ery shortly, I dare say," was Arthur's reply, as, in
compliance with the old man's request, he closed the curtains on the
scene without, and caused the magnificent gaseliers to emit a more
dazzling light,--"and in the meanwhile, if you have no objection, I
shall be happy to read to you."

The invalid signified his willingness, and Arthur, sitting down by him,
opened the richly-gilt Bible that lay on the marble stand near at hand,
but ere he could commence, there was the rattling of wheels up the
carriage-road. The vehicle stopped at the hall-door, and the bell was
loudly rung.

The old man listened for a moment, and then, turning to Arthur, said, "I
cannot see any person to-night. Will you be kind enough to inform the
servant, that Mrs. Denham is out, and that I feel too much indisposed to
receive any visitors,--though it is a singular hour for visitors, I must
confess."

Arthur, as he opened the drawing-room door, heard a strange confusion in
the hall below, and quickly closing it on the invalid, stepped out to
convey Mr. Denham's orders, and to ascertain the cause of this unusual
disturbance.

As he descended the staircase, he was met by the servant, whose honest
face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder, joy, and
satisfaction.

"Anything amiss?" inquired Arthur, observing the perturbation of the
man.

"Oh, no, Sir, but how glad I am that you are here, for I am afraid the
news will be too much for Master, and the young lady told me to break it
to him gently."

"What news, what young lady, what do you mean, John?" inquired Mr.
Bernard, in a tone of bewilderment. "I do not understand to what you
allude."

"Beg pardon, Sir, for not telling you before, but it has been so sudden,
it quite overpowered me, to think our dear young lady, whom we thought
long since buried in the sea"--

The man stopped abruptly, and turned his head, evidently too much
affected to go on.

"For pity's sake, speak, John, and put an end to this suspense; what
about her?"

"Oh, Sir, nothing, Sir; I mean nothing at all, to alarm you, Sir; she
has come back again, Sir; she was not drowned, after all, and she is now
waiting in the library. She would have come right up, but I told her how
ill Master had been, and then she stopped, for she was afraid the shock
might be too much for him."

Arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence.

"She is not drowned,--she has come back again,"--was all he could think
of; and with eag