"The short of the matter is this, pappy. She appears to have overheard some conversation--evidently intended to be of a private nature--that passed between you and mamma last night. How she understood it does not appear, for, of course, you did n't talk French." "Let that pass. Proceed." "Whatever it was that she gathered, or fancied she gathered, one thing is certain: she immediately summoned her maid, and gave orders to pack up; post-horses were also ordered, but all with the greatest secrecy. Meanwhile she indited a short note to Mary Anne, in which, after apologizing for a very unceremonious departure, she refers her to you and to mamma for the explanation, with a half-sarcastic remark 'that family confidences had much better be conducted in a measured tone of voice, and confined to the vernacular of the speakers.' With a very formal adieu to James, whom she styles 'votre estimable frère,' the letter concludes with an assurance of deep and sincere consideration on the part of Josephine de St. A." "What does all this mean?" exclaimed I, with a terrible misgiving, Tom, that I knew only too well how the mischief originated. "That is exactly what I want you to explain, pappy," said she, "for the letter distinctly refers to something within your knowledge." "I must see the document itself," said I, cautiously; "fetch me the letter." "James carried it off with him." "Off with him,--why, is he gone too?" "Yes, pappy, he started with post-horses after her,--at least, so far as he could make out the road she travelled. Poor fellow! he seemed almost out of his mind when he left this." "And your mother, how is she?" Cary shook her head mournfully. Ah, Tom, I needed but the gesture to show me what was in store for me. My fertile imagination daguerreotyped a great family picture, in which I was shortly to fill a most lamentable part. My prophetic soul--as a novelist would call it--depicted me once more in the dock, arraigned for the ruin of my children, the wreck of their prospects, and the downfall of the Dodds. I fancied that even Cary would turn against me, and almost thought I could hear her muttering, "Ah, it was papa did it all!"