By the other members of the family, Alexander’s name was never mentioned. General Lyon had given no orders to this effect, but the subject was tacitly dropped by all as one unspeakably painful and humiliating. General Lyon, who loved the delicate, dove-eyed little woman with a fatherly fondness, would not let her confine herself to her own apartments a day longer than was necessary. He first of all wiled her down to the afternoon tea, and then after a few days coaxed her down to dinner; and on the Sunday following sent for her to join the family circle at breakfast. The “family circle” at this time comprised only General Lyon, Anna, Dick, and Drusilla. Dick had remained at Old Lyon Hall ever since Alexander’s exodus, with the exception of one day when he rode over to Hammondville, where he had left the parson and the lawyer to tell them that their services would not be required, and to remunerate and dismiss them. Since that day Dick had made a clean breast of it to his uncle and had won a conditional consent to his marriage with Anna; the engagement being encumbered with a probation of one year. “I shall be an old maid yet if I live long enough,” said Anna, laughing when she heard from Dick of this decision. “My marriage day has been fixed and my marriage interrupted three times! and at every interruption it has been deferred for one year, only to be interrupted again at the end of it.” “I don’t complain of all other interruptions, but Anna, let us make sure of a marriage this time by going off by ourselves and getting it done,” said Anna’s lover. “For shame, Dick,” was all the answer she vouchsafed him. “We are of age,” urged her suitor. “So much the worse, sir, for we should know better,” said Anna. And Dick ceased to push the question. It drew near the Christmas holidays, and the weather was very fine for the season. General Lyon invited and pressed his adopted niece to take drives in the picturesque vicinity of the hall. But Drusilla answered that she wished her first going out should be to the house of God, in acknowledgment of His great mercy in preserving her and her child amid so many dangers, and raising up to them such dear friends. And the conscientious old soldier could urge the matter no farther. One Friday morning Anna and Drusilla were seated together as usual—the baby sleeping in the cradle between them—when Anna said: “Drusilla, my dear, you are going to church next Sunday?” “Yes, I am; Providence permitting, Anna.” “Do you know it will be Christening Sunday?” “No, I didn’t, Anna.” “Well, it will be. Now wouldn’t you like to have your boy christened?” “Oh, yes; indeed I should, bless him!” “And I will be his godmother, and grandpa and Dick shall be his godfathers. You know, being a boy, he will require two godfathers and one godmother. If he were a girl, the matter would be reversed. Now what do you say, my dear?”