"I shall wait for Helen, sir, and if you want anything, just rap on the
floor, or call, and I will come up instantly."

"Go to bed--go to bed, child," he said, in his old, rough way, as he
went out into the hall to go up to his room.


[1] Greenmount Cemetery.




CHAPTER XI.

THE MIDNIGHT MESSENGER.

May listened, and heard Mr. Stillinghast moving to and fro in his room
with slow and regular footsteps for a while, then all was silent, and
she supposed he had gone to bed. Still waiting for Helen, she recited
the rosary for his conversion. She knew that all things are possible
with Almighty God, and that dear to him, and precious in his sight, is
the conversion of sinners. She also knew that Jesus Christ ever turns
a propitious ear to the intercession of his Immaculate Mother, and it
was with tender confidence, and earnest faith, that she implored her to
obtain from her Divine Son the conversion of her uncle. At last a
carriage stopped, and May heard Helen's voice at the door conversing
gayly with Walter Jerrold. She wrapped her shawl about her, and went
out to admit her. She sprang into the hall, singing wild thrills from
_Lucia de Lammermoor_, and without stopping, flew to her harp, and ran
her fingers over the strings, preluding brilliantly,