om all that was passing
around her--so hushed and strange were the tones of her voice. They
had letters from home announcing the triumphant return of Mr Donne as
M.P. for Eccleston. Mrs Denbigh heard the news without a word, and
was too languid to join in the search after purple and yellow flowers
with which to deck the sitting-room at Eagle's Crag.

A letter from Jemima came the next day, summoning them home. Mr Donne
and his friends had left the place, and quiet was restored in the
Bradshaw household; so it was time that Mary's and Elizabeth's
holiday should cease. Mrs Denbigh had also a letter--a letter from
Miss Benson, saying that Leonard was not quite well. There was so
much pains taken to disguise anxiety, that it was very evident much
anxiety was felt; and the girls were almost alarmed by Ruth's sudden
change from taciturn langour to eager, vehement energy. Body and mind
seemed strained to exertion. Every plan that could facilitate packing
and winding-up affairs at Abermouth, every errand and arrangement
that could expedite their departure by one minute, was done by Ruth
with stern promptitude. She spared herself in nothing. She made
them rest, made them lie down, while she herself lifted weights and
transacted business with feverish power, never resting, and trying
never to have time to think.

For in remembrance of the Past there was Remorse,--how had she
forgotten Leonard these last few days!--how had she repined and been
dull of heart to her blessing! And in anticipation of the Future
there was one sharp point of red light in the darkness which pierced
her brain with agony, and which she would not see or recognise--and
saw and recognised all the more for such mad determination--which is
not the true shield against the bitterness of the arrows of Death.

When the seaside party arrived in Eccleston, they were met by Mrs and
Miss Bradshaw and Mr Benson. By a firm resolution, Ruth kept from
shaping the question, "Is he alive?" as if by giving shape to her
fears she made their realisation more imminent. She said merely, "How
is he?" but she said it with drawn, tight, bloodless lips, and in her
eyes Mr Benson read her anguish of anxiety.

"He is very ill, but we hope he will soon be better. It is what every
child has to go through."

CHAPTER XXV

Jemima Makes a Discovery

Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point. His member had
been returned; his proud opponents mortified. So the publ