pt?"

"No, dear Helen, he might awake and miss me; and he has requested me
not to leave him until death releases his soul. Do you attend to the
affairs of the house--I will watch here."

"There's something going on," thought Helen. "She's a deep one, with
all her quiet piety; but she shall never stand between me and my aims.
I have read one will--I shall not sleep until I read the other." Then,
turning to May, she spoke aloud. "It will suit me better to be down
stairs; I am so very nervous, that I am a poor nurse;" and glad to be
released from a scene too uncongenial to her nature and feelings, she
hastily withdrew.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SECRET SIN.

"This is shocking news, Walter!" said Mrs. Jerrold to her son, when he
imparted to her the news of Mr. Stillinghast's illness. "Do you
know--has he--did he send--"

"I don't know, indeed," said the young man, abstractly.

"I mean, has he altered his will?" said the lady, speaking out.

"I do not know; Helen tells me that a lawyer has been with him, and a
priest."

"A priest!" shrieked the lady. "Order the carriage instantly, Walter;
I must see Helen."

"I have not seen her since the morning," said the young man, after
having delivered the order, and returned to the sofa. "She looks
harassed and ill, poor girl."

"I am sorry we have been so precipitate in this affair, Walter," said
Mrs. Jerrold, fuming. "After all, this eccentric old person may change
his mind, and it will be so awkward to break off the match, for you
cannot afford to marry a poor woman."

"I do not apprehend any thing of the kind, mother. Helen's beauty and
accomplishments are dower enough," he replied, calmly.

"Walter, I will never consent to this marriage if Helen is
portionless," exclaimed the lady.

"My dear mother, you sometimes forget, do you not, that I have reached
the mature age of thirty-one? Really, where my happiness is concerned,
I shall submit to no control," he said, calmly.

"Happiness!" repeated the lady, scornfully.

"The carriage is at the door, madam," said a servant, at the door.

"Very well. Tell Rachael to bring down my bonnet and wrappings."

Soon accoutred for her drive, Mrs. Jerrold took her son's arm, and went
down to her carriage. He handed her in, and stepped in after her.

"Why do you go, Walter?" she asked, looking annoyed.

"I wish to inquire after Mr. Stillinghast's health," he said, quietly.

A few minutes' drive brought them to Mr