you talking about?" he cried. "One would think you had
something to conceal."

She steadied herself up in an instant.

"I am the weakest of the family," said she, walking straight up to me
and taking me affectionately by the arm. "All my life I have been
delicate and these turns are nothing new to me. Sometimes I think I will
die in one of them; but I am quite restored now," she hastily added, as
I could not help showing my concern. "See! I can walk quite alone." And
she ran, rather than walked, up the few short steps of the porch, at
which we had now arrived. "Don't tell Loreen," she begged, as I followed
her into the house. "She worries so about me, and it will do no good."

William had stalked off toward the stables. We were therefore alone. I
turned and laid a finger on her arm.

"My dear," said I, "I never make foolish promises, but I can be trusted
never to heedlessly slight any one's wishes. If I see no good reason why
I should tell your sister of this fainting fit, I shall certainly hold
my peace."

She seemed moved by my manner, if not by my words.

"Oh," she cried, seizing my hand and pressing it. "If I dared to tell
you of my troubles! But it is impossible, quite impossible." And before
I could urge a plea for her confidence she was gone, leaving me in the
company of Hannah, who at this moment was busying herself with something
at the other end of the hall.

I had no wish to interfere with Hannah just then. I had my letter to
read, and did not wish to be disturbed. So I slipped into the
sitting-room and carefully closed the door. Then I opened my letter.

It was, as I supposed, from Mr. Gryce, and ran thus:

"DEAR MISS BUTTERWORTH:

"I am astonished at your determination, but since your desire
to visit your friends is such as to lead you to brave the
dangers of Lost Man's Lane, allow me to suggest certain
precautions.

"First.--Do not trust anybody.

"Second.--Do not proceed anywhere alone or on foot.

"Third.--If danger comes to you, and you find yourself in a
condition of real peril, blow once shrilly on the whistle I
inclose with this. If, however, the danger is slight, or you
wish merely to call the attention of those who will be set to
watch over you, let the blast be short, sharp, and
repeated--twice to summon assistance, three times to call
attention.

"I advise you to fasten this whistle about your neck in a w