the same train, and Margaret never found it out until she saw Crystal
leave the carriage, and then there was no time to follow her. Margaret
shed tears of disappointment, and blamed herself for her own
blindness; but Raby never reproached her.

He was growing heart-sick and weary by this time. They had spent six
weeks in this search, and were as far from success as ever--no wonder
Raby's face looked grave and overcast as he sat alone in the piazza.
Even Margaret's protracted absence raised no sanguine expectation in
his mind; on the contrary, as his practiced ear recognized her
footstep, he breathed a short prayer for patience.

"Dear Raby," she said, softly, as she took a seat beside him and
unfastened the clasps of her long cloak; "I have been away a longer
time than usual; have you been wanting me?"

"Oh, no," with a faint smile; "Fergusson took care of me at dinner,
and I had a pleasant American widow on the other side, who amused me
very much--she told me some capital stories about the Canadian
settlers; so, on the whole, I did very well. I begin to like Fergusson
immensely; he is a little broad, but still very sensible in his views.
He comes from Cumberland, he tells me, and has rather a large cure of
souls."

"Yes, dear"--but Margaret spoke absently--"but you do not ask me what
I have been doing, Raby."

"No"--very slowly; and then, with a touch of sadness: "I begin to
think it is better not to ask."

"Poor fellow"--laying her hand on his arm caressingly. "Yes, I
understand you are beginning to lose hope. What did I tell you last
night--that it is always the darkest the hour before dawn. Do you
remember how fond Crystal was of that song? Well, it is true, Raby; I
have been stopping away for some purpose this afternoon. Crystal and
Miss Campion are here."

"Here!" and at Raby's exclamation more than one head turned in the
direction of the brother and sister.

"Yes, in W----. Do not speak so loud, Raby; you are making people look
at us. Take my arm, and we will go into the shrubberies; no one will
disturb us there." And as she guided him down the steps, and then
crossed a secluded lawn, Raby did not speak again until the scent of
the flowering shrubs told him they had entered one of the quiet paths
leading away from the house.

"Now, tell me, Maggie," he said, quickly; and Margaret obeyed at once.

"I was at the station, as we planned, and saw them arrive; so for once
the information was correct. Cry