ng out of the grounds."

"I don't think that he is a hard-hearted man," I remarked. "I have seen
a kindly look in his eyes, for all his stern face."

"He can be the kindest of fathers," she answered. "But he is terrible
when opposed or thwarted. You have never seen him so, and I trust you
never will. It was that strength of will and impatience of opposition
which made him such a splendid officer. I assure you that in India every
one thought a great deal of him. The soldiers were afraid of him, but
they would have followed him anywhere."

"And had he these nervous attacks then?"

"Occasionally, but not nearly so acutely. He seems to think that the
danger--whatever it may be--becomes more imminent every year. Oh, John,
it is terrible to be waiting like this with a sword over our heads--and
all the more terrible to me since I have no idea where the blow is to
come from."

"Dear Gabriel," I said, taking her hand and drawing her to my side,
"look over all this pleasant countryside and the broad blue sea. Is it
not all peaceful and beautiful? In these cottages, with their red-tiled
roofs peeping out from the grey moor, there live none but simple,
God-fearing men, who toil hard at their crafts and bear enmity to no
man. Within seven miles of us is a large town, with every civilised
appliance for the preservation of order. Ten miles farther there is
a garrison quartered, and a telegram would at any time bring down a
company of soldiers. Now, I ask you, dear, in the name of common-sense,
what conceivable danger could threaten you in this secluded
neighbourhood, with the means of help so near? You assure me that the
peril is not connected with your father's health?"

"No, I am sure of that. It is true that Dr. Easterling, of Stranraer.
has been over to see him once or twice, but that was merely for some
small indisposition. I can assure you that the danger is not to be
looked for in that direction."

"Then I can assure you," said I, laughing, "that there is no danger
at all. It must be some strange monomania or hallucination. No other
hypothesis will cover the facts."

"Would my father's monomania account for the fact of my brother's hair
turning grey and my mother wasting away to a mere shadow?"

"Undoubtedly," I answered, "The long continued worry of the general's
restlessness and irritability would produce those effects on sensitive
natures."

"No, no!" said she, shaking her head sadly, "I have been exposed to his