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236 “No!” replied she, startled and trembling, she hardly knew why.

“No more has Miss Monro heard from you; nor, I believe, has some one else who expected to hear. Your man of business—I forget his name.”

“My man of business! Something has gone wrong, Mr. Livingstone. Tell me—I want to know. I have been expecting it—only tell me.” She sat down suddenly, as white as ashes.

“Dear Miss Wilkins, I’m afraid it is painful enough, but you are fancying it worse than it is. All your friends are quite well; but an old servant”

“Well!” she said, seeing his hesitation, and leaning forwards and griping at his arm.

“Is taken up on a charge of manslaughter or murder.—Oh! Mrs. Forbes, come here!”

For Ellinor had fainted, falling forwards on the arm she had held. When she came round she was lying half-undressed on her bed; they were giving her tea in spoonfuls.

“I must get up,” she moaned. “I must go home.”

“You must lie still,” said Mrs. Forbes, firmly.

“You don’t know. I must go home,” she repeated; and she tried to sit up, but fell back helpless. Then she did not speak, but lay and thought. “Will