And the hint had such a good effect, that after a while, it was reported all over the plantation that Bacchus “had give up drinkin, for good and all.”

CHAPTER XVIII.

It was in answer to Arthur’s letter, expressing great anxiety to hear from home, in consequence of so long a time having passed without his receiving his usual letters, that Mr. Weston wrote him of Alice’s illness.  She was then convalescing, but in so feeble and nervous a condition, that Dr. Lawton advised Arthur’s remaining where he was—­wishing his patient to be kept even from the excitement of seeing so dear a relative.  Mr. Weston insisted upon Arthur’s being contented with hearing constantly of her improvement, both from himself and Mrs. Weston.  This, Arthur consented to do; but in truth he was not aware of the extent of the danger which had threatened Alice’s life, and supposed it to have been an ordinary fever.  With what pleasure did he look forward, in his leisure moments, to the time when it would be his privilege always to be near her; and to induce the tedious interval to pass more rapidly, he employed himself with his studies, as constantly as the season would allow.  He had formed a sincere attachment to Abel Johnson, whose fine talents and many high qualities made him a delightful companion.  Mr. Hubbard was a connection of young Johnson’s, and felt privileged often to intrude himself upon them.  It really was an intrusion, for he had at present a severe attack of the Abolition fever, and he could not talk upon any other subject.  This was often very disagreeable to Arthur and his friend, but still it became a frequent subject of their discussion, when Mr. Hubbard was present, and when they were alone.

In the mean time, the warm season was passing away, and Alice did not recover her strength as her friends wished.  No place in the country could have been more delightful than Exeter was at that season; but still it seemed necessary to have a change of scene.  September had come, and it was too late to make their arrangements to go to the North, and Alice added to this a great objection to so doing.  A distant relation of Mr. Weston, a very young girl, named Ellen Graham, had been sent for, in hopes that her lively society would have a good effect on Alice’s unequal spirits; and after much deliberation it was determined that the family, with the exception of Miss Janet, should pass the winter in Washington.  Miss Janet could not be induced to go to that Vanity Fair, as she called it; and if proper arrangements for her comfort could not be made, the project would have to be given up.  After many proposals, each one having an unanswerable difficulty, the old lady returned from town one day, with a very satisfied countenance, having persuaded Mrs. Williams, a widow, and her daughter, to pass the winter at Exeter with her.  Mrs. Williams was a much valued friend of the Weston family, and