it be that he has done this dreadful thing?" and shuddering she hid her
face on Elsie's shoulder her slight frame shaken with the sobs she
vainly strove to suppress.

"Dear Mrs. Carrington, I am so sorry, so _very_ sorry to think it,"
Elsie said, in a voice full of tears, "my heart aches for you who love
him so; you who have been so sorely afflicted: may the Lord give you
strength to bear up under this new trial."

"He will! he does! My sister's son! oh tis sad, 'tis heart-breaking! But
the proofs: what are they?"

Elsie named them; first drawing her friend to a seat where she supported
her with her arm.

"Yes, yes, his voice, his gait are both peculiar, and--his hand. Let me
see that--that garment."

Leading her into a private room, and seating her comfortably there Elsie
had it brought and laid before her.

Mrs. Carrington gave it one glance, and motioning it away with a look
and gesture of horror, dropped her face into her hands and groaned
aloud.

Elsie kneeling by her side, clasped her arms about her and wept with
her.

"A slayer of the weak and helpless--a murderer--a midnight assassin!"
groaned the half distracted aunt.

"May there not possibly be some mistake. Let us give him the benefit of
the doubt," whispered Elsie.

"Alas there seems scarcely room for doubt!" sighed Mrs. Carrington,
then, with a determined effort to recover her composure, "But don't
think, dear Elsie, that I blame you or your husband. Can I see him? and
your father if he is here?"

"Yes, they are both here and will rejoice if they can be of any comfort
or service to you. Ah, I hear papa's voice in the hall, asking for me!"
and stepping to the door, she called to him and her husband, "Please
come in here," she said, "Mrs. Carrington wishes to see you both."

"You here and alone at this late hour, my dear madam!" Mr. Dinsmore
exclaimed, taking the old lady's hand in a cordial grasp, "your courage
surprises me."

"Ah, my good friend, they who have little to lose, need not have much to
do with fear," she answered. "That was what I told Sophie who would have
had me defer my call till to-morrow."

"My dear madam, you are surely right in thinking that no one would
molest you--a lady whom all classes unite in loving and honoring," Mr.
Travilla said, greeting her with almost filial respect and affection.

She bowed in acknowledgment. "Do not think for a moment that I have come
to upbraid you, gentlemen. Justice demands that those