In less than a fortnight, at all events, he ought to be in New York.

The thought gave him infinite relief; for, since he had finished his business in Petersburg, the reaction which in strong natures is very sure to follow a great effort, for the very reason that strong natures tax their powers to the utmost, recklessly, began to make itself felt.

It seemed to him, as he looked back, that he had heard so little from her.

Not that he complained; for he was fully sensible of her goodness in writing at all, and he treasured her letters as things sacred, even to the envelopes, and whatsoever had touched her hand.

But he felt keenly that he was in total ignorance of her doings; and one or two references to Barker troubled him.