CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
"He who loves not his country can love nothing." -- BYRON.
"There were sad hearts in a darken'd home, When the brave had left their bower; But the strength of prayer and sacrifice Was with them in that hour." -- MRS.

HEMANS.
The sea voyage had done much for the health of both ladies, and the soft Italian air carried on the cure.

Mr.Dinsmore, too, had recovered his usual strength, for the first time since his attack of fever.
There was no lack of good society at their command; good both socially and intellectually.

American, English, Italian, French, etc.; many former friends and acquaintances and others desiring to be introduced by these; but none of our party felt disposed at that time to mix much with the outside world.
Elsie's deep mourning was for her sufficient excuse for declining all invitations; while Rose could plead her still precarious state of health.
She wore no outward badge of mourning for Mrs.Travilla, but felt deep and sincere grief at her loss; for the two had been intimate and dear friends for many years, the wide disparity in age making their intercourse and affection much like that of mother and daughter.
The condition of political affairs in their own country was another thing that caused our friends to feel more exclusive and somewhat reluctant to mingle with those of other nationalities.

Every mail brought them letters and papers from both North and South, and from their distant standpoint they watched with deep interest and anxiety the course of events fraught with such momentous consequences to their native land.
Neither Mr.Dinsmore nor Mr.Travilla had ever been a politician; but both they and their wives were dear lovers of their country, by which they meant the whole Union.