a desire to be away from the place.

But Ada Norton was wrong when, in despair, she gave herself up that
night to tears, for her husband was on his way back--at least, he had
determined upon sleeping that night at home. He had reached the town
rather late, low-spirited and disheartened at the state of his affairs,
and had walked towards the primitive inn, meaning to hire a dog-cart and
drive over, for months had elapsed since he had sold his own horses,
dismissed his groom, and made other reductions in his little
establishment. He hired no dog-cart, however, for the state of his
finances struck him; and, sturdily preparing himself for the task, he
set off to walk the ten miles between him and Merland Hall.

The lonely road seemed well fitted for contemplation, and the thoughts
which passed through his breast were many, but none so serious as those
which oppressed him when, tired with his long journey, he approached the
palings which skirted the park of Merland Castle, stopping at length, in
spite of himself, to look over at the nearest point to the house, and
gaze long and earnestly at the windows, when suddenly a wild, appealing
cry for help smote his ear.

For a moment he paused. Then the cry rang out again, apparently from
the direction of the lake--a cry that there was no mistaking, telling,
as it did, of a soul in mortal peril; and, heedless of consequence, of
the trespass he was committing, and of the relations existing between
Sir Murray and himself, he leaped over the palings, and ran in the
direction of the sounds.

Naturally his was too generous a spirit to refuse help in need, while
now his senses were disturbed by an undefined state of dread, for in
some way it seemed that this cry must be connected with Lady Gernon, and
once a fearful idea flashed across his mind.

What and if, in utter despair, she had--

He could not finish the thought, but shudderingly dashed on, in a
headlong career, till he reached the lake, when he could just make out
the splashing and panting in the water.

All was plain enough now: some one was drowning near to the bridge, but
more towards the side next the house, while he was in the park.

He would have dashed in upon the instant, but his good sense told him
that his plan should be to run along the brink to the bridge, which he
did with all the speed he could command, when, divesting himself of
coat, vest, and hat, he threw them on the railing, tearing his sleeve,
as h