ich startled them both, making Mellen turn
hastily, and sending the sickly pallor anew across Elizabeth's face.

"Only the wind," he said, "blowing one of the shutters to with a crash."

"That is all, it----"

She did not finish; her eyes were fixed upon the window; she made one
movement; tried to control herself; looked in the other direction before
her husband could observe the eagerness with which her eyes had been
strained out into the night; but all her attempts at self-control were
in vain; she gave one heavy sigh, and sank lower and perfectly helpless
in his arms.

For the second time that evening Elizabeth Mellen had swooned completely
away.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE SUNSHINE OF THE HOUSE.

The day was so bright and beautiful that the preceding storm seemed only
to have added freshness to both the earth and sky.

The hills rose up majestic in their richest verdure, the lovely bay was
at rest in the sunshine, and the long white line of distant water shone
out tranquilly, as if no treacherous wind would ever again lash it into
fury.

Grantley Mellen stood with his wife on the broad stone portico, looking
towards the ocean. They had been wandering over the house and grounds
that the master might see what changes had taken place in his absence,
talking pleasantly and gaily, though even in the midst of his happiness
the old restless suspicion would intrude. Grantley Mellen could not
understand the strange agitation of his wife at his return. It troubled
him even in his newborn joy. She was quite herself this morning; so
lovely in her delicate mauve morning dress, with the soft lace relieving
her neck and wrists. Her dark hair was banded smoothly back from the
grave, earnest face, and fell behind in heavy braids, rich and glossy as
the plumage of a raven. Her mouth was tremulous with gladness and her
whole face kindled into smiles and blushes under her husband's gaze. She
was so calm that it seemed folly to vex his heart with vague fancies,
instead of yielding to the full, rich joy of the occasion.

But she was changed: his jealous eyes took note of that. She was paler,
thinner; there was a single line between the dark brows that had
gathered there during his absence; an added gravity about the mouth, a
slight compression of the lips, as if they had grown accustomed to
keeping secrets back.

Then with one of those quick transitions of feeling peculiar to a mind
like his, he reproached himself for that c