answer I looked up stealthily into his face, and saw in it an expression that convinced me some mysterious, and I fancied then, supernatural influence had drawn his thoughts into a brighter and purer atmosphere, whither I might not follow.

It was but for a little while, and then he spoke again gently and kindly, but the current had been wholly changed and if we had remained together, our conversation would have been no more of things human, but of things divine.

The doctor's visit sent down Mr. Errol to have a turn in the garden with his son, and I, declining an invitation to join them, went to look for Mrs. Allen in the housekeeper's room.

CHAPTER XVI.

POOR RICHARD.

Nor finding my old friend, I sat down to await her coming, and to think over the interview I had just had with Richard. That he had heard or guessed something of Mr. Seymour's professed attachment to me there could be no doubt, and that my determination to stay and nurse the sick man, had led to the belief that the sentiment was mutual, appeared equally evident; but I was puzzled beyond measure as to how the

knowledge had been gained, for I had never suspected Mr. Seymour of hinting it even to Effie, and still less could I suppose that he had made a confidant of Richard Errol. For a moment the idea crossed my mind that Mrs. Allen had been chattering, but I dismissed this thought indignantly when I remembered how few opportunities she could have had since last night of speaking to Richard, and how full her heart was of a grief that must, for the time, banish from it all subjects of a minor interest.

It was altogether a mystery, and likely to remain one, as most assuredly I should never allude to the matter again, and after what I had told him, it was equally improbable that Richard would do so.

I should certainly have felt a satisfaction in knowing what he had thought about it prior to our conversation; whether his sound judgment had been enlisted in favour of the presumed at

tachment or otherwise, but having no means at my command for obtaining this information, I was obliged to be content with my ignorance, and at the same time try to believe that, after all, it was of no consequence in the world.

It was not long that the subject occupied my thoughts on the present occasion, for these soon went back to Effie in her white shroud upstairs, and to her poor father who would perhaps die ere he knew of his loss, and to the mourning household, and to my own desolate future, over which I could see shining no sun, nor moon, nor star, to cheer its loneliness.

When Mrs. Allen came in, my eyes must have been red and swollen, for she said I should cry myself into a fever, and that I ought to take example by Mr. Richard.

"Give me something to do then, dear Mrs. Allen, and working will drive away the tears." "Is it settled for you to stay?"

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Yes, quite; you are not sorry I hope."

"For my own sake I am glad enough, for to speak truth I begin to feel my age amidst all this trouble and excitement, and if you could just take my place as housekeeper while these gentlemen are here, I could get a little rest sometimes, and it would be doing me a real kindness."

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Only give me a lesson in my new duties, and you shall see how zealously I will perform them; but if any extra watching or attendance is required up-stairs, I must be permitted to be useful there as well."

"So you shall, my dear, depend upon it. Mr. Davison says master is going on pretty well, but that the crisis won't come for three or four days

"I suppose not. Does he seem to suffer much."

"He's quite delirious, poor gentleman, and