"Ah, sir, I am so glad you have come back," she said, quickly, " I thought you never would come. This has been such a long, terrible da y-" • 11 T " Why ! Your mistress is well, 1 hope. Why is the house in dark ness ? What has happened !" he asked, quickly. "Mrs Angus is not well, sir. She has been very ill since yester day. I think she has had some bad news or something. It is a terrible trouble, any way," said Kitty, anxious to prepare her master for the change in his wife. " Where is she ?" he asked briefly. "In her dressing-room, sir. _ I think she expected you about nine to-night. Robert Angus did not hear the latter part of the girl's sentence, being already half way upstairs. The door of the dressing-room was a little ajar, and a broad line of light shed by the glowing fire was oast upon the crimson carpet on the landing. It's velvet pile deadened his footfall, and he reached the door without disturbing the in mate of the room. He saw the recumbent figure, the dark hair lying loosely over the white dress ing-gown, but he could not see the face ! He entered the room, closed

the door, and his wife sprang up. "My darling !my darling ! Has the blow fallen already ? Am I spared the pain from which, God help me, I have shrunk too long 1" he cried, hoarsely, and gathered her in his arms as if he would never let

her go again. For a minute or so she lay still in his arms with her white face drooped upon his breast, so still that he was afraid. " Speak to me, Joan. My wife, my darling!" he said, almost wildly, " Let me see your face. Wliat is it has happened to you 1 Have you found out what has made the past few weeks one prolonged agony to me V'

"Kiss me, Robert, only once," she said, in a low, still voice, and raised her colourless lips to his. He kissed her not once, but again and yet again, calling her by every endearing name, until at length she drew herself very gently aivay. " Let me go now," she said, very quietly. 