t be
when all circumstances were taken into consideration? To say that his
deep interest in her cousin caused her no pain would be false, for it
did, and naturally; but that pain she concealed. In her thoughtful
moments, when reviewing the scenes at the Castle, and considering the
loss of the jewels in connection with her husband's troubles, his words
to Sir Murray Gernon, and sufferance even of his cruel blow, she knew
that either her husband was a thief, liar, and consummate villain, or
else a man of true nobility and the most refined honour. Was it likely
that she should pause for a moment in the verdict, as, clinging daily
more fondly to him, she tried, by her endearments, to soothe the
perturbation of his spirit. He loved her she was sure, and she would
not be mad enough to indulge in reproof or upbraiding.

Satisfied in her own mind that her cousin was out of danger, she would
visit her no more. It would be wrong, she felt, until the clouds of
suspicion that floated around were driven away. For she thought, with
hot and burning cheeks, of those suspicions until she angrily drove them
from her as unworthy of her notice. If her husband would but take her
more fully into his confidence--talk with her freely, ask her counsel,
and keep nothing back, she felt that she would be happy; but she thought
that it would be an insult to him to broach such matters, and day after
day she waited for the confidence that came not. He said nothing
respecting his financial troubles, in spite of her eager desire to know
his losses; but, to her great grief, he became day after day more sombre
and thoughtful, going out but little, save to make one of his long,
strange journeys, at a time, too, when her anxiety was at its greatest
height.

All would yet be well, though, she told herself, and still crushing down
thoughts inimical to her peace, she met him ever with the same smile,
but never to evoke a smile in return, save when their child came
gambolling forward, when, with swelling heart, she would offer,
mentally, a thanksgiving for that gift, and revel in the sunshine of his
brighter looks, until once more the clouds would seem to settle over his
soul.

To her he was always gentle, kind, and subdued; and, to a stranger he
would have seemed a model husband; but Ada Norton was not content: there
was a change--a marked change--in him, and more than once, in the
bitterness of her heart, she had wished that the Castle had still