nd last protest. Whether the motive was pride, or
sullenness, or distrust of herself, or despair of doing good, the result
was not to be mistaken--Norah had resolved on remaining passive for the
future.

Later in the afternoon, Mr. Vanstone suggested a drive to his eldest
daughter, as the best remedy for her headache. She readily consented to
accompany her father; who thereupon proposed, as usual, that Magdalen
should join them. Magdalen was nowhere to be found. For the second time
that day she had wandered into the grounds by herself. On this occasion,
Miss Garth--who, after adopting Norah's opinions, had passed from the
one extreme of over-looking Frank altogether, to the other extreme
of believing him capable of planning an elopement at five minutes'
notice--volunteered to set forth immediately, and do her best to
find the missing young lady. After a prolonged absence, she returned
unsuccessful--with the strongest persuasion in her own mind that
Magdalen and Frank had secretly met one another somewhere, but without
having discovered the smallest fragment of evidence to confirm her
suspicions. By this time the carriage was at the door, and Mr. Vanstone
was unwilling to wait any longer. He and Norah drove away together; and
Mrs. Vanstone and Miss Garth sat at home over their work.

In half an hour more, Magdalen composedly walked into the room. She was
pale and depressed. She received Miss Garth's remonstrances with a weary
inattention; explained carelessly that she had been wandering in the
wood; took up some books, and put them down again; sighed impatiently,
and went away upstairs to her own room.

"I think Magdalen is feeling the reaction, after yesterday," said
Mrs. Vanstone, quietly. "It is just as we thought. Now the theatrical
amusements are all over, she is fretting for more."

Here was an opportunity of letting in the light of truth on Mrs.
Vanstone's mind, which was too favorable to be missed. Miss Garth
questioned her conscience, saw her chance, and took it on the spot.

"You forget," she rejoined, "that a certain neighbor of ours is going
away to-morrow. Shall I tell you the truth? Magdalen is fretting over
the departure of Francis Clare."

Mrs. Vanstone looked up from her work with a gentle, smiling surprise.

"Surely not?" she said. "It is natural enough that Frank should be
attracted by Magdalen; but I can't think that Magdalen returns the
feeling. Frank is so very unlike her; so quiet and undemo