"God bless you, Jenny!" he exclaimed with much feeling, catching
hold of her hand and kissing it. "We may never meet again. They
thought I meant you harm, and have driven me away. But, Heaven knows
how little of evil purpose was in my heart! Farewell! Sometimes,
when you are kneeling to say your nightly prayers, think of me, and
breathe my name in your petitions. I will need the prayers of the
innocent. Farewell!"
And under the impulse of the moment, Mark bent forward and pressed
his lips fervently upon her pure forehead; then, springing away,
left her bewildered and in tears.
Mark hurried on towards the nearest landing place on the river, some
three miles distant, which he reached just as a steamboat was
passing. Waving his handkerchief, as a signal, the boat rounded to,
and touching at the rude pier, took him on board. He arrived in New
York that evening, and on the next morning started for Washington to
see after his application for a midshipman's appointment in the
navy. It was on this occasion that the young man became aware of the
secret influence of his father against the application which had
been made. His mind, already feverishly excited, lost its balance
under this new disturbing cause.
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