completely broken? Am I as entirely parted from the good and evil
fortune of his life as if we had never met and never loved? What do
you think, Henry? I can hardly believe it.'

'If you could bring the retribution on him that he has deserved,'
Henry Westwick answered sternly, 'I might be inclined to agree
with you.'

As that reply passed his lips, the old nurse appeared again at the door,
announcing another visitor.

'I'm sorry to disturb you, my dear. But here is little Mrs. Ferrari
wanting to know when she may say a few words to you.'

Agnes turned to Henry, before she replied. 'You remember
Emily Bidwell, my favourite pupil years ago at the village school,
and afterwards my maid? She left me, to marry an Italian courier,
named Ferrari--and I am afraid it has not turned out very well.
Do you mind my having her in here for a minute or two?'

Henry rose to take his leave. 'I should be glad to see Emily again
at any other time,' he said. 'But it is best that I should go now.
My mind is disturbed, Agnes; I might say things to you, if I
stayed here any longer, which--which are better not said now.
I shall cross the Channel by the mail to-night, and see
how a few weeks' change will help me.' He took her hand.
'Is there anything in the world that I can do for you?' he asked
very earnestly. She thanked him, and tried to release her hand.
He held it with a tremulous lingering grasp. 'God bless you, Agnes!'
he said in faltering tones, with his eyes on the ground.