ould he
repeat them? and as he did, would a sudden light flash on his
brain, and the whole truth burst upon him at once? There had
been a scuffle in that gallery. What was it? I must know; I
must hear; I must speak to Henry.

"More shouting! more hallooing!"

"Mr. Middleton is coming in, Ma'am."

"Lock the door, and say I am asleep."

"What were you pleased to say, Ma'am?"

"Nothing, nothing. Do I look very ill?"

"Not very ill, Ma'am."

Edward came, and in a kind manner said, "My own love, I am so
vexed to hear that you have been poorly. You ought not to have
come. How are you now?"

"Better, dearest."

"Your aunt says you are not to talk; so now be quite still,
and try to go to sleep. I am going to dinner, where I shall
have to speak again. Did you like my speech this morning?"

I seized his hand, kissed it over and over again, and then
pressed it upon my eyes, as I answered; "Perfect,--perfect as
yourself."

He drew me fondly to him; and I whispered in his ear, "Come to
Elmsley now. Do not leave me; I am weak; I am ill. Give up
this dinner; I shall be miserable if you go to it. Take me
back to Elmsley _now_, immediately."

"My dear love, what are you talking about? You know the thing
is impossible. You can go when you like with your aunt; I
shall come in the evening."

"That will not do, Edward. I entreat, I implore you not to
leave me. Have I no influence with you? Have those detestable
politics already so engrossed you, that my wishes, my
entreaties, are vain?"

"For Heaven's sake, Ellen, do not be so foolish! Again in
tears! Again a scene! This is really past endurance."

He walked up and down the room, while I stood by the chimney,
and with clasped hands and streaming eyes repeated, "Scold me;
reproach me; but do not leave me! Do, do, I implore you, come
with me at once to Elmsley."

At this moment my maid came in, and put a letter into Edward's
hands. The direction was exactly in the same round, peculiar
characters, in which the threatening words that had been twice
addressed to me were written. I felt myself turning as pale as
death, and then the blood rushed to my head with violence. I
darted upon the letter, and in a second I had snatched it out
of Edward's hand and thrown it into the fire. He looked at me
for an instant in silent astonishment; and, partly to implore
forgiveness, partly because I trembled so that I could not
stand, I fell on my knees, and hid my face in my hands.