to think how I shall
find him; and, my God, to reflect that I am the guilty cause of all
this!"

They then separated, and Lucy, accompanied by Alley, proceeded to
town at a pace as rapid as the animals that bore them could possibly
accomplish.

On arriving in town, she was about rushing upstairs to throw herself
in her father's arms, when Gibson, who observed her, approached
respectfully, and said:

"This haste to see your father, Miss Gourlay, is very natural; but
perhaps you will be good enough to wait a few moments, until he is
prepared to receive you. The doctor has left strict orders that he shall
not see any person; but, above all things, without being announced."

"But, Gibson--first, how is he? Is he very ill?"

Gibson assumed a melancholy and very solemn look, as he replied, "He
is, indeed, ill, Miss Gourlay; but it would not become me to distress
you--especially as I hope your presence will comfort him; he is
perpetually calling for you."

"Go, Gibson, go," she exclaimed, whilst tears, which she could not
restrain, gushed to her eyes. "Go, be quick; tell him I am here."

"I will break it to him, madam, as gently as possible," replied
this sedate and oily gentleman; "for, if made acquainted with it too
suddenly, the unexpected joy might injure him."

"Do not injure him, then," she exclaimed, earnestly; "oh, do not injure
him--but go; I leave it to your own discretion."

Lucy immediately proceeded to her own room, and Gibson to the library,
where he found the baronet in his nightcap and morning gown, reading a
newspaper.

"I have the paragraph drawn up, Gibson," said he, with a grim smile,
"stating that I am dangerously ill; take and copy it, and see that it be
inserted in to-morrow's publication."

"It will not be necessary, sir," replied the footman; "Miss Gourlay is
here, and impatient to see you."

"Here!" exclaimed her father with a start; "you do not say she is in the
house?"

"She has just arrived, sir, and is now in her own room."

"Leave me, Gibson," said the baronet, "and attend promptly when I ring;"
and Gibson withdrew. "Why," thought he to himself, "why, do I feel as
I do? Glad that I have her once more in my power, and this is only
natural; but why this kind of terror--this awe of that extraordinary
girl? I dismissed that prying scoundrel of a footman, because I could
not bear that he should observe and sneer at this hypocrisy, although
I know he is aware of it. What can this un