allow her longing eyes to turn toward the clock that beat out the
passing moments with mechanical precision. It was just a quarter to
nine.

The mother saw that glance, and hid her face for a moment; then she took
mademoiselle by the hand, and drawing her down to her, whispered
audibly:

"I expect you to keep your appointment. Mrs. Truax will send one of the
girls to sit with me. Besides, I feel better, and as if I could sleep.
Only remember your promise, dear. No look, no hint of your feelings."

Mademoiselle flushed scarlet. Stealing a look at me, she drew back
embarrassed, but oh! how joyous. I felt my old heart quiver as I
surveyed her, and in spite of the dread form of the redoubtable woman
stretched before me, in spite of the grewsome room and its more than
grewsome secrets, something of the fairy light of love seemed to fall
upon my spirit and lift the darkness from the place for one short and
glowing moment.

"Look in the glass," the mother now commanded. "You need to tie up your
curls again and to put a fresh flower at your throat. I do not wish you
to show weariness. Mrs. Truax"--these words to me in low tones, as her
daughter withdrew to the other side of the room--"you received my note?"

I nodded.

"You will do what I ask?"

I nodded again. Deliberate falsehood it was, but I showed no faltering.

"Then I will excuse you now."

I rose.

"And do not send any one to me. I wish to sleep, and another's presence
would disturb me. See, the pain is almost gone."

She did look better.

"Your wishes shall be regarded," I assured her. "If you do feel worse,
ring this bell and Margery will notify me." And placing the bell rope
near her hand, I drew back and presently quitted the room.

Lingering in the hall just long enough to see the lovely Honora flit
across the threshold of the sitting-room which I had purposely ordered
vacant for her use, I hurried to my room.

It was dark, dark as the secret chamber into which I now stole with the
lightest and wariest of steps. Horror, gloom, and apprehension were in
the air, which brooded stiflingly in the narrow spot, and had it not
been for the righteous purpose sustaining me, I should have fallen at
this critical moment, crushed beneath the terrible weight of my own
feelings.

But one who has to listen, straining every faculty to catch the purport
of what is going on behind an impenetrable wall, soon forgets himself
and his own sensations. As I pressed my e