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The strain upon Grace's reat on this the

most desolate day she had passed there that she felt it would be

well-nigh impossible to spend another in such circu came at last; the sun, when its chin was on the earth, found an

opening through which to pierce the shade, and stretched irradiated

gauzes across the da splotches of such ruddiness on the leaves beneath the beech

that they were turned to gory hues When night at last arrived, and

with it the time for his return, she was nearly broken doith

suspense

The si meal, partly tea, partly supper, which Grace had

prepared, stood waiting upon the hearth; and yet Giles did not come

It was now nearly twenty-four hours since she had seen hiainst the gloom of the

walls, she was convinced that it would be beyond her staying power to

pass the night without hearing froht

o'clock drew on, and his form at thedid not appear

Thefro e with her hands clasped

over her knees, she crossed the room, unlocked the door, and listened