have slandered my wife, her I love more than my life; you shall either say you have lied falsely, or you shall make good your words.” "Shall I begin at the beginning? Do you want to know all ?" 66 Begin, and make an end quickly.” And she did begin, even from the time when Amy had fainted, that memorable night, unto where Charles Linchmore had told her he had met Amy on her wedding day; and as she went on he buried his face in his hands, while his whole frame shook and trembled like an aspen. "Girl, have some mercy!" he cried But she had none; no pity. Was not this woman his wife; and had she shown pity. So she never stayed her words, never softened them, she gave him what appeared the hard, stern, agonising truth, and he groaned with very anguish as she spoke. "Is that all ?" he asked at last. I 5 "All." "And you will swear it. Swear it!" he cried hoarsely. "I will. But you need not believe me. Ask your wife? See what she says." He moved his hands from his face. It looked as though years had swept over it. "You have broken my heart," he said, in a quivering voice. And then he left her. Amy had gone to her room, sad and thoughtful, with the feeling, at last, that her husband doubted her love; and yet, she did love him better than she ever thought she should. As she turned his words over in her mind, she determined on delaying no longer; but now, at once, tell him all. She dreaded his anger and sorrowful look; but that, anything was better than the loss of his love. So she sat and listened, and awaited his coming. But he came not. The luncheon bell rang, and she went downstairs wondering at his absence. "I am sorry to say Mr. Linchmore has heard some bad news, Mrs. Vavasour,” said Mrs. Linch more. "My husband! Where is he?"-exclaimed Amy, panic stricken. “It has nothing to do with him,” replied Mr. Linchmore, "my brother has, unfortunately, been wounded." And he looked somewhat sur prised at her sudden fright. Then Amy was glad Robert was absent. "I am sorry," she faltered. "I hope it is not serious ;" and her pale face paled whiter than before. "No, I trust not. He has been out with General Chamberlain's force." "He was very foolish to go to India at all," said Mr. Linchmore. "I dare say he would have had plenty of opportunities of winning laurels elsewhere; but he always was so impetuous,here to-day and gone to-morrow." Then the conversation turned upon other subjects, and still Robert came not. Just as they rose from the table Frances came in. "Have you seen Mr. Vavasour ?" asked Amy. "No. Has he not been in to luncheon? I thought I was late." Amy passed on up to her room again, and for a short time sat quietly by the fire, as she had done before; then, as the hours crept on, she rose and went to the window. The sun sank slowly, twilight came on, and the shadows of evening grew darker still; Amy could scarcely see the long avenue now, or the tall dark trees overshadowing it; and still she was alone. Then the door opened; but it was not her husband-it was Hannah, who stood looking at her with grave face. "If you please, Ma'am, I don't think Master Bertie is well. There is nothing to be frightened about; but he has been hot and feverish ever since he came home from his walk." Whispering tongues can poison truth, Doth work like madness in the brain." COLERIDGE. My thoughts acquit you for dishonouring me SHIRLEY. ROBERT came back at last, and years seemed to have swept over his head and gathered round his heart, since only a few hours before he had stood in his wife's room. But he looked for her in vain, she was not there, but away in the nursery, hushing, with tearful eyes and frightened heart, poor sick Bertie in her arms to sleep. Robert |