Postscript! Fort Sumter! It is now certain that the Government has decided to reinforce Major Andersen's command at all hazards----" The lines in the _Evening Post_ blurred under his eyes; he passed one broad, bony hand across them, straightened his shoulders, and, setting the unlighted cigar firmly between his teeth, composed himself to read.

But after a few minutes he had read enough.

He dropped deeper into his arm-chair, groping for the miniature of Berkley's mother.
As for Berkley, he was at last alone with his letters and his keepsakes, in the lodgings which he inhabited--and now would inhabit no more.

The letters lay still unopened before him on his writing table; he stood looking at the miniatures and photographs, all portraits of his mother, from girlhood onward.
One by one he took them up, examined them--touched them to his lips, laid each away.

The letters he also laid away unopened; he could not bear to read them now.
The French clock in his bedroom struck eight.