It taught a new feeling of distrust for his uncle, whose harsh manner and ungenerous insinuations in the progress of the preceding half-hour, had lost him not a little of the youth's esteem.

He felt that the motive of his informer was not less unkind than was the information painful and oppressive; and his mind, now more than ever excited and active from this thought, went on discussing, from point to point, all existing relations, until a stern resolve to leave, that very night, the dwelling of one whose hospitality had been made a matter of special reference, was the only and settled conclusion to which his pride could possibly come.
The servant reminded him of the supper-hour, but the summons was utterly disregarded.

The colonel himself condescended to notify the stubborn youth of the same important fact, but with almost as little effect.
Without opening his door, he signified his indisposition to join in the usual repast, and thus closed the conference.
"I meet him at the table no more--not at his table, at least," was the muttered speech of Ralph, as he heard the receding footsteps of his uncle.
He had determined, though without any distinct object in view, upon leaving the house and returning to Tennessee, where he had hitherto resided.

His excited spirits would suffer no delay, and that very night was the period chosen for his departure.

Few preparations were necessary.