I was sitting alone in the summer-house, over at the Fountain Grove, on the day after father went to New York, when I was frightened at seeing Mr.Lyon.He inquired anxiously if father were at home, and was much troubled when I told him he had gone to New York.

He said that he had written to him to transact certain business; and that after writing he had seen reason to change his views, and fearing that a letter might not reach him in time, had hurried back in order to have a personal interview, but arrived too late.

Father had already left for New York.

This being so, he started back for the South at once, after binding me to a brief secrecy.

He said that the fact of his return, if it became known to father, might be misunderstood by him, and the consequence of such a misapprehension would be serious injury to important interests.