First the letters, a score or two, and then the papers, matters of less account, but still snatched eagerly by those who could get nothing better.

There was a paper for Mrs.More-house, and Mrs.Stone, and Mrs.Wilson, and Mrs.Turner, while Mr.Danforth had half a dozen or less, and then Perry paused a moment over a new name--one which had never before been called in the parlor at Clifton: "Richard Markham, Esq." The name rang out loud and clear, and Ethie grasped the pillar tightly to keep herself from falling.

She did not hear Mr.Danforth explaining that it was "Governor Markham from Iowa, who came the night before." She did not know, either, how she left the parlor, for the next thing of which she was perfectly conscious was the fact that she was hurrying up the stairs and through the unfinished halls toward her own room, casting frightened glances around, and almost shrieking with excitement when through the open door of No.

102 she heard Dr.Hayes speaking to someone, and in the voice which answered recognized her husband.
He was there, then, next to her, separated by only a thin partition--the husband whom she had not seen for five long years, whom she had voluntarily left, resolving never to go back to him again, was there, where, just by crossing a single threshold, she could fall at his feet and sue for the forgiveness she had made up her mind to crave should she ever see him again.

Dr.Hayes' next call was upon her, and he found her fainting upon the floor, where she had fallen in the excitement of the shock she had experienced.
"It was a headache," she said, when questioned as to the cause of the sudden attack; but her eyes had in them a frightened, startled look, for which the doctor could not account.
There was something about her case which puzzled and perplexed him.