roud, sorrowful farewell.

She reached home, but it took the last remnant of her strength. She
was carried to her bed, and she remained there many weeks. The hills
were white with snow, and the winter winds were sounding among them
like the chant of a high mass, when she came down once more to the
parlor. Even then Will carried her like a baby in his arms. He had
carried her mother in the same way, when she began to die; and his
heart trembled and smote him. He was very tender with his little
sister, but tempests of rage tossed him to and fro when he thought of
Ulfar Fenwick.

And he was compelled lately to think of him very often. All over the
fell-side, all through Allerdale, it had begun to be whispered,
"Aspatria Anneys has been deserted by her lover." How the fact had
become known it was difficult to discover: it was as if it had flown
from roof to roof with the sparrows. Will could see it in the faces of
his neighbours, could hear it in the tones of their speech, could feel
it in the clasp of their hands. And he thought of these things, until
he could not eat a meal or sleep an hour in peace. His heart was on
fire with suppressed rage. He told Brune that all he wanted was to lay
Fenwick across his knees and break his neck. And then he spread out
his mighty hands, and clasped and unclasped them with a silent force
that had terrible anticipation in it. And he noticed that after her
illness his sister no longer wore the circlet of diamonds which had
been her betrothal-ring. She had evidently lost all hope. Then it was
time for him to interfere.

Aspatria feared it when he came to her room one morning and kissed her
and bade her good-by. He said he was going a bit off, and might be a
week away,--happen more. But she did not dare to question him. Will at
times had masterful ways, which no one dared to question.

Brune knew where his brother was going. The night before he had taken
Brune to the little room which was called the Squire's room. In it
there was a large oak chest, black with age and heavy with iron bars.
It contained the title-deeds, and many other valuable papers. Will
explained these and the other business of the farm to Brune; and Brune
did not need to ask him why. He was well aware what business William
Anneys was bent on, before Will said,--"I am going to Fenwick Castle,
Brune. I am going to make that measureless villain marry Aspatria."

"Is it worth while, Will?"

"It is worth while. He shall k