s_--'On the 17th
instant, at 8, Little Whittington-street, St. Wulstan's, Edna, the
beloved wife of Owen Charteris Sandbrook, Esq.;' another was to order a
complete array of mourning from her dressmaker; and the third was to the
Reverend Peter Prendergast, in the most simple manner requesting him to
arrange for the burial of her sister-in-law, at 5 P.M. on the ensuing
Saturday, indicating the labourers who should act as bearers, and ending
with, 'You will be relieved by hearing that she was no other than our
dear Edna, married on the 14th of July, last year.'

She then beguiled the time with designs for gravestones, until she became
uneasy at Owen's non-appearance, and longed to go and see after him; but
she fancied he might have spent nights of watching, and thought sleep
would be the best means of getting through the interval which appalled
her mind, unused to contact with grief. Still his delay began to wear
her spirits and expectation, so long wrought up to the meeting; and she
was at least equally restless for the appearance of Robert, wanting to
hear more from him, and above all certain that all her dreary cravings
and vacancy would be appeased by one dialogue with him, on whatever topic
it might be. She wished that she had obeyed that morning bell at St.
Wulstan's. It would have disposed of half-an-hour, and she would have
met him. 'For shame,' quoth the haughty spirit, 'now that has come into
my head, I can't go at all.'

Her solitude continued till half-past ten, when she heard the welcome
sound of Robert's voice, and flew to meet him, but was again checked by
his irresponsive manner as he asked for Owen.

'I have not seen him. I do not know whether to knock, lest he should be
asleep.'

'I hope he is. He has not been in bed for three nights. I will go and
see.'

He was moving to the door without lingering for a word more. She stopped
him by saying, 'Pray hear first what I have settled with Mrs. Murrell.'

'She told me,' said Robert. 'Is it Owen's wish?'

'It ought to be. It must. Every public justice must be paid now.'

'Is it quite well judged, unless it were his strong desire? Have you
considered the feelings of Mr. Prendergast or your relations?'

'There is nothing I consider more. If Charles thinks it more disgraceful
to marry a Christian for love than a Jewess for money, he shall see that
we are not of the same opinion.'

'I never pretend to judge of your motives.'

'Mercy, what h