. But she awoke in the midnight with a strange sense of humiliation.
In that time of questions she was troubled by soul-inquiries that came
one upon another close as the blows of a lash. She was then shocked
at the intentions with which she had fallen asleep. The little
vanities, and condescensions, and generosities which she had planned for
her own glory--how contemptible they appeared! And in the darkness she
could see their certain end--envy and hatred for herself and
dissatisfaction and loss of friends for her father and mother. Had
she not already given them sorrow enough?

Her right course was then clear as a band of light. She would
deposit the money at interest in a London bank. She would say nothing
at all about its possession. Before leaving for St. Penfer she would
buy a couple of printed gowns, such as would not be incongruous with
her surroundings. She would go back to her home and village as
empty-handed as she left them--a beggar, even, for a little love
and sympathy, for toleration for her wanderings, for forgiveness
for those deeds by which she had wounded the consciences and
self-respect of her own people and her own caste.

This determination awoke with her in the morning, and she followed it
out literally. The presents she had resolved to buy in order to get
herself a little favour were put out of consideration. She purchased
only a few plain garments for her own every-day wearing. She left her
money with strangers who attached no importance to it; and, with one
small American trunk holding easily all her possessions, she turned
her face once more to the little fishing village of St. Penfer by the
Sea.

CHAPTER XV.

ONLY FRIENDS.

"Stay at home, my heart, and rest,
Home-keeping hearts are happiest;
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care--
To stay at home is best."
--SONG.

"... Those first affections,
Those shadowy recollections,
Which be they what they may,
Are yet the fountain-light of all our day;
Are yet a master-sight of all our seeing."
--WORDSWORTH.

Only those who have experienced the sensation can tell how strange and
sad is the feeling with which the soul turns away from a destiny
accomplished. When Denas had deposited her money in the Clydesdale
Bank and made the few purchases she thought proper and prudent, she
felt that one room of t