The situation was most embarrassing, for in spite of his sorrow, sickness, and preoccupation, he could not help seeing that Jewel took more than a friendly interest in himself. It was this that decided him to go away at once, that he might give no encouragement to her fancy. He said to himself that his heart was dead, that he could never reciprocate her love, so he would go away, and she was so young and gay she would soon forget him. "If there is anything I can do for you at any time, Jewel, remember that I desire you to command my services," he said to her, when he broke to her, as gently as he could, the news that he was going away the next day. She had borne it more calmly than he had expected. The bright cheeks grew pale, and the lashes drooped to hide the sadness in the dark eyes, but she said, eagerly: "There is something you can do for me--now. I have a favor to ask of you." "You have only to name it," he replied, gallantly; and she began to tell him that she was tired of her life in this quiet seaport town of Virginia. She was rich, and she longed to live in the city and mix with its gayeties, that she might forget the sorrows she had borne here. "You live in Boston; you have a mother and sister," she said. "Would it be wrong for me to come to Boston to live? Would it be too much to ask your family to present me in society?" He was surprised and secretly annoyed. He saw her drift in a moment. She did not mean to lose sight of him. Her love was stronger than he had thought. He did not answer her for a moment, from sheer surprise, and she continued: "I have a most excellent lady for a companion, as you know. I should like to buy a handsome house in your city, and set up housekeeping with Mrs. Wellings as my chaperon and companion. There would be nothing imprudent in that, I suppose?" He was obliged to own that, as far as he knew, such a proceeding would be quite proper. "Then it is settled!" she cried, joyfully. "Now, will you be so kind, when you get home, as to see a real estate man and buy a handsome house for me? I shall like it all the better if it is near your home, for I know I shall be fond of your mother and sisters--that is, if they are all like you." He could not help coloring at the frankly spoken words, and he cried out, hastily: "But, my dear Miss Fielding, I fear I should not be able to please you in the selection of a house. It would be much better for your guardian to attend to that matter." "He is an old stupid; I would not trust him in the selection of such a house as I want," she replied, vivaciously; and, after thinking a moment, he said: "Then you should select it yourself. What would you say to coming to Boston this autumn as the guest of my mother?" "I should be charmed!" Jewel declared, graciously. "Then my mother shall send you an invitation, and then you can select a house yourself," he said, adding, with a slight smile: "I predict that you will be a belle when you enter society."