these days, and there was no
necessity for John to present himself amongst us, though there might
have been many an opportunity if he had cared to seek one. All the light
short nights I lay awake, wondering what was going to become of my life.

And Rachel? Was she mindful of the promise she had given me on that
night? Alas! no, my dears. She was absorbed in her Arthur. They went
here and there together; they were ever side by side, dreaming away the
time; seeming lost to every one else in their happiness. I should have
thought that Rachel had forgotten all her confession to me, all that had
passed between us on the subject, but for a piteous look which she gave
me now and again when no one was by.

At last an early day was fixed for the marriage, and a wonderful
trousseau came down from London for Rachel. The pretty things were
hardly looked at by her, and packed away out of sight. Then I saw that
two warring spirits were striving within Rachel. The colour left her
face, she grew thin, she started and trembled at a sudden word or noise.
Sometimes in the middle of the summer nights, just as the earliest birds
were beginning to stir, she would come into my room and throw herself
weeping across my bed. But I dared not speak to her then. She would not
tolerate a word. And so she took her way.

One morning Arthur went off to explore some place alone--a most unusual
event. I was in my own room when Rachel came in to me, suddenly and
quickly, and very pale.

"Come," she said, "come now, I have got courage to go this moment, but I
must not delay. Come, come!"

"Where are you going," I asked.

"You know well," she said impatiently; "to my mother. See, I am taking
nothing valuable with me."

She had on a calico morning dress, and plain straw hat. She had taken
the ear-rings out of her ears, the rings off her fingers.

I was ready in an instant, and we went off through the wood together. I
did not attempt to ask her what she meant to do; she was not in a mood
for answering questions. She took my hand as we walked, and held it
tightly, and we went along as children do when they are going through
the green wood in quest of May flowers, only our steps were more
fearful, and our faces paler than children's are wont to be. We went on
very silently and bravely, till we were about half-way, deep in the
wood, when a cheerful shout came across our ears, and there was a
swaying and crackling of bushes; and Arthur Noble's handsome