ental and physical, had brought there
could not but be apparent to her. She had to acknowledge to herself that
her father, only one year her Uncle Jasper's senior, looked a very old,
nay, she could not shut her eyes to the fact, a very unhappy man. What
brought that look on his face? A look which she acknowledged to herself
she had seen there all her life, but which seemed to be growing in
intensity with his added years. She closed her own eyes with a pang as a
swift thought of great anguish came over her. This thought passed as
quickly as it came; in her remorse at having entertained it she stooped
down and kissed the withered old hand which still lay in hers.

It was impossible for Charlotte really to doubt her father; but occupied
as she was with her wedding preparations, and full of brightness as her
sky undoubtedly looked to her just now, she had not forgotten Hinton's
manner when she had asked him what faith he put in Mrs. Home's story.
Hinton had evaded her inquiry. This evasion was as much as owning that
he shared Mrs. Home's suspicions. Charlotte must clear up her beloved
father in the eyes of that other beloved one. If on all hands she was
warned not to agitate him, there was another way in which she could do
it: she could read her grandfather's will. But though she had made up
her mind to do this, she had an unaccountable repugnance to the task.
For the first time in all her open, above-board life she would be doing
something which she must conceal from her father. Even John Hinton
should not accompany her to Somerset House. She must find the will and
master its contents, and the deed once done, what a relief to her! With
what joy would she with her own lips chase away the cloud which she felt
sure rested over her beloved father in her lover's heart!

"It is possible that, dearly as we love each other, such a little doubt
might divide us by and by," she said to herself. "Yes, yes, it is right
that I should dissipate it, absolutely right, when I feel so very, very
sure."

At this moment her father stirred in his sleep, and she distinctly heard
the words drop from his lips----

"I would make reparation."

Before she had even time to take these words in, he had opened his eyes
and was gazing at her.

"You are better now," she said, stooping down and kissing him.

"Yes, my darling; much, much better." He sat up as he spoke, and made an
effort to put on at least a show of life and vigor. "A man of my age
f