year, won for her more and more her husband's love, binding him tightly
and more tightly to her, as time rolled on, till she owned to herself
that, in spite of the stormy past, hers was a life of true happiness--of
happiness greater than usually fell to the lot of mortals. For as time
had softened the grief and despair in Philip Norton's heart, he had
learned to thank Heaven for the blessings that had, after all, fallen to
his share, so that his feeling of friendly affection had gradually grown
into a firm and lasting love for the woman so full of faith in him--a
love that grew stronger as the years glided on.

Weak, and hardly yet recovered, Isa Gernon was, one day, lying sleeping
gently. Sir Murray had paid his morning's visit, and, meeting Dr
Challen there, received another sharp snubbing for evincing a desire to
remove the patient.

"I'll tell you when she may go," said the doctor; "but let me tell you
that you ought to go down upon your knees and thank Mrs Norton for her
motherly care. Like a mother to you, isn't she, my child?" he said,
turning to Isa.

The look of love directed by Isa at Mrs Norton was like gall and
wormwood to Sir Murray, whose dark face grew more black; but he was too
courteous to display his annoyance in his words; and besides, though he
looked upon Mrs Norton as a weak, foolish woman, at heart he retained
for her a profound feeling of respect; for he admired her faith and
constancy under troubles that might have broken another's heart. In
spite of himself, too, he could not help noticing the respect that had
been paid to his feelings, for he knew that the departure of Captain
Norton and his son must have been on account of this unforeseen train of
circumstances. He was glad of this, for he was troubled about Brace,
from feeling an instinctive dread that he might presume to assert
himself as a suitor for Isa's hand.

Matters had gone very unfortunately; but as soon as he could get Isa
home, he determined that Lord Maudlaine should press his suit, and that
the wedding should shortly follow.

Sir Murray felt a confidence in Mrs Norton that was not misplaced, for
hardly once had Brace's name passed her lips till this morning, when
some time after father and doctor had taken their departure, Mrs Norton
entered the room to find Isa sleeping.

She stood watching the sleeper for some few minutes, tracing again the
lineaments of Marion Elstree, when the likeness was completed by the
unclos