t, and the
fire was dim, though not extinguished. Gladys passes Mrs Prothero
without awaking her, and stands at Netta's bedside.

She cannot see clearly the face of the sleeping Netta, but such a
restless anxiety about her had haunted her all the night, that she
stoops down to listen to her breathing. It is so faint that she kneels
down, and puts her ear close to the face. So very faint it is, that she
is not quite sure that she hears it at all. She goes into the passage
for the candle, and meets Owen. She signs him to silence, and her pale
face frightens him. He goes with her into Netta's room. Shading the
candle with her hand, she again stoops over Netta, so does Owen.

Very calm, very pale, and most lovely is the face on which they gaze
with an eager, throbbing anxiety. Gladys presses her hand on Owen's arm,
as she puts the candle near that placid face. He, too, puts his ear
close to the half-open mouth, touches the hand that lies on the white
counterpane, feels for the pulse, so quick but yesterday. He is about to
utter the fear that oppresses him, but Gladys points to his mother,
still heavily sleeping.

'Perhaps it is a swoon,' she whispers, and goes for the draught ready
for such an attack. The light of the candle awakes Mrs Prothero, and she
is out of bed in a moment.

'Netta has fainted, mother; she has one of her spasms,' says Owen,
turning his pale face to his mother.

'My God, it is death!' cries the stricken mother, falling on her knees
by the bedside of her child.

And it is death. Without a groan the spirit has quitted its dwelling of
clay to enter upon its eternal rest!

CHAPTER XLIX.

THE RECTOR.

Life and death! What are they? A soul in chains, and a soul set free.
Darkness and light, uncertainty and certainty! Warfare and peace! A
railway journey and the great terminus! A span of time and immeasurable
eternity! A bounded horizon and illimitable space! Earth and heaven!
Satan and Christ! Man and God!

Life! On New Year's morning Glanyravon Farm was gay with preparations
for a wedding. All its inmates were hopeful and cheerful! Two human
beings were made as happy as human beings can be in this world. Three
generations witnessed the auspicious event, and blessings and
congratulations mingled with the marriage bells!

One short week, and Glanyravon Farm was mournful with lamentations for
the dead. All its inmates were weeping. Death's angel had glided in
unawares and unexpected,