Thorpe's health
had obliged him to seek perfect retirement and repose: and that there
were reasons at present for not mentioning the place of his retreat to
any one, which it was not deemed expedient for his son to become
acquainted with.
The day of departure arrived.
In the morning, by Valentine's advice, Zack wrote to his mother; only
telling her, in reference to his proposed trip, that he was about to
travel to improve and amuse himself, in the company of a friend, of
whom Mr. Blyth approved. While he was thus engaged, the painter had a
private interview with Matthew Grice, and very earnestly charged him to
remember his responsibilities towards his young companion. Mat answered
briefly and characteristically: "I told you I was as fond of him as if
he was a bit of my own flesh and blood. If you don't believe I shall
take care of him, after that--I can't say nothing to make you."
Both the travelers were taken up into Mrs. Blyth's room to say
Farewell. It was a sad parting. Zack's spirits had not been so good as
usual, since the day of his visit to the Agent's--and the other persons
assembled were all more or less affected in an unusual degree by the
approaching separation. Madonna had looked ill and anxious--though she
would not own to having anything the matter with her--for some days
past.
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