Norman was by her side in a moment.

"Have you had ill news? What is wrong?" he asked her, anxiously.

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Papa, he is coming home! Papa!”—and there she stopped, as if the words choked her-"I must start for London at once. Where is Mr. Gascoigne ?"

"Unfortunately, he is away-at Trumin. I don't expect him back for two or three hours. But tell me what you wish to do. Let me help you if I

can."

He brought her a chair and persuaded her to sit down; for in fact it was evident that she could hardly stand. He was shocked to perceive her strong though repressed agitation, and stood silently watching her; anxious enough to know more, but waiting without word or look of inquiry till she should somewhat regain composure.

"How can I help you?" he ventured to ask, after a pause; "tell me, what can be done?"

"I must go to papa. He is ill. I must start at once for London," she repeated more distinctly, but still in a half mechanical way; looking not at him, but straight before her, with a painful expression in her clear eyes. And then she rose to her feet with

a movement of restless impatience, saying that since Mr. Gascoigne was not likely to return immediately, she would go back to the house. She

had many things to arrange. She must prepare for her journey. How soon could she reach London ?” "You do not mean to day? Surely you need not leave us so suddenly?"

"At once-yes! I ought to be in London now," she said, with vehemence. "Phrasie is waiting. We are to go on together. I must stay for nothing. Can I get to Starmouth in time for the afternoon express ?"

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Scarcely. But I will see," said Norman, and then and there consulted the time-bill hanging on the office wall. He turned to her with the information.

"The train starts at 3:30 P.M. You would have to cross the ferry and be at Rock Point in less than an hour, in order to reach Starmouth station in time."

"I will be ready." And she was hurrying away without further parley; but Norman sprang after her, drew her arm within his, and guided her along the pathway leading into Longhope garden.

"Are you quite sure that this is necessary, and that you cannot stay, even till to-morrow morning? Remember

She interrupted him with feverish eagerness. "Yes-yes, I am quite sure. I ought to goI must go as quickly as possible-to papa. I must start at once-at once!"

"There will be no time to send after Eve before you start. You will not see her if you are bent on catching this afternoon's train."

"I cannot-I must not think of that," she said, hastily; but the excited tone in which she had hitherto spoken began to be slightly subdued. A sort of shiver passed over her, and for the first time, the constrained, spurious composure of her pallid aspect seemed to give way. "Indeed-indeed I must go!

There is nothing else for me to do. Papa needs me. I cannot―ought not to rest till I am with papa."

"I trust it is no serious illness, that you do not feel anxious about Mr. Lisle ?"

"I-I-hardly know. He is there has been-he is ill. He wants me very much."

"Is he already in England, or do you expect him ?"

"No, he is not coming to England. He-I think I am to join him-somewhere on the continent. I shall know from Phrasie. It is-Oh, don't ask me!" she said piteously, and broke from this incoherent attempt at explanation into the oftrepeated burden, "I must go-I must not waitfor anything."

"I understand," Norman said, with deep sympathy in his quiet voice. "I will say no more. Everything shall be done to speed your departure."

VOL II.

C

And as he spoke he involuntarily drew her arm more closely within his own, and bent over her with an impulse of unutterable solicitude and compassion. It seemed marvellous how the bright face could so quickly have learned its intense expression of perplexed, helpless misery. But though he could not altogether comprehend why, he could well imagine how she was staggering blindly under the sudden infliction of a new and terrible burden-suffering the first anguish of a hitherto undreamed-of sorrow. His soul was melted within him as he looked on her-poor child!—with her quivering lips and eyes that glittered with such unnatural brilliance. But how little he could do, or even say! He hardly uttered a word more, refraining from all further questions or comments. The truest kindness was to show her all possible sympathy helpfully and actively, but in silence. He left her in the house, calling Nurse to attend to her, and immediately directed himself to the forwarding all necessary arrangements. A messenger was despatched over to Rock Point to order the only available vehicle there to be in readiness. And then, having written a hasty explanation of affairs to Mr. Gascoigne to be given to him on his return, Norman went back to fetch Miss Lisle. He found her sitting quite ready, in travelling gear, with old nurse standing over her

persuading her to swallow a few morsels of the bread and meat she had brought her. He was relieved to see that a look of more natural life had come into Claudia's face. She even answered with а half smile nurse's many thoughtful injunctions as to taking food and wrapping up, &c., and was able to speak with a steady voice to Mr. Trenant, and enter intelligently into details of the coming journey. And then she bade kind old nurse good-by, affectionately, yet hurriedly, as if she feared to trust herself. Twice she attempted to leave a message for

Eve, and could not.

"Never mind," she said, "let me go!" And with one brief, intent glance round the familiar room, she stepped from it into the garden, Norman following.

Nothing was said, as they went through the shrubbery and orchard, and down the meadow-path, -the pleasant way by which of old, they had been wont to go to the river-side to embark in the boat. And there lay the boat, even as of old, the water plashing gently about it, the sunlight dancing on the ripples in dazzling jewel-like gleams.

"How often everything has been like this-the meadow, the river, the boat! Is all the rest a dream, do you think?" Claudia whispered, almost involuntarily as it seemed, when Norman took her