that book. Her secrets belong to me--only to me. Hand over the
book, I say!"

"But I wish to read it, myself--who has a better right?"

The dark eyes of the slave flashed fire, and her hands quivered like the
wings of a bird when its prey is in sight. She clutched fiercely at the
book, hissing out her impatience like a serpent.

"Take it!" exclaimed Agnes fiercely, "but don't expect me to steal for
you again."

"Hist!" answered the woman, crushing the book under her arm; "here comes
one of the Harringtons on horseback. Clear that face and be ready to
meet him, while I go in and hide Mabel Harrington's soul!"

CHAPTER XVI.

JAMES HARRINGTON'S RIDE.

James Harrington left the breakfast-table with a restless desire to be
alone in the free air. He had not slept during the night, but spent the
silent hours in thought, which filled both his heart and brain with
excitement. The deep tenderness of his nature warred terribly against
its strong moral force, but only as the quick tempests of summer hurled
against a rock, beat down all the beautiful wild blossoms and moss upon
its surface, but leave it immovable as ever.

As he went forth from his room, Ralph passed him, looking restless and
anxious.

"Brother James! Brother James!" he said, "I wish to speak with you very
much, but not now. I have no heart to say anything just yet!"

James smiled, very gravely, but with a look of gentle patience, that
told how completely his strong passions were held in control. Few men in
his excited state would have proved so thoughtful of others; for he had
no idea that Ralph had any more important subject to consult him about,
than some shooting excursion in the hills, or a horse-back ride with
Lina.

"I am going out for an hour or two," he said; "I have been suffering
with headache all night. The air seems close to me in-doors. After I
come back, will that be time enough, Ralph?"

"I don't know. Yes, of course it will--there is no hurry," answered the
impetuous boy, "only I'm so vexed and troubled just now."

"Well, come up to my room. It does not matter much if I go or not--this
miserable headache will not probably be driven away."

"No, I can wait. You ought to ride out. How pale you are! Why, your face
is quite changed! Indeed, brother James, I will not speak another word
till you get back. I wonder what has come over us all this morning. Poor
mother ill--the General out of sorts--you with a headache, and I, yes, I