The late rain had so sweetly freshened and
cleared the air, and washed the sky, and left such glittering gems on
branch and blade, that not even the farmers could have the heart to blame
it. But no ray of sunshine could reach my heart, no breeze could freshen
it; nothing could fill the void my faith, and hope, and joy in Helen
Graham had left, or drive away the keen regrets and bitter dregs of
lingering love that still oppressed it.

While I stood with folded arms abstractedly gazing on the undulating
swell of the corn, not yet disturbed by the reapers, something gently
pulled my skirts, and a small voice, no longer welcome to my ears,
aroused me with the startling words,--'Mr. Markham, mamma wants you.'

'Wants me, Arthur?'

'Yes. Why do you look so queer?' said he, half laughing, half frightened
at the unexpected aspect of my face in suddenly turning towards
him,--'and why have you kept so long away? Come! Won't you come?'

'I'm busy just now,' I replied, scarce knowing what to answer.

He looked up in childish bewilderment; but before I could speak again the
lady herself was at my side.

'Gilbert, I must speak with you!' said she, in a tone of suppressed
vehemence.

I looked at her pale cheek and glittering eye, but answered nothing.

'Only for a moment,' pleaded she. 'Just step aside into this other
field.' She glanced at the reapers, some of whom were directing looks of
impertinent curiosity towards her. 'I won't keep you a minute.'

I accompanied her through the gap.

'Arthur, darling, run and gather those bluebells,' said she, pointing to
some that were gleaming at some distance under the hedge along which we
walked. The child hesitated, as if unwilling to quit my side. 'Go,
love!' repeated she more urgently, and in a tone which, though not
unkind, demanded prompt obedience, and obtained it.

'Well, Mrs. Graham?' said I, calmly and coldly; for, though I saw she was
miserable, and pitied her, I felt glad to have it in my power to torment
her.

She fixed her eyes upon me with a look that pierced me to the heart; and
yet it made me smile.

'I don't ask the reason of this change, Gilbert,' said she, with bitter
calmness: 'I know it too well; but though I could see myself suspected
and condemned by every one else, and bear it with calmness, I cannot
endure it from you.--Why did you not come to hear my explanation on the
day I appointed to give it?'

'Because I happened, in the interim, to le