she was called upon so to act. But could Marion feel the
same?

She asked herself that question as the fly drove up to the noble front
of the great mansion; and then, rousing herself for the task in hand,
she prepared to meet her cousin.

"Not at home," was the answer given by the footman to the driver; when
Ada beckoned the man to the fly door--a slow-speaking, insolent menial,
who had, before now, performed Sir Murray's liest in acting the part of
spy.

"I think," said Ada, "that my cousin would see me, even if she is
confined to her room."

"Sir Murray give orders, mum, that they were not at home to visitors
from the Hall; and, besides, my lady ain't in."

Ada Norton felt that it was cowardly, but it was with a sense of relief
that she sank back against the cushions, and began to turn over in her
mind what course she ought to pursue. She dreaded the exciting effect
it might have upon her husband, if she revealed to him the words she had
heard from Jane; and, trembling with an anxiety she could not drive
away, she returned to the Hall, to find that Captain Norton had gone
out.

"Packed a carpet bag, ma'am," said the servant, "and then wrote a note
for you, after sending for Master Brace, and kissing him."

The note was on the table, and snatching it up, Ada Norton read as
follows:--

"Dearest Ada,

"Do not think hardly of me. I could not help myself; but I know you
will not judge me harshly. More when I write again; but _give no
information of my movements to a soul_. I shall be away some time, but
I have made full arrangements with Garland and Son about you. Philip."

Abrupt, enigmatical, and strange; but it was like him. There was a vein
of affection, though, running through it all. He had made arrangements
for her; but the tears dimmed Ada Norton's eyes as she stood with the
letter in her hands. What could it all mean? she thought. Had it
anything to do with the mining transaction? Should she drive over to
Marshton the next day, and ask Messrs. Garland and Son, her husband's
solicitors? No, she would not do that; it would be like prying into his
affairs. She had always had faith in him, so far, and that faith should
continue to the end.

She dashed away the tears heroically, little thinking how soon and how
sorely she was to be tried. It was nothing new for Norton to absent
himself, and she could wait patiently for his return. "Like a good
wife," she said, smilingly; and then, sitting