seeing me, did
not remain. I began to realize it was no easy matter to make his
acquaintance. To atone for my disappointment, I called 011 Mary
Leavenworth in the evening. She received me with almost a sister-like
familiarity.

"Ah," she cried, after introducing me to an elderly lady at her
side,--some connection of the family, I believe, who had come to remain
with her for a while,--"you are here to tell me Hannah is found; is it
not so?"

I shook my head, sorry to disappoint her. "No," said I; "not yet."

"But Mr. Gryce was here to-day, and he told me he hoped she would be
heard from within twenty-four hours."

"Mr. Gryce here!"

"Yes; came to report how matters were progressing,--not that they seemed
to have advanced very far."

"You could hardly have expected that yet. You must not be so easily
discouraged."

"But I cannot help it; every day, every hour that passes in this
uncertainty, is like a mountain weight here"; and she laid one trembling
hand upon her bosom. "I would have the whole world at work. I would
leave no stone unturned; I----"

"What would you do?"

"Oh, I don't know," she cried, her whole manner suddenly changing;
"nothing, perhaps." Then, before I could reply to this: "Have you seen
Eleanore to-day?"

I answered in the negative.

She did not seem satisfied, but waited till her friend left the room
before saying more. Then, with an earnest look, inquired if I knew
whether Eleanore was well.

"I fear she is not," I returned.

"It is a great trial to me, Eleanore being away. Not," she resumed,
noting, perhaps, my incredulous look, "that I would have you think I
wish to disclaim my share in bringing about the present unhappy state
of things. I am willing to acknowledge I was the first to propose a
separation. But it is none the easier to bear on that account."

"It is not as hard for you as for her," said I.

"Not as hard? Why? because she is left comparatively poor, while I am
rich--is that what you would say? Ah," she went on, without waiting for
my answer, "would I could persuade Eleanore to share my riches with me!
Willingly would I bestow upon her the half I have received; but I fear
she could never be induced to accept so much as a dollar from me."

"Under the circumstances it would be better for her not to."

"Just what I thought; yet it would ease me of a great weight if she
would. This fortune, suddenly thrown into my lap, sits like an incubus
upon me, Mr. Raymond. When