CHAPTER LXXV.
REMINISCENCE.
On the very evening that General Belch and Abel Newt were sitting together, smoking, taking snuff, sipping wine, and discussing the great principles that should control the action of American legislators and statesmen, Hope Wayne and Mrs.Simcoe sat together in their pleasant drawing-room talking of old times.

The fire crackled upon the hearth, and the bright flames flickering through the room brought out every object with fitful distinctness.

The lamp was turned almost out--for they found it more agreeable to sit in a twilight as they spoke of the days which seemed to both of them to be full of subdued and melancholy light.

They sat side by side; Hope leaning her cheek upon her hand, and gazing thoughtfully into the fire; Mrs.Simcoe turned partly toward her, and occasionally studying her face, as if peculiarly anxious to observe its expression.
It might have happened in many ways that they were speaking of the old times.

The older woman may have intentionally led the conversation in that direction for some ulterior purpose she had in view.