One day at the close of October she put down her needlework with a little impatience.  “I am tired of sewing, mother,” she said, “and I will walk down to the Battery and get a breath of the sea.  I shall not stay long.”

On her way to the Battery she was thinking of Hyde, and of their frequent walks together there; and for once she passed the house of Madame Jacobus without a glance at its long-closed windows.  It was growing dark as she returned, and ere she quite reached it she was aware of a glow of fire light and candle light from the windows.  She quickened her steps, and saw a servant well known to her standing at the open door directing two men who were carrying in trunks and packages.  She immediately accosted him.

“Has madame returned at last, Ameer?” she asked joyfully.

“Madame has returned home,” he answered.  “She is weary—­she is not alone—­she will not receive to-night.”

“Surely not.  I did not think of such a thing.  Tell her only that I am glad, and will call as soon as she can see me.”

The man’s manner—­usually so friendly—­was shy and peculiar, and Cornelia felt saddened and disappointed.  “And yet why?” she asked herself.  “Madame has but reached home—­I did not wish to intrude upon her—­Ameer need not have thought so—­however I am glad she is back again”—­and she walked rapidly home to the thoughts which this unexpected arrival induced.  They were hopeful thoughts, leaning—­however she directed them—­towards her absent lover.  She felt sure madame would see clearly to the very bottom of what she could not understand.  She went into her mother’s presence full of renewed expectations, and met her smile with one of unusual brightness.

“Madame Jacobus is at home,” said Mrs. Moran, before Cornelia could speak.  “She sent for your father just after you left the house, and I suppose that he is still there.”

“Is she sick?”

“I do not know.  I fear so, for the visit is a long one.”

It continued so much longer that the two ladies took their tea alone, nor could they talk of any other subject than madame, and her most unexpected call for Doctor Moran’s services.”  It was always the Dutch Doctor Gansvoort she had before,” said Mrs. Moran; “and she was ever ready to scoff at all others, as pretenders.—­I do wonder what keeps your father so long?”

It was near ten o’clock when Doctor Moran returned, and his face was sombre and thoughtful—­the face of a man who had been listening for hours to grave matters, and who had not been able to throw off their physical reflection.

“Have you had tea, John?” asked Mrs. Moran.

“No.  Give me a good strong cup, Ava.  I am tired with listening and feeling.”

She poured it out quickly, and after he had taken the refreshing drink, Cornelia asked—­

“Is madame very ill?”

“She is wonderfully well.  It is her husband.”

“Captain Jacobus?”