tiful woman could not be
the bad, artful, deceitful creature that her husband had been led to
believe and to represent her. And she wondered what mistake it could
possibly have been that had estranged Herman Brudenell from his lovely
wife and left his heart vacant for the reception of another and a most
fatal passion.

"Whatever it may have been, I have nothing to do with it. I pity the
gentle lady, but I cannot accept her bounty for Nora's child," said
Hannah, dismissing the subject from her thoughts and returning to her
work.

In this manner, from one plausible motive or another, was all help
rejected for the orphan boy.

It seemed as if Providence were resolved to cast the infant helpless
upon life, to show the world what a poor boy might make of himself, by
God's blessing on his own unaided efforts!

CHAPTER XVIII.

BERENICE.

Her cheeks grew pale and dim her eye,
Her voice was low, her mirth was stay'd;
Upon her heart there seemed to lie
The darkness of a nameless shade;
She paced the house from room to room,
Her form became a walking gloom.

--_Read_.

It was yet early in the afternoon when Berenice reached Brudenell Hall.

Before going to her own apartments she looked into the drawing room, and
seeing Mrs. Brudenell, inquired:

"Any news of Herman yet, mamma, dear?"

"No, love, not yet. You've had a pleasant drive, Berenice?"

"Very pleasant."

"I thought so; you have more color than when you went. You should go out
every morning, my dear."

"Yes, mamma," said the young lady, hurrying away.

Mrs. Brudenell recalled her.

"Come in here, if you please, my love; I want to have a little
conversation with you."

Berenice threw her bonnet, cloak, and muff upon the hall table and
entered the drawing room.

Mrs. Brudenell was alone; her daughters had not yet come down; she
beckoned her son's wife to take the seat on the sofa by her side.

And when Berenice had complied she said:

"It is of yourself and Herman that I wish to speak to you, my dear."

"Yes, mamma."

The lady hesitated, and then suddenly said:

"It is now nearly a week since my son disappeared; he left his home
abruptly, without explanation, in the dead of night, at the very hour of
your arrival! That was very strange."

"Very strange," echoed the unloved wife.

"What was the meaning of it, Berenice?"

"Indeed, mamma, I do not know."

"What, then, is the cause of his absence?"

"Indeed, inde