To the two elder people, who said nothing to each other of their fancy, another presence, shadowy and silent, seemed to take its place among them at the fireside--a fair, serene presence, matronly and gracious, which had passed away from human eyes years ago.

And they paused and thought of her as she had been that winter night when she took the fugitive mother and child into her kindly home, and gave them all her womanly pity and help.

What lonely years had passed here since then! By some instinctive sympathy their eyes met, and each knew what the other's thoughts had been.

Mr.Strafford rose.
"To-morrow," he said, "we shall have time for a long chat; to-night you must be tired.

I hope Mrs.Hall has done what she could to make you comfortable." There could be no doubt about that.