told Miss Campion that I will go."

"Next week!"

"Yes, probably next Wednesday or Thursday, about a week from to-day. I
shall have to be very busy, you see. Don't look so pale over it, Fern;
six months will soon pass. Do you know," rather sadly, "I have had
such a curious feeling all day, as though something were going to
happen, and that I wanted to get away first. Oh, I can't explain it; I
felt the same yesterday. Fern, did Mr. Huntingdon tell you anything
more about those friends of his whom he met down at Sandycliffe?"

"No, dear," with rather a wondering look, "he only just mentioned
them, you know. What nice people they were, and so kind and friendly;
he took rather a fancy to them."

"Yes, but I thought he might have spoken of them again."

"Oh, no, he only saw them twice; he just went over to tell them how
Lady Redmond's ankle was; it was only the accident that made him speak
of them at all. How interested you seem in those Ferrers, Crystal."

"Yes," was the quick response; but something in her voice made Fern
look at her inquiringly. "Did you--did you know them, Crystal?" she
asked, in some surprise.

"Yes," was again the brief answer; but after a moment's silence she
said, "Fern, you have been very good, very patient all this time, you
have never asked me any questions about my past life. I think as I am
going away from you, and as one can not tell what may happen, that I
should like you to know my miserable story. Oh, it will be safe with
you; I do not fear that for a moment; I have only hesitated all these
months because of the pain of telling it, and for fear you should
cease to love me if you knew of the faults I am so bitterly
expiating."

"Faults," incredulously; "I have never seen them, Crystal, you always
seem so good and brave and patient."

"My dear," she answered, mournfully, "appearances are deceitful
sometimes. Do you remember the story of the poor demoniac whose name
was Legion, and how he sat clothed and saved and in his right mind: to
me it is one of the most touching and beautiful instances of the
Redeemer's power. He was so galled by his chains, he was so torn and
wasted by those evil spirits among the Galilean tombs. Fern," with a
deep pathetic look in her eyes, "sometimes it seems to me that, thank
God, the evil spirit is exorcised in me too--that there is nothing in
my heart now but passionate regret for an unpremeditated sin."

"My poor dear Crystal, is it so bad as that?"