illuminated even the weathercock aloft, it shone upon the portico, and upon one who appeared in it. Stealing to the portic

house, where so much evil had already fallen? Was it a supernatural visitant, or was it but a delusion of her own eyesight? Not the latter, certainly, for the figure was now emerging again, motioning to her as befo

she asked, under her bre

pered, eager answer, "d

oth. She penetrated the trees, and burst into tears as one in the dress of a farm laborer caught her in his arms. In s

have you come from?

e, Barbara?" wa

you, and even that made me sick with terror. How could you run such a risk as to come here?" s

urned Richard Hare. "I

uld mamma see you it w

he answered, gloomily. "I have b

" interrupt

and now I have an opportunity of doing better, if I can get a little money

ou working

stable

ttered, in a deeply sh

ministers-or that I was a gentleman at large, living on my fortune?" retorted Richard Hare, in a tone of

ing over it. "Oh, what a miserable night's work that was! Our only co

mmit it at al

she ex

that from my own positive knowledge, my eyesight, I know no more who did it than you. The guessing

. It was a shivering subject. "You surely

nothing to do with it. He was after his gins and

no poache

me out, some time. Not that I wish it to come out; the man has done no harm to me, an

entertains one fixed idea, which she cannot put from her. She

ong. Why should

he is, and since that dreadful night she is always having what she calls 'dreams'-meaning that she dreams of the murder. In all t

no more mixed u

ay that yo

the time; I swear it to you. The

bara, lifting her h

id; I wish I could unearth hi

er neck with a haugh

ha

lf when you mentio

; and to assert my innocence can do no good; it cannot set aside the coroner's verdict of '

' I think the woman did it heedlessly, not maliciously, to provoke papa; she was a good servant, and had been with us three years you know. The first time she transgressed, papa warned her; the second, he thundered at her as I believe nobody else i

h? He tak

gistrates, that if he could find you he would deliver you up to justice, and that he would do it, though you might not turn up for ten yea

ndulge me, ought that to have been a reason for his ridiculing me on every possible occasion, public and private? Had my home b

ore she spoke. "I do not s

to me as you have done

d Barbara in an alarmed tone. "Papa may be in at an

nths, and to go back without seeing her," returned Richard.

I am not so sure about your seeing mamma. I am terrified for your safety. But, if it is

t me; and Thorn, did I mention him, would be as a

said Barbara,

" retorted Richard. "

s to Archibald Carlyle? If any one can help you, or take measures to es

with the secret that I am here, except Carlyl

ainty has nearly killed mamma. A report arose that you had been seen at Liverp

d my way to London, a

in a stab

erstand horses. Besides, a man that the police-runners were after could

nd upon her brother's mouth. "Be silent fo

d on; the former came in. The brother and sister cowered together, scarcely daring to breathe; y

re not stay another minute. Be here again to-morro

ra, we are here alone in the still night, with God above us; as truly as that you and I must sometime meet Him

but Mr. Hare was already in, locking and barr

usting forth his flaxen wig, his aquiline

you out at this time

," she panted, "and had-had-strolled ove

nd habit; but in such a cause, h

pa," she said,

bed an hour ago," angrily