Page 264 (1/1)

The same minute sao persons sit down in the rectory-house to share the rector's usually solitary dinner One was a man of official appearance, corove

The discovery of the carefully-concealed letters rankled in the mind of Anne Seaway Her woht to keep all matters connected with his lost wife a secret from herself Perplexity had bred vexation; vexation, resent this resentment and curiosity increased

The steward said very little to his co their luncheon at mid-day He seemed reckless of appearances--almost indifferent to whatever fate awaited hi portentous was i

By carefully observing every trifling action, as only a woth dawned upon her that he was going to run away secretly She feared for herself; her knowledge of law and justice was vague, and she fancied she ht in some way be made responsible for hiain, and she watched him drive away in the direction of the county-town She felt a desire to go there herself, and, after an interval of half-an-hour, followed hi the distance--ostensibly to do so her several trivial errands was to ist's stood the County Bank

Looking out of the shop , between the coloured bottles, she saw Manston co his hand fro his coat close over its mouth

It is an al a bank, to be carefully adjusting their pockets if they have been receivinglaxly The steward had in all likelihood been taking money--possibly on Miss Aldclyffe's account--that was continual with hi his own, as ato leave the country

3 FROM FIVE TO EIGHT O'CLOCK PM

Anne reached hoain in time to preside over preparations for dinner Manston cahted, the shutters were closed, and they sat down together He was pale and worn--alard

The meal passed off in almost unbroken silence When preoccupation withstands the influence of a social meal with one pleasant coly vivid Just as she was rising a tap came to the door