Say four.' 'Very well,' said Christine, and four candles were lighted.

'Really,' she added, surveying them, 'I have been now so long accustomed to little economies that they look quite extravagant.' 'Ah, you'll soon think nothing of forty in his grand new house! Shall I bring in supper directly he comes, ma'am ?' 'No, not for half an hour; and, Mrs.Wake, you and Betsy are busy in the kitchen, I know; so when he knocks don't disturb yourselves; I can let him in.' She was again left alone, and, as it still wanted some time to Nicholas's appointment, she stood by the fire, looking at herself in the glass over the mantel.

Reflectively raising a lock of her hair just above her temple she uncovered a small scar.

That scar had a history.

The terrible temper of her late husband--those sudden moods of irascibility which had made even his friendly excitements look like anger--had once caused him to set that mark upon her with the bezel of a ring he wore.