t a hat to trim, but the work did not
proceed. It was a black felt hat, I remember, and I trimmed it for
her. She herself was in one of her childlike moods, winsome and gay
atop of the sorrow that had made her pale cheek paler, and set blue
rings about her dear eyes.

I was alone all the afternoon, and copied out for the last time a
letter to my husband, on which I had lately expended many hours. I
felt strong and sure of myself; it was not cowardice that led me to
write to him instead of saying to his face all that I had to say.
But there was no telling in what mood I should find him, were I to
speak. He might refuse to listen; he might move me to momentary
indecision by manner, look, or words; I preferred to write it all
down clearly, to make sure that what I had to say would not run the
risk of being left unsaid through the interposition of unforeseen
and incalculable emotions.

At the approach of supper-time, I dressed and went into the
drawing-room. We were expecting Constance and Mrs. Rayner, the
vicar, and Uncle George. My old dears and I had half an hour to
ourselves before any of them came. Gabriel was very late; our last
guest had already arrived when I heard him come in and rush up to
our room.

When he came down, he was pale in the extreme, and his eyes danced
in his head. I went up to him and drew him aside, towards the
window.

"Well?" said I, softly, "what's the matter with him?"

He flushed and took my hands, pressing them nervously.

"Finished!" he whispered. "I have done, Emilia,--the last line is
written."

I looked up at him with gladness in my face.

"You must read it me this evening," said I.

There came a flash of light before my inward eye,--the joy of his
achievement,--then it fell in broken showers, all fell. I had a
sense as of sinking into space, and all was dark within me.

"Go and give your arm to Aunt Caroline," said I, pressing his hand
as I let it go.

I myself went into supper with the vicar. We did not sit long at
table. Uncle George, Mrs. Rayner, and Mr. Dobb sat down immediately
after to a rubber of whist with Aunt Caroline; grandmamma fell
asleep. I turned the lamp-shade towards her face, and my pretty
Constance covered her well with a shawl; then, taking my dear one by
the waist, I walked with her to where Gabriel stood at the chimney.

"I have had an inspiration," said I. "Come, we will slip away to
Fairview and spend the evening alone, we three; then Gabriel can