Much as it had been pictured to his thoughts was the scene at home.

Poor Mary! with what trembling anxiety did she wait and hope for her husband's coming, after the usual hour for his return had passed.

Now she sat motionless, gazing on some painful image that was presented to her mind; now she moved about the room from an unquietness of spirit that would not let her be still; and now she bent her ear towards the street, and listened almost breathlessly for the sound of her husband's footsteps.

Thus the time passed from two until three o'clock, the dinner yet unserved.
"Oh, what can keep him away so long ?" How many, many times was this spoken audibly! Now her heart beat with a quick, panting motion, as the thought of some accident to her husband flitted through the mind of Mrs.Wilkinson; now its irregular motion subsided, and it lay almost still, with a heavy pressure; for the fear lest he had again been tempted from the path of sobriety came with its deep and oppressive shadow.
And thus the lingering moments passed.

Three o'clock came, and yet Mr.
Wilkinson was absent.
"I can bear this suspense no longer," said the unhappy wife.