which gave him this feeling, but it was his
knowledge of that awful past in which she had lived, and sinned, and
suffered--that past whose sufferings were perpetuated still, whose
lurid shadows were now projected into these later days of her life.
All this he felt, and he showed it, and he sought earnestly to solve
the problem which these things held out to his mind; but he could not
find a solution, nor could Zillah give one. For her part, it was with
unfeigned horror that she listened to Obed's recital of Mrs. Hart's
sufferings and despair; yet as she listened there came to her mind
the same question which had been asked by Obed, Who is this Windham?
and what is he to her? Could her old devotion as the nurse of Guy
account for this? Or was there some deeper cause? Had she come to
save him from something? Yet from what? From danger? Yet from what
danger?

And thus to each of these alike there came the same problem, yet to
each there came no hope of solution.

CHAPTER LXXV.

DESPAIR.

The time seemed long indeed to Obed and to Zillah, as they sat there
in silence, wondering, bewildered, yet utterly unable to fathom the
deep mystery that lay before them. Half an hour elapsed; and at last
some one crossed the hall and came to the door. It was Lord
Chetwynde. He looked troubled and excited.

"Miss Lorton," said he, "she wants _you_. I don't understand what she
says. It is very strange. She must be out of her senses. Come in, Mr.
Chute. See if you can help me out of my bewilderment."

He offered his arm to Zillah, but she did not take it. It seemed as
if she did not see it. Filled with vague fears and apprehensions, she
walked into the room where Mrs. Hart was, and Lord Chetwynde and Obed
Chute came after her.

Mrs. Hart was lying upon the sofa. As Zillah entered she fixed her
eyes upon her.

"I have been too selfish," said she. "In my joy at finding my boy so
unexpectedly and so wonderfully, I have not been able to speak one
word to my sweet girl. Oh, Zillah, my child, you, I know, will
forgive me. But are you not amazed to see me? Yet I am still more
amazed to see you. How did you come here? How is it that I find you
here--along with my noble friend--in his house? I am all overcome
with wonder. I can not understand this. I do not know what to say, or
where to begin to ask the questions that I wish to ask. Mr. Chute
seems a kind of Providence," she added, with peculiar emphasis in
the faint tones of h