She could not help listening to every sound in the opposite room--the falling of a cinder, the stealthy footfall of the watcher moving cautiously about now and then; listening still more intently when all was silent, expecting every moment to hear herself summoned suddenly.

The sick-room and the dark shadow of coming death brought back the thought of that bitter time when her uncle was lying unconscious and speechless in the pretty room at Lidford, with the wintry light shining coldly upon his stony face; while she sat by his pillow, watching him in hopeless silent agony, waiting for that dread change which they had told her was the only change that could come to him on earth.

The scene re-acted itself in her mind to-night, with all the old anguish.

She shut it out at last with a great effort, and began to think of what her grandfather had said to her.
She was to be rich.

She who had been a dependant upon others all her life was to know the security and liberty that must needs go along with wealth.