CHAPTER XIII.
SUSPENSE.
Roland Sefton did not sleep that night.

As the time drew near for Felicita to act upon his message to her, he grew more desponding of her response to it; yet he could not give up the feeble hope still flickering in his heart.

If she did not come he would be a hopeless outcast indeed; yet if she came, what succor could she bring to him?
He had not once cherished the idea that Mr.Clifford would forbear to prosecute him; yet he knew well that if he could be propitiated, the other men and women who had claims upon him would be easily satisfied and appeased.

But how many things might have happened during the long six months, which had seemed almost an eternity to him.

It was not impossible that Mr.Clifford might be dead.