hort, hidden
night visit, that he did not commit the murder; that it was another who
did?"

"Yes, I remember it," replied Barbara.

"Barbara, I am convinced he spoke the truth; I trust him implicitly."

"I feel sure of it also, mamma."

"I asked him, you remember, whether it was Otway Bethel who committed
it; for I have always doubted Bethel, in an indefinite, vague manner.
Richard replied it was not Bethel, but a stranger. Well, Barbara, in my
dream I thought that stranger came to West Lynne, that he came to this
house here, and we were talking to him of him, conversing as we might
with any other visitor. Mind you, we seemed to _know_ that he was the
one who actually did it; but he denied it. He wanted to put it upon
Richard; and I saw him, yes I did, Barbara--whisper to Otway Bethel. But
oh, I cannot tell you the sickening horror that was upon me throughout,
and seemed to be upon you also, lest he should make good his own
apparent innocence, and crush Richard, his victim. I think the dread and
horror awoke me."

"What was he like, this stranger?" asked Barbara, in a low tone.

"Well, I cannot quite tell. The recollection of his appearance seemed to
pass away from me with the dream. He was dressed as a gentleman, and we
conversed, with him as an equal."

Barbara's mind was full of Captain Thorn, but his name had not been
mentioned to Mrs. Hare, and neither would she mention it now. She fell
into deep thought; and Mrs. Hare had to speak twice before she could be
aroused.

"Barbara, I say, don't you think this dream, coming uncalled for
uninduced, must forebode some ill? Rely upon it, something connected
with that wretched murder is going to be stirred up again."

"You know, I do not believe in dreams," was Barbara's answer. "I think
when people say, 'this dream is a sign of such and such a thing,' it is
the greatest absurdity in the world. I wish you could remember what the
man seemed like in your dream."

"I wish I could," answered Mrs. Hare, breaking off a particle of her dry
toast. "All I can remember is, that he appeared to be a gentleman."

"Was he tall? Had he black hair?"

Mrs. Hare shook her heard. "I tell you, my dear, the remembrance has
passed from me; so whether his hair was black or light, I cannot say.
I think he was tall, but he was sitting down, and Otway Bethel stood
behind his chair. I seemed to feel that Richard was outside the door in
hiding, trembling lest the man should go out and se