CHAPTER VIII.
FRIEND after friend departs; Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts That finds not here an end .-- J.

MONTGOMERY.
THAT night Mrs.Leslie sought Lady Vargrave in her own room.

As she entered gently she observed that, late as the hour was, Lady Vargrave was stationed by the open window, and seemed intently gazing on the scene below.

Mrs.Leslie reached her side unperceived.

The moonlight was exceedingly bright; and just beyond the garden, from which it was separated but by a slight fence, lay the solitary churchyard of the hamlet, with the slender spire of the holy edifice rising high and tapering into the shining air.