Street after street she passed: no Stephen.

A sort of indignant grief swelled up in Mercy's bosom; she was indignant with herself, with him, with circumstances, with everybody; she was unreasoning and unreasonable; she longed so to see Stephen's face that she could not think clearly of any thing else.

And yet she was ashamed of this longing.

All these struggling emotions together were too much for her; tears came into her eyes; then vexation at the tears made them come all the faster; and, for the first time in her life, Mercy Philbrick pulled her veil over her face to hide that she was crying.

Almost in the very moment that she had done this, she heard a quick step behind her, and Stephen's voice calling,-- "Oh, Mrs.Philbrick! Mrs.Philbrick! do not walk so fast.