ad down here: I have thought of something that will do you
good." She waved Phillis away almost impatiently, and laid the poor
sufferer's head on her bosom, shielding it from the flashes that
darted through the room. Phillis could see her bending over her, and
her voice was as tender as though she were soothing a sick infant.

Phillis was trembling with agitation as she stole down the dark
corridor. Never in her happy young life had she witnessed or imagined
such a scene. The wild words, the half-maddened gestures, the look of
agony stamped on the pale, almost distorted features, would haunt her
for many a day. Oh, how the poor soul must have suffered before she
lost self-control and balance like this!

It was not the death of her children that had so utterly unnerved her.
It must have been that bitter parting with her husband, and the
remembrance of angry words never to be atoned for in this life, that
was cankering the root of her peace, and that brought about these
moods of despair.

Phillis thought of Coleridge's lines,--

"And to be wroth with one we love
Doth work like madness on the brain,"--

as she took refuge in the dim drawing-room. Here, at least, there were
signs of human life and occupation. A little tea-table had been set in
one window, though the tea was cold. The greyhounds came and laid
their slender noses on her gown, and one small Italian one coiled
himself up on her lap. Miss Mewlstone's work-basket stood open, and a
tortoise shell kitten had helped itself to a ball of wool and was
busily unwinding it. The dogs were evidently frightened at the storm,
for they all gathered round Phillis, shivering and whining, as though
missing their mistress; and she had much ado to comfort them, though
she loved animals and understood their dumb language better than most
people.

It was not so very long, and yet it seemed hours before Miss Mewlstone
came down to her.

"Are you here, my dear?" she asked, in a loud whisper, for the room
was dark. "Ah, just so. We must have lights, and I must give you a
glass of wine or a nice hot cup of coffee." And, notwithstanding
Phillis's protest that she never took wine and was not in need of
anything, Miss Mewlstone rang the bell, and desired the footman to
bring in the lamp. "And tell Bishop to send up some nice hot coffee
and sandwiches as soon as possible. For young people never know what
they want, and you are just worried and tired to