ecked her sobs again, and caught at the hope with which she had
sustained herself all day.

"This is the last of it," she said; "this night once safely over, and
there is an end."

"One way or the other," muttered Elizabeth.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing--nothing."

It was worse than useless, to agitate the girl's weakness afresh with
fears that lay so deep in her own mind. Whichever way the end came,
Elsie was safe. Was the creature thinking that as she shut her eyes and
leaned more closely against her sister?

"Yes, it will be all safe then," she went on. "The money is paid; we
shall have the papers; there is nothing more to fear."

Elizabeth did not answer; she allowed her to think that the danger from
that quarter was removed. It could do no good to fill her mind with
added fears.

"There is the wind again!" cried Elsie. "Oh, if it would only stop!"

The sound recalled all that lay in the coming hours, and she was
unnerved again.

"You are not frightened, are you, Bessie?" she asked.

"I suppose not; there is nothing to fear."

"To be alone with him and--and--Oh, I ought to go with you; I'll
try--I'll try."

At that late hour some remorse woke in her mind for her unsisterly
selfishness, but Elizabeth said very kindly:

"You will stay here; you could do no good."

"But I shall go mad while you are gone."

"You must get into bed again."

"How long shall you be away?"

"I can't tell. Stop--don't talk about it. I shall go through with it
all; let me alone till then."

Elsie writhed to and fro in hysterical weakness.

"You must be quiet," Elizabeth said. "Suppose he should hear you?"

"Grant? Oh, I'll be still--I'll be still as death."

"What time is it?" Elsie asked again.

"Almost twelve; the clock will strike in a moment."

"How much longer shall you wait?" asked the girl in a whisper. "Did he
answer your telegram?"

"I did not expect that he would, there was too much danger in it. But
hush, I must discover if he is asleep."

"Grantley?"

"Yes."

"What was that noise?" Elizabeth exclaimed suddenly.

"I heard nothing," Elsie answered, lifting her head and allowing it to
fall again on her sister's knee.

"It sounded like a step in the hall," said Elizabeth.

"It was only your fancy," returned Elsie. "This house is as still as the
grave."

Elizabeth rose from her chair and walked to the window.

"You are not going?" cried Elsie.

"No; I only want to look. Be still!"

Elsi