ers of memory, Marian, are not like
yours. But I was so strongly impressed, so deeply interested, that
nothing of any importance can possibly have escaped me."

"My dear Laura, the merest trifles are of importance where Anne
Catherick is concerned. Think again. Did no chance reference escape
her as to the place in which she is living at the present time?"

"None that I can remember."

"Did she not mention a companion and friend--a woman named Mrs.
Clements?"

"Oh yes! yes! I forgot that. She told me Mrs. Clements wanted sadly to
go with her to the lake and take care of her, and begged and prayed
that she would not venture into this neighbourhood alone."

"Was that all she said about Mrs. Clements?"

"Yes, that was all."

"She told you nothing about the place in which she took refuge after
leaving Todd's Corner?"

"Nothing--I am quite sure."

"Nor where she has lived since? Nor what her illness had been?"

"No, Marian, not a word. Tell me, pray tell me, what you think about
it. I don't know what to think, or what to do next."

"You must do this, my love: You must carefully keep the appointment at
the boat-house to-morrow. It is impossible to say what interests may
not depend on your seeing that woman again. You shall not be left to
yourself a second time. I will follow you at a safe distance. Nobody
shall see me, but I will keep within hearing of your voice, if anything
happens. Anne Catherick has escaped Walter Hartright, and has escaped
you. Whatever happens, she shall not escape ME."

Laura's eyes read mine attentively.

"You believe," she said, "in this secret that my husband is afraid of?
Suppose, Marian, it should only exist after all in Anne Catherick's
fancy? Suppose she only wanted to see me and to speak to me, for the
sake of old remembrances? Her manner was so strange--I almost doubted
her. Would you trust her in other things?"

"I trust nothing, Laura, but my own observation of your husband's
conduct. I judge Anne Catherick's words by his actions, and I believe
there is a secret."

I said no more, and got up to leave the room. Thoughts were troubling
me which I might have told her if we had spoken together longer, and
which it might have been dangerous for her to know. The influence of
the terrible dream from which she had awakened me hung darkly and
heavily over every fresh impression which the progress of her narrative
produced on my mind. I felt the ominous future coming cl