mewhat distressing circumstances
in Rome, with a sick wife and hampered with debt. Arnim Freiligrath
always regarded the dear ladies, as he called them, as his
benefactresses, for, strange to say, from that time orders flowed in
upon him, and he was soon looked upon as a rising and successful
sculptor.

Dinah had once told Malcolm that the woman's features reminded her of
Elizabeth, and Malcolm had agreed with her.

"I think it is the figure that most resembles your sister," he had
said; "but you were wise to buy it, it is very beautiful, and Arnim
Freiligrath is becoming quite the fashion."

Malcolm stepped up to the alcove; he would look at his favourite
water-carrier again. He put aside the heavy plush curtains that
half-veiled the recess, but the next moment he recoiled--for Elizabeth
herself was standing there, almost as motionless as the marble woman
beside her.

She was lost in thought, and had evidently not heard his footfall on
the soft carpet, and she was gazing out into the darkness. Something in
her expression arrested Malcolm's attention: he had never seen her look
like that before, her lips were pressed tightly together, and her eyes
were full of sadness. One hand was resting lightly on the statue, and
Malcolm could see the gleam of the opal ring on her finger.

He feared to startle her, and yet it was impossible for him to stand
there any longer. He pronounced her name almost timidly; and as
Elizabeth started violently and turned round, he could see the tears
glistening in the large gray eyes. "Mr. Herrick," in an astonished
tone, as she gave him her hand--it was very cold, and trembled a little
in his grasp--"what makes you steal upon us like a ghost in the
darkness? Why did you not tell us you were coming?"

"I thought it would be better not," he returned quietly. "I wanted to
speak to you and your sister about something that seemed to me
important." Then Elizabeth gave him one of her quick, searching glances.

"It is about Cedric," she said abruptly--"that boy has got into trouble
again?" Then Malcolm bowed his head. They were standing on the rug
before the fire now, and at Malcolm's mute answer Elizabeth shivered
slightly and held out her hands to the blaze as though she were
physically cold. Malcolm leant for support against the mantel-piece,
and watched her for a moment under his shading hand--if she had only
seen that hungry, eloquent look! But Elizabeth's eyes were fixed on the
fire. Poor