."

"Which I always hated."

"And which I delighted in! Whatever taxes one's strength to its
limits, and exacts all one's courage besides, is the most glorious of
excitements. There's a splash; that was hail, George."

He muttered something that was lost in the noise of the storm; and
though from time to time she tried to provoke him to speak, now by
some lively taunt, now by some jesting remark on his sullen humor, he
maintained his silence till he reached the terrace, when he said,--

"Here we are, and I declare, Julia, I 'd rather go back than go
forward."

"You sha' n't have the choice," said she, laughing, as she rang the
bell. "How is your master, William?" asked she, as the servant admitted
them.

"No better, miss; the Dublin doctor's upstairs now in consultation, and
I believe there's another to be sent for."

"Mind that you don't say I 'm here. I 'm going to Mrs. Eady's room to
dry my cloak, and I don't wish the young ladies to be disturbed," said
she, passing hastily on to the housekeeper's room, while L'Estrange
made his way to the drawing-room. The only person here, however, was Mr.
Harding, who, with his hands behind his back and his head bowed forward,
was slowly pacing the room in melancholy fashion.

"Brain fever, sir," muttered he, in reply to the curate's inquiry.
"Brain fever, and of a severe kind. Too much application to
business--did not give up in time, they say."

"But he looked so well; seemed always so hearty and so cheerful."

"Very true, sir, very true; but as you told us on Sunday, in that
impressive discourse of yours, we are only whited sepulchres."

L'Estrange blushed. It was so rare an event for him to be complimented
on his talents as a preacher that he half mistrusted the eulogy.

"And what else, indeed, are we?" sighed the little man.

"Here's our dear friend, with all that the world calls prosperity; he
has fortune, station, and fine family, and--"

The enumeration of the gifts that made up this lucky man's measure of
prosperity was here interrupted by the entrance of Ellen Bramleigh, who
came in abruptly and eagerly.

"Where's Julia?" cried she; "my maid told me she was here."

L'Estrange answered in a low tone. Ellen, in a subdued voice, said,--

"I'll take her up to my room. I have much to say to her. Will you let
her remain here to-night?--you can't refuse. It is impossible she could
go back in such weather." And without waiting for his reply, she hurried
away