expected it, when I was most hopeless and forlorn, a hand
would be placed on my head in the old caressing manner, and a low
'forgiven, darling,' would bring me back to sunshine and happiness;
but, oh, how he suffered. I never knew until afterward that his
punishment was even greater than mine.

"I am speaking now of my younger days, but presently there came a time
when they treated it less as a fault than a malady; when Raby dreaded
the repentance more than the paroxysm, for so poignant was my anguish
of remorse that it threatened to prey on my health.

"Then, when they saw how I wept and strove against it, and how the
torment of my own undisciplined nature was more than I could bear,
then they grew to look upon me as one upon whom some deadly scourge
was laid--some moral sickness that they could not understand indeed,
but which, out of their great love, they could afford to pity.

"Years rolled on. Raby had passed through his university life with
honors; had gained a fellowship, and had taken orders, and accepted a
curacy some distance from Sandycliffe.

"It was only a temporary position until the church at Sandycliffe had
been restored and was ready for use; the living had been already
promised to him, and small as it was, he wished to hold it, at least
for the present. Raby was a man singularly devoid of ambition, and
though he must have been conscious that his were no common gifts, he
always told us that he did not wish a wider sphere until he had tested
his powers, and had worked a little in the home vineyard.

"At this time he was much occupied with his studies, and some
doctrinal treatise on which he was engaged; and as only Sunday duty
was required of him, he was able to be with us from Monday to
Saturday, a great boon to us, as Uncle Rolf's health was failing, and
his son's constant presence was a great comfort to him. He died when I
was about fifteen, and then Raby became master of the Grange.

"The next two years that followed were, in spite of my dear uncle's
loss, very happy ones.

"The fits of passion became more rare and decreased in violence, and
for a time ceased altogether. It seemed to be coming true what Raby
had once prophesied, that I should outgrow them when I became a woman.

"That was our chief joy; but later on, after a year or so, Hugh
Redmond came more frequently to the Grange, and by and by Margaret and
he were engaged. Raby gave his consent rather reluctantly, he always
told me he