l and handsome
gentleman, with a grand carriage drawn up at the road-side, waiting for
her. The girl seemed to interpret her thoughts.

"I have come alone," she said, briefly. "Won't you bid me enter?"

"That I will, Miss Gerelda!" cried Nurse Henderson, laughing and crying
over her.

But when she drew her into the house, and took off the long cloak she
wore, she was startled beyond expression to see that she wore a
bridal-dress all ruined and torn.

Nurse Henderson held up her hands in wild alarm.

"Oh, Miss Gerelda!" she cried; "what does it mean? I am terrified!"

"Do not ask me any questions, I pray; I am not able to answer them just
yet. Some day I may tell you all, but not now."

The old nurse placed her on a sofa, begging her to rest herself, as she
looked so pale and worn, saying that she might tell her anything she
wished, a little later, when she was stronger.

It was a fortnight before Gerelda had strength to leave her old nurse's
home, and during that time she had made a _confidante_ of old Nurse
Henderson, pledging her beforehand never to reveal the story she had
told her. Nurse Henderson listened, horror-struck, to the story.

"I am going to see for myself, Henderson," she added, in conclusion,
"just how much truth there is in this affair. If I find that Hubert
Varrick has been so false to me, it will surely kill me. I am going
there to see for myself."

"You do not seem to realize, my dear," said Nurse Henderson, "that the
people say you eloped with his rival, and that he believes them."

"He should have had more confidence in me, no matter what the world
says!" cried Gerelda, with flashing eyes. "He should have searched for
me. I have often thought since, that Heaven intended just what has
occurred to test his love for me. I firmly believe this. I intend to
disguise myself, and go boldly to his home and see for myself whether
the report is false or true. Of course, a rival would not stoop to make
up any falsehood against him and pour it into my ears. You will help me
to disguise myself, Henderson?"

"I have thought it all out," continued the heiress, "while I have been
under this roof, and I have been trying to gain strength for the ordeal.
Let me tell it to you, Henderson, and you will marvel at my clever plan.
You know that from a child I could always do exquisite fancy-work. Well,
I mean to make use of that talent. Mrs. Varrick--Hubert's mother--has
always said she would give anything to