brain to find out some expedient, some
pretext, some excuse, for eluding this order, which it seemed
to me equally dangerous to obey or to resist.

CHAPTER XXII.

"I know not what I said;
I've said too much unless I could speak all.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
****** You've raised the storm
Will sever us for ever ******
The rugged hand of fate has got between
Our meeting hearts, and thrusts them from their joys."

FATAL MARRIAGE.

"Farewell; God knows when we shall meet again;
I have a faint cold fear thrill through my veins
That almost freezes up the heat of life."

SHAKESPEARE.

The following morning I got up with that jaded feeling which
an anxious and sleepless night produces. As I went into my
dressing-room I saw a note lying on the chimney, and
recognised Henry's handwriting. I darted upon it and tore it
open; the few words it contained gave me the sincerest
pleasure, and put an end for the moment to the difficulty
under which I laboured. This was his note:--"Alice was
confined a few hours ago of a small and delicate, but I hope
healthy boy. They are both, I am happy to say, doing as well
as possible. Ask Edward if I can come and dine with you
to-day?"

On a separate paper in the same cover were written these
words:--"You need be under no fresh apprehensions from what
occurred last night. It is as I thought, but you had better be
civil to Escourt; he is a dangerous enemy."

I burnt this last note, and carried the other to Edward. He
read it, and put it down without making any comment upon it.
"Shall I send an answer directly, or wait to call there in the
carriage after breakfast?"

"Just as you please."

"Is Henry to dine here?"

"Of course, as he proposes it."

I sat down to write a note in acknowledgment of Henry's, and
to tell him that we should expect him to dinner. In the
afternoon, when I drove out in the carriage at the usual hour,
I went to his house to inquire after Alice. He came down to
the door of the carriage and gave me a good account of her,
but he looked gloomy and preoccupied. "How long does _she_
stay?" I inquired, with a timid glance at the window.

"Ten days, I believe--ten mortal days. It is hell upon earth
to play the hypocrite, from morning to night."

"If you have any good feeling you ought to be happy to-day."

"Are _you_ come to preach to me too? Are _you_ going to talk
of the _duty_ of being happy? But, come, I will be happ