Here Mark stopped again; but the tenderly uttered "Come," and the tearful glance of Jenny, effectually controlled the promptings of an unbroken will.

Together, in a few minutes afterwards, they approached the house and entered.
"Where is Mr.Lofton ?" asked Jenny of a servant who met them in the great hall.
"He's been very ill," replied the servant.
"Ill!" Jenny became pale.
"Yes, very ill.

But he is better now." "Where is he ?" "In his own chamber." For a moment Jenny hesitated whether to go up alone, or in company with Mark.

She would have preferred going alone; but fearing that, if she parted even thus briefly from Mark, her strong influence over him, by means of which she had brought him, almost as a struggling prisoner, thus far, would be weakened, and be tempted to turn from the house, she resolved to venture upon the experiment of entering Mr.Lofton's sick chamber, in company with his grandson.
"Is he sitting up ?" she asked of the servant.
"He's been sitting up a good deal to-day, but is lying down now." "He's much better ?" "Oh, yes!" "Come," said Jenny, turning to Mark, and moving towards the stairway.

Mark followed passively.