"
"Give her my love," answered Eugenia, "and tell her to write more
definitely of her situation. She never particularizes, but merely
says she is very happy. I do hope Mrs. Elliott will make something
of her!"
The next moment Mr. Hastings's good-by was ringing in her ears,
and he was gone. Seating herself upon the stairs, and covering her
face with her hands, Eugenia wept bitterly, and this was their
parting.
One week later and at the same hour in the evening, Mr. Hastings
sat in his sister's pleasant parlor, looking out upon the blue
waters of the Hudson, and wondering why, as the time for his
departure drew near, his heart should cling so fondly to the
friends he was to leave behind. "I shall see them again if I
live," he said, "and why this dread of bidding them farewell?"
At this moment his sister entered the room, bringing to him a
letter from a rich old Texan bachelor, who was spending the summer
with some friends in the vicinity of her home. It was directed to
the "Guardians of Dora Deane," and asked permission to address
her! He had seen her occasionally at Mrs.
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