A DREARY VIGIL Through the dark rain, against the cold wind, shaken over the rough stones, went Hester in the little tax-cart.

Her heart kept rising against her fate; the hot tears came unbidden to her eyes.

But rebellious heart was soothed, and hot tears were sent back to their source before the time came for her alighting.
The driver turned his horse in the narrow lane, and shouted after her an injunction to make haste as, with her head bent low, she struggled down to the path to Haytersbank Farm.

She saw the light in the window from the top of the brow, and involuntarily she slackened her pace.

She had never seen Bell Robson, and would Sylvia recollect her?
If she did not how awkward it would be to give the explanation of who she was, and what her errand was, and why she was sent.
Nevertheless, it must be done; so on she went, and standing within the little porch, she knocked faintly at the door; but in the bluster of the elements the sound was lost.