d as he learned to
know and appreciate the young man, he found a thousand noble qualities
to admire under that rugged exterior. And as Elsie softened into gentler
earnestness, and drew closer to him day by day, Tom became so completely
engrossed in his happy love-dream that he had not a single thought
beyond it. In her loneliness and her anxieties which separated her so
completely from those three hearts, Elizabeth Mellen watched, sighed
sometimes, whispering to herself:

"She has taken even Tom from me. I have nothing
left--husband--relative--all, all abandon me for her."

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

A HALF UNDERSTANDING.

Elsie was twenty now, but looking younger from her fragile form and the
extreme delicacy of her complexion. The reader knows how winsome and
playful her manners were; how she was loved and cherished by her
brother, and it seemed hard that a creature like her, so innocent and
winsome, should have even a knowledge of the secret which oppressed
Elizabeth. It seemed to prove more depth of character than one would
have expected, that she was in any way able or willing to help her
sister-in-law to bear her secret burthen, let that burthen be what it
might.

The vague thoughts which had troubled Grantley Mellen on the night of
his arrival, had died out. On calm reflection he could understand that
it was quite in keeping with the restrained intensity of Elizabeth's
nature, that the very violence of the storm should have forced her into
it. That the sudden sound of his voice and step should have brought on
the nervous weakness to which she so seldom gave way, was equally
natural after so much excitement.

Then Elsie came back so blithe and blooming, brought so much sunshine
into the house, and drew them both so much into her amusements, that the
first days of Mellen's return were pleasant indeed.

The weather had been delightful; they enjoyed rides and drives,
moonlight excursions upon the water; there had been visits to receive
and return among neighbors and friends; people had heard of Mellen's
return, and came uninvited from New York, bringing all that festal
bustle and change which puts holidays every now and then into the
ordinary routine of our lives.

The first days passed and still the sky was unclouded. Grantley Mellen
began to think that he was at last to be happy, and grew cheerful with
the thought. So for a time love cast out all fear in the husband's
heart.

There had been no further r