heart. That
very day--the one of Captain Levison's visit to Levison Park--in driving
through West Lynne in the pony carriage, she had come upon her husband
in close converse with Barbara Hare. So absorbed were they, that they
never saw her, though her carriage passed close to the pavement where
they stood.

On the morning following this, as the Hare family were seated at
breakfast, the postman was observed coming toward the house. Barbara
sprang from her seat to the open window, and the man advanced to her.

"Only one miss. It is for yourself."

"Who is it from?" began the justice, as Barbara returned to her chair.
In letters as in other things, he was always curious to know their
contents, whether they might be addressed to himself or not.

"It is from Anne, papa," replied Barbara, as she laid the letter by her
side on the table.

"Why don't you open it and see what she says?"

"I will, directly; I am just going to pour out some more tea for mamma."

Finally the justice finished his breakfast, and strolled out into the
garden.

Barbara opened her letter; Mrs. Hare watched her movements and her
countenance. She saw the latter flush suddenly and vividly, and then
become deadly pale; she saw Barbara crush the note in her hand when
read.

"Oh, mamma!" she uttered.

The flush of emotion came also into Mrs. Hare's delicate cheeks.
"Barbara, is it bad news?"

"Mamma, it--it--is about Richard," she whispered, glancing at the door
and window, to see that none might be within sight or hearing. "I never
thought of him; I only fancied Anne might be sending me some bit of
news concerning her own affairs. Good Heavens! How fortunate--how
providential that papa did not see the paper fall; and that you did not
persist in your inquiries. If he--"

"Barbara, you are keeping me in suspense," interrupted Mrs. Hare, who
had also grown white. "What should Anne know about Richard?"

Barbara smoothed out the writing, and held it before her mother. It was
as follows:--

"I have had a curious note from R. It was without date or signature, but
I knew his handwriting. He tells me to let you know, in the most sure
and private manner that I can, that he will soon be paying another night
visit. You are to watch the grove every evening when the present moon
gets bright."

Mrs. Hare covered her face for some minutes. "Thank God for all his
mercies," she murmured.

"Oh, mamma, but it is an awful risk for him to run!"

"But to kn