villains the better?"

So the conversation dropped--dropped as things do drop every day,
under the smooth surface of society, which handles so lightly edged
tools, and treads so gaily upon bomb-shells, with the fuses just taken
out in time.

"I am very tired," said Mrs. Grey, while Dr. Grey was seeing the last of
the visitors to their carriage. "I think I will go at once to my own
room".

"Do so," replied Aunt Maria. "Indeed, it has been a very fatiguing day
for you, and for us all. Go, and I will tell Arnold you are dressing. It
only wants half an hour to dinner."

"I will be ready."

And so she was. But for twenty of the thirty minutes she had lain
motionless on her bed, almost like a dead figure, as passive and as
white. Then she rose, dressed herself, and went down to the formal
meal, and to the somber, safe routine of her present existence, as it
would flow on--and she prayed with all her heart it might--until she
died.




Chapter 5.

_"He stands a-sudden at the door,