Go to bed. I
shall not need anything till my Shenac comes."

Shenac Dhu went out and opened the door of her sister's room. Little
Flora was sleeping sweetly, but there was no Shenac. Very softly she
went here and there, looking and listening in vain. The late moon, just
rising, cast long shadows on the dewy grass as she opened the door and
looked out. The pleasant sounds of a summer night fell on her ear, but
no human voice mingled with the music. All at once there came into her
mind the remembrance of the brother and sister as they sat in the
afternoon at the old house-end, and, hardly knowing why, she went
through the yard and down the garden-path. All was still without, but
from within the house there surely came a sound.

Yes; it was the sound of weeping--not loud and bitter, but as when a
"weaned child" has quieted itself, and sobs and sighs through its
slumbers.

"Alone with God and her sorrow!"

Shenac Dhu dared not enter; nor shall we. When a stricken soul lies in
the dust before God, no eye should gaze, no lip tell the story. Who
would dare to speak of the mystery of suffering and blessing through
which a soul passes when God first smites, then heals? What written
words could reveal his secret of peace spoken to such a one?

That night all the grief of Shenac's sore heart was spread out before
the Lord. All the rebellion of the will that clung still to an earthly
idol rose up against him; and in his loving-kindness and in the
multitude of his tender mercies he had compassion upon her. That night
she "did eat angels' food," on the strength of which she went for many a
day.

Shenac Dhu still listened and waited, meaning to steal away unseen; but
when the door opened, and the moonlight fell on her sister's
tear-stained face, so pale and calm, now that the struggle was over, she
forgot all else, and clung to her, weeping. Shenac did not weep; but,
weary and spent with the long struggle, she trembled like a leaf, and,
guiding each other through the dim light, they went home.

Shenac Dhu was herself again when she crossed the threshold, and when
her cousin would have turned towards the door of her brother's room, she
gently but firmly drew her past it.

"No; it is Allister's turn and mine to-night," she said; and Shenac had
no strength to resist, but suffered herself to be laid down by little
Flora's side without a word.

She rose next morning refreshed; and after this all was changed. She