."

"My dear, I cannot tell you. It is you yourself who must decide.
Allison, are you strong enough, or patient enough, to think of what may
be before you? Think of living your life--ten--twenty years with a man
like that! Yes, it is said that he is dying, but that is what no one
can really know. And if you go to him now, it must be till death comes
to part you. May God guide you. It is not for me to say what it is
right for you to do." Allison sat silent.

"It is not as though all the blame had been his. I should have stood
firm against him. And his life has been ruined as well as mine--far
more than mine. God has been very good to me. If I were sure of His
will in this thing, I wouldna be afraid."

"But, Allison! Think of your brother."

"Yes, it was of him I thought before, and I did a great wrong."

"Allison, it would be to sacrifice yourself a second time. My dear, at
least take time to think, and to seek counsel. You have been taken by
surprise. In your great pity for this man, you must not let yourself do
what can never be undone."

"No, I have not been taken by surprise. I have been expecting something
to happen ever since I came back again." And then Allison told of her
meeting with Mr Rainy on the street in Aberdeen, and how he had spoken
to her of Brownrig.

"He said nothing of his being hurt or in danger. But what he did say,
has never been out of my thoughts since then. I seem to have been
preparing myself for some great change, all this time. It would be far
easier for me to lose myself out of the sight and knowledge of all who
know me, than it was when I left my home. I was hardly myself then. My
only thought was, how I was to get away. I knew not where I was going.
Yet I believe I was guided here."

Allison spoke with perfect quietness. Mrs Beaton could only look and
listen, astonished, as she went on.

"Yes, I was guided here, and much good has come to me since then. And I
think--I believe, that I wish to follow God's wul in this, whatever it
may be. And I have only you to help me with your counsel."

"You have the minister--and Mrs Hume."

"Yes, I might speak to them--I must speak to them," said Allison, with a
sigh. "I _must_ say something to them. They know nothing of me, except
what they have seen with their own eyes. But I do not think they will
blame me much, when they know all."

Mrs Beaton said nothing. Little had ever been said to her, either by
the