formerly."

"No; I don't remember," she replied quickly. "But you know I had a good
deal of care and responsibility during your absence; it may be that
which has shaken me a little."

"Do you believe it?" he asked, in a constrained voice.

She shot one glance of indignant pride at him; for an instant she looked
inclined to leave the room, as had frequently been her habit during the
first months of their marriage, when he irritated her beyond endurance.

But if Elizabeth had the inclination she controlled it. After a moment's
silence she laid down her work and approached the sofa where he was
lying.

"Don't be severe with me, Grantley," she said, with a degree of humility
unknown to the past; "my head aches drearily--I don't think I am well."

His feelings changed as he looked at her; she was not well; he could see
the traces of pain in the languid eyes and the contracted forehead, but
whether the suffering was mental or physical even a physiognomist could
not have told.

He reached out his hand and drew her towards him; she sat down on the
sofa and leaned her head against his shoulder with a little sigh of
weariness.

"I can rest here," she whispered; "it is my place, isn't it, Grantley?"

There was tender, almost childish pleading in her voice; he lifted her
face, looked into her eyes and saw tears there.

"What is it, Bessie?" he asked. "Have I hurt you?"

The recollection of all the doubts and suspicious thoughts which had
been in his mind came back, and forgetful of his idea that some recent
anxiety made the change in her manner, he reproached himself with having
brought a cloud between them by his own actions.

"Have I pained you in anything, Bessie?" he repeated.

"I feared the old trouble was coming back," she whispered.

"No, no; it must not, it shall not, Bessie! I am to blame--but if you
knew what this wretched disposition makes me suffer! Every heart I
trusted in my early life deceived me. I have only you left now--you and
Elsie."

Perhaps it was natural that she should feel a little wifely jealousy at
having his sister forced in, even to their closest confidence; her face
was overclouded for an instant, but she subdued the feeling and said,
kindly:

"I know what you have suffered, dear; I can understand the effect it has
had upon your character--but you may trust me--indeed you may."

"I know that, dear wife; I believe that!"

He drew her closer to him; for a few moments she sat with he