hen you smile and raise your eyes
as in thanksgiving! Now, I do wonder what it all means?"

"It means, dear Jacquelina, that I am the most grateful creature upon
the face of the earth, just now; and to-morrow I will tell you why I am
so," said Marian, with a rosy smile. And well she might be most grateful
and most happy, for that letter had brought her assurance of fortune
beyond her greatest desires. On reading the news, her very first thought
had been of Thurston. Now the great objection of the miser to their
marriage would be removed--the great obstacle to their immediate union
overcome. Thurston would be delivered from temptation; she would be
saved anxiety and suspense. "Yes; I will meet him this evening; I cannot
keep this blessed news from him a day longer than necessary, for this
fortune that has come to me will all be his own! Oh, how rejoiced I am
to be the means of enriching him! How much good we can both do!"

These were the tumultuous, generous thoughts that sent the flush to
Marian's cheeks, the smiles to her lips, and the tears to her eyes; that
caused those white fingers to clasp, and those clear eyes to rise to
Heaven in thankfulness, as she folded up her treasured letter and placed
it in her bosom.

An hour's ride brought them to Old Field Cottage. The sun had not yet
set, but the sky was dark with clouds that threatened rain or snow; and
therefore Jacquelina only took time to jump out and speak to Edith,
shake hands with old Jenny, kiss Miriam, and bid adieu to Marian; and
then, saying that she believed she would hurry back on her aunty's
account, and that she was afraid she would not get to Luckenough before
ten o'clock, anyhow, she jumped into the carriage and drove off.

And Marian, guarding her happy secret, entered the cottage to make
preparations for keeping her appointment with Thurston.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, at Luckenough, Dr. Grimshaw kept his room until late in the
afternoon. Then, descending the stairs, and meeting the maid Maria, who
almost shrieked aloud at the ghastly face that confronted her, he asked:

"Where is Mrs. Grimshaw?"

"Lord, sir!" cried the girl, half paralyzed by the sound of his
sepulchral voice, "she's done gone home 'long o' Miss Marian."

"When will she be back, do you know?"

"Lord, sir!" cried Maria, shuddering, "I heerd her tell old Mis', how
she didn't think she'd be back to-night."

"Ah!" said the unhappy man, in a hollow