uncle Silas; and it was made up, rather oddly, on the very occasion which
some people said ought to have totally separated them. Did you ever hear
anything--anything _very_ remarkable--about your uncle?'

'No, never, they would not tell me, though I am sure they know. Pray go
on.'

'Well, Maud, as I have begun, I'll complete the story, though perhaps it
might have been better untold. It was something rather shocking--indeed,
_very_ shocking; in fact, they insisted on suspecting him of having
committed a murder.'

I stared at my cousin for some time, and then at the little boy, so
refined, so beautiful, so _funeste_, in the oval frame.

'Yes, dear,' said she, her eyes following mine; 'who'd have supposed he
could ever have--have fallen under so horrible a suspicion?'

'The wretches! Of course, Uncle Silas--of course, he's innocent?' I said at
last.

'Of course, my dear,' said Cousin Monica, with an odd look; 'but you know
there are some things as bad almost to be suspected of as to have done, and
the country gentlemen chose to suspect him. They did not like him, you
see. His politics vexed them; and he resented their treatment of his
wife--though I really think, poor Silas, he did not care a pin about
her--and he annoyed them whenever he could. Your papa, you know, is very
proud of his family--_he_ never had the slightest suspicion of your uncle.'

'Oh no!' I cried vehemently.