Margaret had imagined nothing less than that some of the preferments which her mother had so much desired had befallen her father at last--something that would force him to leave beautiful, beloved Helstone, and perhaps compel him to go and live in some of the stately and silent Closes which Margaret had seen from time to time in Cathedral towns. They were grand and imposing places, but if, to go there, it was necessary to leave Helstone as a home for ever, that would have been a sad, long, lingering pain. But nothing to the shock she received from Mr. Hale's last speech. What could he mean? It was all the worse for being so mysterious. The aspect of piteous distress on his face, almost imploring a merciful and kind judgment from his child, gave her a sudden sickening. Could he have become implicated in anything Frederick had done? Frederick was an outlaw. Had her father, out of a natural love for his son, connived at any--

Margaret had imagined that the preferment which her mother so much desired had befallen her father at last - and would force him to leave beloved Helstone, to perhaps go and live in a stately Cathedral Close. That would have been a lingering pain; but nothing to the shock she received from Mr. Hale's last speech. What could he mean? The distress on his face gave her a sudden sickening. Could he have become implicated in anything Frederick had done? Frederick was an outlaw. Had her father, out of love for his son, connived at any-
