CHAPTER XII.
PERKINS FINDS IN LIZZY GLENN HIS LONG LOST EUGENIA.
AFTER Eugenia Ballantine, for she it really was, had removed to the humble abode of Mrs.Gaston, her mind was comparatively more at ease than it yet had been.

In the tenderly manifested affection of one who had been a mother to her in former, happier years, she found something upon which to lean her bruised and wearied spirits.

Thus far, she had been compelled to bear up alone--now there was an ear open to her, and her overburdened heart found relief in sympathy.
There was a bosom upon which she could lean her aching head, and find a brief but blessed repose.

Toward the end of January, her father's symptoms changed rapidly, indicating one day more alarming features than ever, and the next presenting an encouraging aspect.
The consequence was, that the mind of Eugenia became greatly agitated.

Every day she repaired to the Asylum, with a heart trembling between hope and fear, to return sometimes with feelings of elation, and sometimes deeply depressed.
On the day after Dr.R--had promised to go to Lexington to look after Mrs.Gaston's little boy, the mother's anxious desire to see her child, from whom she had heard not a word for nearly three months, became so strong that she could with difficulty compose herself so far as to continue her regular employments.