ned arrow to him; and then she felt shocked at having
obtruded the subject on him at all, and when she found him leaning back
in his chair, spent and worn out, she waited on him in the quietest,
gentlest way she could accomplish, and tried to show that she had put
the subject entirely aside. However, when they were next alone together,
he turned his face away and muttered, "What did that woman say to you?"

"Oh, Alick, I am sorry I began! It only gives you pain."

"Go on--"

She did go on till she had told all, and he uttered no word of comment.
She longed to ask whether he disapproved of her having permitted the
interview; but as he did not again recur to the topic, it was making a
real and legitimate use of strength of mind to abstain from tearing him
on the matter. Yet when she recollected what worldly honour would once
have exacted of a military man, and the conflicts between religion and
public opinion, she felt thankful indeed that half a century lay between
her and that terrible code, and even as it was, perceiving the strong
hold that just resentment had taken on her husband's silently determined
nature, she could not think of the neighbourhood of the Carleton family
without dread.

CHAPTER XXVII. THE POST BAG.

"Thefts, like ivy on a ruin, make the rifts they seem to shade."--
C. G. DUFFY.

"August 3d, 7 A. M.

"My Dear Colonel Keith,--Papa is come, and I have got up so early in the
morning that I have nothing to do but to write to you before we go in to
Avoncester. Papa and Mr. Beechum came by the six o'clock train, and Lady
Temple sent me in the waggonette to meet them. Aunt Ailie would not
go, because she was afraid Aunt Ermine would get anxious whilst she was
waiting. I saw papa directly, and yet I did not think it could be papa,
because you were not there, and he looked quite past me, and I do not
think he would have found me or the carriage at all if Mr. Beechum had
not known me. And then, I am afraid I was very naughty, but I could not
help crying just a little when I found you had not come; but perhaps
Lady Keith may be better, and you may come before I go into court
to-day, and then I shall tear up this letter. I am afraid papa thought I
was unkind to cry when he was just come home, for he did not talk to me
near so much as Mr. Beechum did, and his eyes kept looking out as if he
did not