rayed aloud beside her, unheeded.

At last she spoke, looking straight before her, as if she was speaking
to the wall.

"Bring my godfather here."

"Won't you see your father first?" said Jael, timidly.

"I have no father. I want something I can lean on over the gulf--a man
of honor. Fetch Mr. Raby to me."

Jael kissed her tenderly, and wept over her once more a minute, then
went softly down-stairs and straight into the breakfast-room.

Here, in the meantime, considerable amusement had been created by the
contest between Lally and Jael Dence, the more so on account of the
triumph achieved by the weaker vessel.

When Lally got up, and looked about him ruefully, great was the delight
of the younger gentlemen.

When he walked in-doors, they chaffed him through an open window, and
none of them noticed that the man was paler than even the rough usage he
had received could account for.

This jocund spirit, however, was doomed to be short-lived.

Lally came into the room, looking pale and troubled, and whispered a
word in his master's ear; then retired, but left his master as pale as
himself.

Coventry, seated at a distance from the window, had not seen the
scrimmage outside, and Lally's whispered information fell on him like a
thunderbolt.

Mr. Beresford saw at once that something was wrong, and hinted as much
to his neighbor. It went like magic round the table, and there was an
uneasy silence.

In the midst of this silence, mysterious sounds began to be heard in the
bride's chamber: a faint scream; feet rushing across the floor; a sound
as of some one sinking heavily on to a chair or couch.

Presently came a swift stamping that told a tale of female passion; and
after that confused sounds that could not be interpreted through the
ceiling, yet somehow the listeners felt they were unusual. One or two
attempted conversation, out of politeness; but it died away--curiosity
and uneasiness prevailed.

Lally put his head in at the door, and asked if the carriage was to be
packed.

"Of course," said Coventry; and soon the servants, male and female, were
seen taking boxes out from the hall to the carriage.

Jael Dence walked into the room, and went to Mr. Raby.

"The bride desires to see you immediately, sir."

Raby rose, and followed Jael out.

The next minute a lady's maid came, with a similar message to Dr.
Amboyne.

He rose with great alacrity, and followed her.

There was nothing remarkable in the br