I was hunting for her without rest for nearly a week; and then they told me she was drowned, that there was no hope of finding her.

Was that real, Gilbert?
or only a part of my delirium?
Speak to me, for pity's sake.

Was it real ?" "Yes, John; your perplexity and trouble were real, but unnecessary; your wife is safe." "Safe?
Where ?" "She is with her father." "She did not even know that her father was living." "No, not till very lately.

He has come home from America, it seems, and Marian is now under his protection." "What! she could desert me without a word of warning--without the faintest hint of her intention--to go to a father of whom she knew nothing, or nothing that was not eminently to his discredit!" "There may have been some strong influence brought to bear to induce her to take such a step." "What influence ?" "Do not worry yourself about that now; make all haste to get well, and then it will be easy for you to win her back." "Yes; only place me face to face with her, and I do not think there would be much question as to that.

But that she should forsake me of her own free will! It is so unlike my Marian--my patient, long-suffering Marian; I can scarcely believe such a thing possible.