Crossing Broadway, great was my astonishment, and very small my satisfaction, to come suddenly upon Miss Statia Barton. She was looking undeniably pretty in her fur turban and cloth jacket, but she had no charms for me at that moment and I was sorry to lose the few seconds necessary to be courteous to her. "Have you deserted us entirely?" she asked, with a constrained smile. "Tom said this morning he hadn't seen you for nearly a week." "My time is much occupied," I answered. "You know it is but a few days now before I sail." Had I been less full of another subject I should certainly have noticed that the coldness of my manner hurt her, and I hope I am not brute enough to do that intentionally. But, I did not think of such a thing then, nor till a long, long time after. "Have you arranged the--the other matter?" she asked, with short breath. "Excuse me. We can gain nothing by talking on that subject," said I. "Then your charmer has decided not to go with you?" she said, interrogatively, but with a hard little laugh. "I thought it would come to that." I was foolish enough to take out Miss May's letter and hold it up. "On the contrary, since you insist on knowing," I answered, "here is the final decision, and it is in favor of the plaintiff." Her eyes opened as the conviction that I was telling the truth forced itself upon her. She was evidently not pleased. "Mr. Camran," she said, in tones as clear and cutting as ice, "I asked you a moment ago why you had not been to my home. I now say you need never call there again, as far as I am concerned, and I shall endeavor to have my brother write you to the same effect." "Don't put Tom to so much trouble," I replied, stung by her manner. "I have business too important and too pleasant to allow much time for mere duty calls." Lifting my hat, an action that she did not see, as her eyes were bent on the sidewalk, I resumed my stroll. I should have been more annoyed at the occurrence if another subject had not so fully filled my head. The clocks struck two before I reached the number I sought, and I walked more rapidly. "Miss May said you were to come to her room at once," said the colored servant, when she recognized my features. Needing no second invitation I mounted the stairs. Her door stood slightly open and as I entered, without knocking, she rose from a low rocker and came toward me. I could not have resisted had I been liable to execution for the offense; I met her in the middle of the apartment and held out both my hands. In the most unaffected and delightful manner she extended her own and I clasped them. "It is settled, then?" I cried. "You are going!" "Take a seat," she said, releasing herself composedly. "There are still a few things that I must talk over with you." The blood rushed back upon my heart, leaving my face pale. I was very glad to get the support of the arm-chair to which she motioned me.