es widening with pain.

"Have you been very unhappy, then, Grantley," she faltered.

"Unhappy! I did not say that; but hereafter our bliss must be more
perfect. We shall understand each other better."

"Shall we--shall we ever? Oh, Grantley, without love what perfect
understanding can exist?"

Her fine eyes were flooded with tears; every feature in her face
quivered with emotion.

A clock on the mantel-piece chimed out the hour of his departure. On the
instant Dolf knocked at the door.

Elizabeth started up, trembling like a wounded bird that struggles away
from a second shot.

"So soon! so soon!" she cried, wringing her hands. "I had so much to
ask; everything to say, and now there is no time."

Grantley took her in his arms, and kissed her very hurriedly, for the
servant was standing in sight.

"God bless you, Elizabeth, I must go!"

She flung her arms wildly around him. Her pale face was lifted to his in
mute appeal. Was it for pardon of some unknown offence, or the deep
craving of a true heart for love?

Grantley put her away, and went hurriedly into Elsie's room. He came out
pale and troubled. Elizabeth stood by the door gasping her breath; he
wrung the hand she held forth to stop him, and was gone. She heard his
steps as they went down the walnut-staircase, and they fell upon her
like distinct blows. The great hall-door closed with a sharp noise that
made her start, and with a burst of bitter, bitter anguish, cry out.
Then came the sound of carriage-wheels grinding through gravel, and the
beat of hoofs that seemed trampling down the heart in her bosom. As
these sounds died off, she attempted to reach the window and look out,
but only fell upon the couch which stood near it, and fainted without a
moan.

CHAPTER XV.

MRS. HARRINGTON'S FRIENDS.

A day or two after Mellen's departure, Elizabeth, who was taking her
solitary promenade on the veranda, was surprised by a visit from Mrs.
Harrington, who came fluttering across the lawn between two gentlemen,
with whom she seemed carrying on a right and left flirtation. She came
up the steps with her flounces all in commotion, her face wreathed with
insipid smiles, and her hair done up in a marvellous combination of
puffs, curls and braids under a tiny bonnet, that hovered over them like
a butterfly just ready to take wing.

"I knew that you would be moping yourself to death," she cried, floating
down upon Elizabeth with both hands extended; "so I