ng so heart-rending
as this seemingly annihilation of all the sweet and cherished relations
that had subsisted between herself and the long-absent wanderer. No
wonder, then, that she forgot the place, the time, everything but her
own overwhelming grief; and that, as she stood leaning against the old
tree, her chest heaved with sobs too deep for utterance, and great tears
trickled from her eyes and between the little taper fingers that vainly
sought to hide her disturbed countenance.

She was startled from her position by the sound of a footstep. Hastily
starting forward, without looking in the direction from which it came,
and throwing her veil so as to hide her face, she wiped away her
fast-flowing tears and hastened on, to avoid being observed by any of
the numerous strangers who frequented the grounds at this hour.

Half-blinded, however, by the thick folds of the veil, and her sight
rendered dim by the tears which filled her eyes, she was scarcely
conscious of the unsteady course she was pursuing, when suddenly a loud,
whizzing noise close to her ears frightened and confused her so that she
knew not which way to turn; at the same instant an arm was suddenly
flung round her waist, she was forcibly lifted from her feet as if she
had been a little child, and found herself detained and supported by the
same strong arm, while just in front of her a little hand-car,
containing two persons, was whirling by at full speed. One step more and
she would have reached the track of the miniature railway, and been
exposed to fatal injury from the rapidly-moving vehicle. Flinging back
her veil, she perceived her fortunate escape; and being released from
the firm grasp of her rescuer, she turned upon him a half-confused,
half-grateful face.

Mr. Phillips--for it was he--looked upon her in the most tender and
pitying manner. "Poor child!" said he soothingly, at the same time
drawing her arm through his, "you were very much frightened. Here, sit
down upon this bench," and he would have drawn her towards a seat, but
she shook her head and signified by a movement her wish to proceed
towards the hotel. She could not speak; the kindness of his look and
voice only served to increase her trouble and rob her of the power to
articulate. So he walked on in silence, supporting her with the greatest
care and bestowing upon her many an anxious glance. At last making a
great effort to recover her calmness, she partially succeeded--so much
so tha