on
to invest a legacy of hers in the scheme; I wrote home and implored all
the others to invest in it too. I put all the money I had myself in
it, and then when all was done, and I had broken up Walter's home, I
sat down in complacency and waited for the success that was sure to
follow. I can't tell you when the first doubts of the whole thing
crept into my mind. I only know the last four months have been ones of
torturing suspense and uncertainty. I wonder I have not come home
grey-headed. The crash came six weeks or so ago. Mr. Montmorency,
after ruining himself, my brother, and hundreds of others, decamped,
and has not been heard of since. It was simply a mad speculation set
on foot by a clever man with little capital of his own. Walter is
ruined; he has crept back to his own part of the country, and has to
begin life all over again; his hopes of a married life and a happy home
have been dashed to the ground. Meta's father is so enraged at his
daughter's legacy being lost, that he has forbidden Walter the house,
and his bride as well as his farm has been taken from him. I wonder he
did not curse me, as he came to see me off in the steamer; but his
face--the hopelessness and despair written there--was quite enough for
me. And now I am going back to break to Clare and Elfie that they as
well as myself are absolute beggars. Agatha was the only wise one
amongst us. She refused to trust Mr. Montmorency with one farthing of
her money.'

'Ay, my dear, it's terrible--terrible for you; but loss of money is not
ruin. You have health and strength and youth to sustain you, and
though the cloud has been dark, it will have a silver lining!'

'How can I tell them!' cried Gwen; and her face grew set and hard, as
she stood up, and dashed the tear-drops from her eyelashes. 'They have
no idea I am returning home, or what has happened. I have been to our
lawyer before I came to you, and though he has heard bad reports of Mr.
Montmorency, he has never said a word to them. Do you realize I have
beggared our whole family, Nannie? Poor Clare has had trouble enough
of her own, without this in addition; and Elfie, who has never had a
care or thought, how will she take it? I wish--I wish I were dead!'

'Hush, hush, my dear!' said Nannie, almost sternly. 'That would be a
coward's wish, and you are not that! If you learn the lesson the Lord
would have you learn, you may yet live to find that this big trouble
has been the