"Oh, my dear, are you better of your headache?"
"You look pale, as if you had gone through a sharp siege, if a short one. You should have told me in the pew, and allowed me to take you here, not ventured out alone, when you were in such pain."
"But I did not wish to attract the least attention, so I slipped out unperceived while everybody's heads were bent in prayer."
"All very well, my dear; but pray don't venture on such a step again. I am always at your service to attend you. Now, Cora, ring for dinner to be served. It was ordered for five o'clock, I think, and it is five minutes past," said Mr. Rockharrt, consulting his watch.
Cora arose, but before she could reach the bell, the door was opened, and the waiter appeared to lay the cloth.
After dinner the Iron King went into a little room attached to the suite, which he used as a smoking den.
The two young women settled themselves to read.
They all retired at nine o'clock that night so as to rise very early next day.
It was a splendid May morning. Our travelers were out of bed at half-past four o'clock. The sun was just rising when they sat down to their early breakfast.
Mr. Rockharrt seemed stronger and brighter than he had been since his arrival in New York.
The Sabbath day's complete rest had certainly refreshed him.
Immediately after breakfast they left the hotel, entered the carriage which had been engaged for them and drove to the Hudson River depot.
"There's the dean!" exclaimed Mr. Rockharrt, as they entered the waiting room. "He must be going on the same train with us."
Rose Stillwater did not start or change color this time. She had prepared herself for contingencies by taking a dose of morphine just before she left the hotel. But she drew her veil closely over her face, murmuring that the brightness of the sun hurt her eyes.
Cora looked up and saw the tall, thin form of the church dignitary standing with a group of gentlemen near the gate leading to the train.
The waiting room was crowded; a multitude was moving toward West Point.
"It is well I engaged our rooms a week ago, or we might not have found accommodations," said Mr. Rockharrt, as he pressed with his party behind the crowd.
Among the group of gentlemen surrounding the dean, was a Wall Street broker with whom old Aaron Rockharrt had been doing business for the last few days.