o baptize your sick child. Your wife is dying, and you must hasten
if you would see her alive.'

'That won't do. You know better than that,' returned Owen, with
ill-concealed agitation, partaking of anger. 'She was quite recovered
when last I heard, but she is a famous hand at getting up a scene; and
that mother of hers would drive Job out of his senses. They have worked
on your weak mind. I was an ass to trust to the old woman's dissent for
hindering them from finding you out, and getting up a scene.'

'They did not. It was by accident that I was the person who answered the
summons. They knew neither me nor my name, so you may acquit them of any
preparation. I recognized your name, which I was desired to give to the
child; and then, in spite of wasting, terror, and deadly sickness, I knew
the mother. She has been pining under low nervous fever, still believing
you on the Continent; and the discovery that she had been deceived, was
such a shock as to bring on a violent attack, which she is not likely to
have strength to survive.'

'I never told her I was still abroad,' said Owen, in a fretful tone of
self-defence. 'I only had my letters forwarded through my scout; for I
knew I should have no peace nor safety if the old woman knew where to
find me, and preach me crazy; and I could not be going to see after her,
for, thanks to Honor Charlecote and her schools, every child in
Whittingtonia knows me by sight. I told her to be patient till I had a
curacy, and was independent; but it seems she could not be. I'll run up
as soon as I can get some plea for getting away from the Holt.'

'Death will leave no time for your excuses,' said Robert. 'By setting
off at once, you may catch the five o'clock express at W---'

'Well, it is your object to have a grand explosion! When I am cut out,
you and Cilly may make a good thing of it. I wish you joy! Ha! by
Jove!' he muttered, as he saw Phoebe waiting out of earshot. And then,
turning from Robert, who was dumb in the effort to control a passionate
reply, he called out, 'Good-bye, Phoebe; I beg your pardon, but you see I
am summoned. Family claims are imperative!'

'What is the matter?' said the maiden, terrified not only at his tone,
but at the gestures of her brother of fierce, suppressed menace towards
him, despairing protection towards her.

'Why, he has told you! Matter enough, isn't it? I'm a married man. I
ask your compassion!' with a bitter laugh.

'I