and as regards position, so
much worse than beggars! A broken world was in truth falling about
their ears, and it was felt to be impossible that they should endure
its convulsions and yet live.

But now the world had fallen, the ruin had come, and they were
already strong in future hopes. They had dared to look at their
chaos, and found that it still contained the elements of order.
There was much still that marred their happiness, and forbade the
joyousness of other days. Their poor father had gone from them in
their misery, and the house was still a house of mourning; and their
mother too, though she bore up so wonderfully against her fate, and
for their sakes hoped and planned and listened to their wishes, was a
stricken woman. That she would never smile again with any heartfelt
joy they were all sure. But, nevertheless, their chaos was conquered,
and there was hope that the fields of life would again show
themselves green and fruitful.

On one subject their mother never spoke to them, nor had even Herbert
dared to speak to her: not a word had been said in that house since
Mr. Prendergast left it as to the future whereabouts or future doings
of that man to whom she had once given her hand at the altar. But
she had ventured to ask by letter a question of Mr. Prendergast. Her
question had been this: What must I do that he may not come to me or
to my children? In answer to this Mr. Prendergast had told her, after
some delay, that he believed she need fear nothing. He had seen the
man, and he thought that he might assure her that she would not be
troubled in that respect.

"It is possible," said Mr. Prendergast, "that he may apply to you by
letter for money. If so, give him no answer whatever, but send his
letters to me."

"And are you all going?" asked Mrs. Townsend of Aunt Letty, with a
lachrymose voice soon after the fate of the family was decided.
They were sitting together with their knees over the fire in Mrs.
Townsend's dining-parlour, in which the perilous state of the country
had been discussed by them for many a pleasant hour together.

"Well, I think we shall; you see, my sister would never be happy
here."

"No, no; the shock and the change would be too great for her. Poor
Lady Fitzgerald! And when is that man coming into the house?"

"What, Owen?"

"Yes! Sir Owen I suppose he is now."

"Well, I don't know; he does not seem to be in any hurry. I believe
that he has said that my sister may continu