heights. The carriage drew up at a short distance from the hut, and the
countess alighted and walked to the door. We have seen what a surprise
her arrival caused, and now we must return to the interview between the
wife of Herman and the sister of Nora.




CHAPTER XVII.

THE COUNTESS AND THE CHILD.

With no misgiving thought or doubt
Her fond arms clasped his child about
In the full mantle of her love;
For who so loves the darling flowers
Must love the bloom of human bowers,
The types of brightest things above.
One day--one sunny winter day--
She pressed it to her tender breast;
The sunshine of its head there lay
As pillowed on its native rest.

--_Thomas Buchanan Reed_.

Lady Hurstmonceux and Hannah Worth sat opposite each other in silence.
The lady with her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the floor--Hannah waiting
for the visitor to disclose the object of her visit.

Reuben Gray had retired to the farthest end of the room, in delicate