VII LA CORDIFIAMMA
VIII TAKING ROOT
IX "AM I NOT A WOMAN AND A SISTER?"
X THE RECOGNITION
XI THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF AN OLD DEBT
XII A PEER IN TROUBLE
XIII L'HOMME INCOMPRIS
XIV THE DOCTOR AT BAY




TWO YEARS AGO.

INTRODUCTORY.


It may seem a somewhat Irish method of beginning the story of "Two
Years Ago" by a scene which happened but a month since. And yet, will
not the story be on that very account a better type of many a man's
own experiences! How few of us had learnt the meaning of "Two Years
Ago," until this late quiet autumn time; and till Christmas, too, with
its gaps in the old ring of friendly faces, never to be filled up
again on earth, began to teach us somewhat of its lesson.

Two years ago, while pestilence was hovering over us and ours; while
the battle-roar was ringing in our ears; who had time to think, to ask
what all that meant; to seek for the deep lesson which we knew must
lie beneath? Two years ago was the time for work; for men to do with
all their might whatsoever their hands found to do. But now the storm