been talking of Thorn, and your thoughts were, naturally bearing
upon him. Imagination--"

"Be still, Barbara," he interrupted in a tone of pain. "Imagination,
indeed! Did I not tell you he was stamped here?" touching his breast.
"Do you take me for a child, or an imbecile, that I should fancy I see
Thorn in every shadow, or meet people where I do not? He had his
hat off, as if he had been walking fast and had got hot--fast he was
walking; and he carried the hat in one hand, and what looked like a
small parcel. With the other hand he was pushing the hair from his
brow--in this way--a peculiar way," added Richard, slightly lifting his
own hat and pushing back his hair. "By that action alone I should have
known him, for he was always doing it in the old days. And there was
his white hand, adorned with his diamond ring! Barbara, the diamond
glittered in the moonlight!"

Richard's voice and manner were singularly earnest, and a conviction of
the truth of his assertion flashed over his sister.

"I saw his face as plainly as I ever saw it--every feature--he is
scarcely altered, save for a haggardness in his cheeks now. Barbara, you
need not doubt me; I swear it was Thorn!"

She grew excited as he was; now that she believed the news, it was
telling upon her; reason left its place and impulse succeeded; Barbara
did not wait to weigh her actions.

"Richard! Mr. Carlyle ought to know this. He has but just gone; we may
overtake him, if we try."

Forgetting the strange appearances it would have--her flying along the
public road at that hour of the night--should she meet any who knew
her--forgetting what the consequence might be, did Justice Hare return
and find her absent, Barbara set off with a fleet foot, Richard more
stealthily following her--his eyes cast in all directions. Fortunately
Barbara wore a bonnet and mantle, which she had put on to pace the
garden with Mr. Carlyle; fortunately, also, the road was remarkably
empty of passengers. She succeeded in reaching Mr. Carlyle before he
turned into East Lynne gates.

"Barbara!" he exclaimed in the extreme of astonishment. "Barbara!"

"Archibald! Archibald!" She panted, gasping for breath. "I am not out
of my mind--but do come and speak to Richard! He has just seen the real
Thorn."

Mr. Carlyle, amazed and wondering, turned back. They got over the field
stile, nearly opposite the gates, drew behind the hedge, and there
Richard told his tale. Mr. Carlyle did not appear