they do not know of here. At any rate, I shall be on my way. If
he dies, I must die too. Oh! I don't know what I am saying, I am so
utterly crushed down! It would be such a kindness if you would go away,
and let no one come to me. I know Mrs. Forbes is so good, she will
forgive me. I will say good-by to you all before I go to-morrow morning;
but I must think now."

For one moment he stood looking at her as if he longed to comfort her by
more words. He thought better of it, however, and silently left the
room.

For a long time Ellinor sat still; now and then taking up Miss Monro's
letter, and re-reading the few terrible details. Then she bethought her
that possibly the canon might have brought a copy of the _Times_,
containing the examination of Dixon before the magistrates, and she
opened the door and called to a passing servant to make the inquiry. She
was quite right in her conjecture; Dr. Livingstone had had the paper in
his pocket during his interview with her; but he thought the evidence so
conclusive, that the perusal of it would only be adding to her extreme
distress by accelerating the conviction of Dixon's guilt, which he
believed she must arrive at sooner or later.

He had been reading the report over with Mrs. Forbes and her daughters,
after his return from Ellinor's room, and they were all participating in
his opinion upon it, when her request for the _Times_ was brought. They
had reluctantly agreed, saying there did not appear to be a shadow of
doubt on the fact of Dixon's having killed Mr. Dunster, only hoping there
might prove to be some extenuating circumstances, which Ellinor had
probably recollected, and which she was desirous of producing on the
approaching trial.

CHAPTER XIII.

Ellinor, having read the report of Dixon's examination in the newspaper,
bathed her eyes and forehead in cold water, and tried to still her poor
heart's beating, that she might be clear and collected enough to weigh
the evidence.

Every line of it was condemnatory. One or two witnesses spoke of Dixon's
unconcealed dislike of Dunster, a dislike which Ellinor knew had been
entertained by the old servant out of a species of loyalty to his master,
as well as from personal distaste. The fleam was proved beyond all doubt
to be Dixon's; and a man, who had been stable-boy in Mr. Wilkins's
service, swore that on the day when Mr. Dunster was missed, and when the
whole town was wondering what had become of hi