never trod that path since the night of his death, though in my
dreams I constantly revisited the spot, and enacted the revolting scene
in all its terrible details. But there was no avoiding it now. I felt as
if every eye was upon me, and I stooped to caress the dogs, in order to
conceal the agitation that trembled through my frame.

Just as we drew near the gate, Sir Walter fired at a partridge, which
fell among the long fern just at my side.

"Hullo, Noah! pick up that bird. 'Tis a splendid cock," cried Sir
Walter.

I parted the fern with trembling hands to do his bidding. The bird lay
dead on the very stone over which my unhappy father's life-blood had
gushed! I saw the fresh, warm drops that had flowed from the breast of
the bird, but, beneath was a darker stain. I tried in vain to lift the
creature from the ground. Before me lay the bleeding, prostrate form of
Mr. Carlos, with the tender reproach gleaming in his eyes through the
deepening mists of death. My senses reeled--I saw no more--I sank down
in a fit,--the first of those dreadful epileptic fits which have since
been of such constant recurrence.

When I recovered, Sir Walter was supporting me; and Mrs. Manners, who
had followed her husband to the field, was fanning me with a small
branch of sycamore leaves.

"He's coming to," she said, in a gentle voice. "Why, Noah,"--addressing
herself to me--"what ails you?--Were you ever in this way before?"

I answered very faintly, "No; but that I had not been well for some time
past. When I stooped to lift the bird, every object seemed to turn round
with me, and looked first red and then black: and I remembered nothing
more."

"You must be bled, Noah," said Sir Walter, kindly; "this is a clear case
of blood to the head. Go home, and I will send Dr. Pinnock to see you as
I return to the Hall."

"I am better now," I replied, glancing towards Mrs. Manners, who was
regarding me with looks of interest and compassion. "To tell you the
truth, Sir Walter, I have not felt like myself since Mr. Carlos was
killed. It gave me a dreadful shock. It was on this very spot that he
was murdered. That stone is stained with his blood. When I saw it just
now, it brought the whole scene so vividly before me, that it made me
ill."

"No wonder," said Ella, thoughtfully. "My poor dear uncle! He was the
best-hearted man in the world; and was so fond of you, Noah."

"He had a good right to be," returned Sir Walter. "You are not perhap