ept
aloof from me, as I have told you, looking on at my poor little frantic
efforts to be careless with a grand contempt. She watched me as closely
as Grace watched her; but one day, I know not how it happened, some word
of jealous misery escaped me, and Rachel grew very white and silent, and
there was a long pause of days before either of us addressed the other
again; but Rachel's look and manner was altered to me from that moment.
A long, tender, wistful gaze followed me about. She did not venture to
dispute Grace Tyrrell's possession of me, but it made her uneasy. She
was observant and sad, patient and kind, while my manner to her was
often irritable and repellent. One night she stole into my room when I
was sinking to sleep, and bent over me in my bed. "My darling, my
sister!" she said, "let me kiss you, let me put my arms round you. Oh!
why will you always turn away from me?"

I did not answer, except by moving my face shudderingly aside.

"Margery," she whispered again, "tell me why you have turned against me
and John Hollingford."

"You and John!" said I, opening my eyes and looking at her. "Yes, that
is it. You and John. Dear me; am I not grateful to you both? How odd!"

"Margery, shall I swear that you have no reason to be jealous of me?"

"Oh, no, Rachel," I said; "don't swear. Go away and be happy, as I am,
and sleep soundly."

She moved away a step or two, but came back hesitatingly.

"Margery," said she, "I want to tell you--if you will listen to me--I
have a great trouble."

"Have you?" said I. "To think of anyone having a trouble in this world!
I can't believe it."

"But, Margery," she said, putting her hands on my shoulders, and looking
down at me, "I have a secret, and I came here to tell it to you, and you
must listen, for it concerns you."

"Does it?" said I; "then you had better not trust me with your secret,
Rachel. I think I have a wild creature chained up in me somewhere, and
it might do you harm. I advise you not to have anything to do with me.
Good-night."

"Ah!" said she bitterly, turning away, "was ever anyone so changed in so
short a time. This is Miss Tyrrell's doing. She is a spy upon me, and
yet I defy her to know anything about me. She has filled you with her
own cruel prejudice."

"Do not say anything against the Tyrrells in my hearing," I said. "They
are the dearest friends I have."

"If that be true," answered Rachel thoughtfully, "I have nothing more to
say. The thing