ldren were wished out of the way, or when the much more
ardent desire was indulged that her house could be had for the residence
of Lady Carse and her maid. In spite of all the assurances given to
Lady Carse that her presence and friendship were an unmixed blessing,
the fact remained that the household were sadly crowded in the new
dwelling. There was talk, at times, of getting more rooms built: but
then there entered in a vague hope that the widow's house might be
obtained, which would be everything pleasant and convenient. At those
times she was thought of, but more and more as an obstruction--almost an
intruder. Now and then, when she startled them by some little act of
kindness, they remarked that she was a good creature, they believed,
though they considered that there was usually something dangerous about
people so very reserved and unsociable.

One day this reserved and unsociable person volunteered a visit to her
astonished neighbours. She walked in, in the afternoon, looking rather
paler than usual, and somewhat exhausted. Mr Ruthven was outside the
door, smoking his pipe after dinner. He came in with the widow, and
placed a stool for her. His wife was not in the room. Lady Carse was
lying on the settle, flushed and apparently drowsy. She opened her eyes
as Annie and the minister entered, and then half-closed them again,
without stirring.

"Yes, I have been walking," said the widow, in answer to Mr Ruthven's
observation. "But it is not that that has tired me. I have been only
as far as Macdonald's. But, sir, I must go further to-night, unless I
can interest you to do what must be done without loss of time."

The minister raised his eyebrows, and looked inquiringly. "I have
learned, sir, that from this house invitations have been sent to
smugglers to begin a trade with these islands, and that it is about to
begin; and that this has been done by corrupting my son. I see well
enough the object of this. I see that Lady Carse hopes to escape to the
main by a smuggling vessel coming to this coast. I can enter into this.
I do not wonder at any effort the poor lady makes--"

"You insufferable woman!" cried Lady Carse, starting up from her
half-sleep with a glowing face and a clenched hand. "Do you dare to
pity me?"

"I do, madam: and I ask of you in return--I implore you to pity me.
This is the bitterest day to me since that which made my boy fatherless.
I have this day discovered that my fatherl