His father had
kept it displayed upon the drawing-room wall, over the table on which
the family Bible had rested.
Mrs. Treadwell was silent for a moment.
"Times have changed since then, Henry. We have lost a great deal,
although we still have enough--yes, we have plenty to live upon, and
to hold up our heads among the best."
Miss Laura and Graciella, behind the colonel's back, exchanged meaning
glances. How well they knew how little they had to live upon!
"That is quite evident," said the colonel, glancing through the window
at the tasteful interior, "and I am glad to see that you have fared so
well. My father lost everything."
"We were more fortunate," said Mrs. Treadwell. "We were obliged to let
Belleview go when Major Treadwell died--there were debts to be paid,
and we were robbed as well--but we have several rentable properties in
town, and an estate in the country which brings us in an income. But
things are not quite what they used to be!"
Mrs. Treadwell sighed, and nodded. Miss Laura sat in silence--a
pensive silence. She, too, remembered the time gone by, but unlike her
mother's life, her own had only begun as the good times were ending.
Her mother, in her youth, had seen something of the world. The
daughter of a wealthy planter, she had spent her summers at Saratoga,
had visited New York and Philadelphia and New Orleans, and had taken a
voyage to Europe. Graciella was young and beautiful. Her prince might
come, might be here even now, if this grand gentleman should chance to
throw the handkerchief.
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