bless you.'

They had gradually got to the door, and Hiram, echoing the good night,
stepped into the street.

''God bless you,' indeed,' he muttered. 'Soft words butter no parsnips.
'God bless you!' What idle profanity!'

He walked slowly down the street, unconscious that a young face from a
window of the second story watched his retreating steps--that a young
heart beat painfully as he passed out of sight.

A few moments later Emma's mother entered her room, and found her still
at the window.

'Not yet in bed?' she said tenderly. 'I thought you left me because you
were too much fatigued to sit up.' She came and put her arms about her
daughter's neck and kissed her.

'My dear, I have joyful news for you. Your papa says Hiram takes just
the right view of everything--that nothing can be more satisfactory than
his whole conversation. He explained all to Hiram, and he declares he
never passed a happier evening in his life. Is not that worth coming to
tell you of?'

'Indeed, it is, dear mamma.'

'Now you can sleep?'

'Oh yes.'

But she did not sleep, though. It is not so easy to recover from a heart
shock such as she had just experienced. No, she did not sleep a moment
during the night. Hiram's harsh, repulsive tone and manner haunted her.
Oh, _how_ they haunted her! Never before had he exhibited such traits.
Whatever the future had in store for her, here was a revelation, sudden,
unexpected, _true_.

* * * * *

Honest, simple-minded Mr. Tenant! How he is chattering away to his wife,
repeating again and again his encomiums on Hiram, till she is really
convinced. Why should she not be?

Meanwhile Hiram has reached his lodgings. He goes through with his usual
devotions, and is soon sound asleep. From his composed manner it may
reasonably be inferred that he has made up his mind just what course to
take.

CHAPTER VII.

'Mr. Meeker!'

There was no answer.

'Mr. Meeker!'

The accent was one of sudden distress and alarm. There was a short
pause, when the call was renewed.

'Mr. Meeker!'

'What is it? What is the matter? Is anything the matter?'

A slight groan.

Mr. Meeker sprang from his bed as if he were a young man, and made haste
to light a candle.

'My dear, are you ill?'

'I don't know. It's something strange.'

Mrs. Meeker's voice sounded so unnatural that her husband hurried to the
other side of the bed. He found his wife helpless, unable to change her