neither, I trust, shall you be the
last. This I say, of course, to encourage you, because I see that
the step you have taken has affected you very much, as is natural it
should."

A low moan, apparently of great pain, was the only reply Henderson
received to this eloquent effort at consolation. The carriage again
rolled onward in silence, and nothing could be heard but the sweep
of the storm without--for it blew violently--and deep breathings, or
occasional moanings, from his companion within. They drove, it might be,
for a quarter of an hour, in this way, when Henderson felt his companion
start, and the next moment her hand was placed upon his arm.

"Ha! ha! my dearest," thought he, "I knew, notwithstanding all your
beautiful startings and fencings, that matters would come to this. There
is nothing, after all, like leaving you to yourselves a little, and you
are sure to come round. My dear Miss Sullivan," he added, aloud, "be
composed--say but what it is you wish, and if a man can accomplish it,
it must be complied with, or procured for you."

"Then," said she, "if you are a human being, let me know when we come to
the Grey Stone."

"Undoubtedly, I shall. The grim old Prophet promised to meet us
there--and, for a reason I have, I know he will keep his word. We shall
be there in less than a quarter of an hour. But, my precious creature,
now that you understand how we are placed with relation to each other, I
think you might not, and ought not, object to allowing me to support you
after the fatigue and agitation of the night--hem! Do repose your head
upon my bosom, like a pretty, trembling, agitated dear, as you are."

"Hould away!" exclaimed his companion; "don't dare to lay a hand upon
me. If your life is worth anything--an' it's not worth much--keep your
distance. You'll find your mistake soon. I didn't put myself in your
power without the manes of defendin' myself an' punishin' you, if you
should desarve it."

"Beautiful caprice! But, my dearest girl, I can understand it all--it
is well done; and I know, besides, that a little hysterics will be
necessary in their proper place; but for that you must wait till we get
to our destination; and then you will be most charmingly affected with
a fit--a delightful, sweet, soft, sobbing fit--which will render it
necessary for me to soothe and console you; to wipe your lovely eyes;
and then, you know, to kiss your delicious lips. All this, my darling
girl, will happen as