and if one look unto
the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in
the heavens thereof." Every effort at prayer or at calm recall of old
thoughts still ended in that desolate verse. The first relief to these
miserable dreams was the cool clear morning light, and by-and-by
the early cathedral bells, then Grace's kind greeting made her quite
herself; no longer feverish, but full of lassitude and depression. She
would not listen to Grace's entreaties that she would remain in bed. No
place was so hateful to her, she said, and she came down apparently not
more unwell than had been the case for many days past, so that after
breakfast her mother saw no reason against leaving her on the sofa,
while going out to perform some commissions in the town, attended,
of course, by Grace. Miss Wellwood promised that she should not be
disturbed, and she found that she must have been asleep, for she was
taken by surprise by the opening of the door, and the apologetic face
of the butler, who told her that a gentleman had asked if she would see
him, and presented the card of "Captain Alexander Keith."

Eagerly she desired that he should be admitted, tremulously she awaited
his sentence upon her mother's peace, and, as she thought of all he must
have heard, all he must believe, she felt as if she must flee; or, if
that were impossible, cower in shrinking dread of the glance of his
satirical eye!

Here he was, and she could not look or speak, nor did he; she only felt
that his clasp of greeting was kind, was anxious, and he put forward the
easy-chair, into which she sank, unable to stand. He said, "I saw your
mother and sister going into the town. I thought you would like to hear
of this business at once."

"Oh yes, thank you."

"I could not see the man till the day before yesterday," he said, "and I
could get nothing satisfactory from him. He said he had taken the papers
to a legal friend, but was not authorized to give his name. Perhaps his
views may be changed by his present condition. I will try him again if
you like."

"Thank you, thank you! Do you think this is true!"

"He is too cunning a scoundrel to tell unnecessary lies, and very likely
he may have disposed of them to some Jew attorney; but I think nothing
is to be feared but some annoyance."

"And annoyance to my mother is the one thing I most fear," sighed
Rachel, helplessly.

"There might be a mode of much lessening it to her," he said.

"Oh, what