon a four-year exile.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

THEODOSIA traveled back to Carolina, using the public conveyances, as there was no vessel in New York Harbor ready to sail for the South. She did not write Joseph of her coming, knowing that she herself was traveling with the mail and would reach the Waccamaw at the same time that a letter would.

It was June, and Gampy was no doubt at Debordieu with Eleanore, but even of this she was not sure. She hired a carriage at Conway, where she left the mail coach, and drove down the Waccamaw Neck to the Oaks. Here she would learn of the whereabouts of her husband and son.