"Yes, Sir, from one of the big servants, as has a big red face, from the Hall." "And it was just after you gave this to her that she became so excited? Now, think, do you remember anything she said ?" "She asked me to take away the child, and looked dreadful wild, as I ain't a woman to mind other people's tempers, though Tam used to try me very hard, as I used to say to him-" "Yes, and then she said to you?” "As I must tell her all I know'd about the people, and then I told her about the weddin', and she screamed a little, as I'm sure I didn't go for to hurt her feelins, and it ain't fair as I should be considered as if I'd drove her out of the house as had treated her as my own sister." The little woman looked tearful again. Armstrong felt that he had the clue now. He said very gently to Mrs. Jannings, "I consider you have behaved in a most admirable manner in this difficulty. And may God, who pities the wretched, abundantly bless you and your hus band for all your goodness to this poor creature. Now I think you had better leave this affair to me, and get to rest, because both you and your husband have duties waiting you to morrow." Magney's night was restless enough. He thought on the terrible decision that now seemed imminent, if he would be sternly conscientious, of giving up the spiritual work to which he had devoted himself. Then he thought on the possibility of Lorisse becoming free from her engagement when she knew that her cousin had stained his life with such a crime; for putting together the circumstance of Helen's coming to this town of Hamerton, and her excitement at the mention of Ronald's marriage, and the report of his former wildness, Armstrong easily concluded that Ronald Mossingford was the man who had cursed poor Helen's life. Now, if this supposition were right, could Lorisse marry Ronald? Would not her love for him utterly vanish? And thenBut perhaps her noble spirit, great enough for any heroism, might lead her to devote herself to Ronald, to help him in his good resolves, for he was changed now, and to complete the work of his elevation. And this would be her right course, surely. When at last he fell asleep, he was frequently startled into wakefulness by hideous dreams. He was preaching in his new church, and was compelled to say right out all his dark doubts in the hearing of the people: with loud curses on his impiety they rushed to the doors, leaving him one solitary hearer, who clapped hands, and danced, grew bigger, gathered distinctness, and turned out to be the devil, who, leaping forwards, caught up the preacher, and bore him struggling away. In a paradise of beauty, the loveliest of women, with deep dreamy eyes, and broad bands of dark hair gathered back from marble temples, and crowned with deep roses, not so lovely as the roses of her cheeks,—held out arms to him, entreatingly; but he found himself slowly drawn away towards a precipice by a line of silk, until he took the final step and plunged over into fathomless gloom. The mysterious darkness enfolded many another weary bewildered brain that night, bringing no visions from God, and giving no place with the morning's dawn to a dawn of hope and good. Yet at length shall not every darkness yield to full day before the power of Him "who turneth the shadow of death into the morning"? 208 Let him CHAPTER XVI. "God made him, and therefore pass QUITE early the next morning Armstrong called at The Pansies, but found that nothing had been seen of the lost woman. Then he went to the printing-office and left an urgent order, and then proceeded straight to Mossingford Hall. He sent in his card to Mr. Ronald Mossingford, begging a brief interview immediately. He was ushered into the library, where Ronald was sitting, apparently examining some papers. Ronald felt singularly uneasy. He had seen nothing of Lorisse since Sunday evening, and feared that the cause of her unexplained indisposition might have some connection with the woman he had |