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These starts and frights continued till noon; and when the doctor had

arrived and had seen her, and had talked with Mrs Melbury, he sat down

and meditated That ever-present terror it was indispensable to reht how thisa word to anybody in the house, or to the disquieted

Winterborne waiting in the lane below, Dr Jones went home and wrote to

Mr Melbury at the London address he had obtained froist of his communication was that Mrs Fitzpiers should be assured as

soon as possible that steps were being taken to sever the bond which

was beco a torture to her; that she would soon be free, and was

even then virtually so "If you can say it AT ONCE itmuch harm," he said "Write to herself; not to me"

On Saturday he drove over to Hintock, and assured her with ht expect to receive so came there was a

letter for Grace from her father It arrived at seven o'clock, the

usual tiht

Grace awoke, having slept an hour or two for a wonder, and Mrs Melbury

brought up the letter

"Can you open it yourself?" said she

"Oh yes, yes!" said Grace, with feeble impatience She tore the