inexperienced, and, unfortunately, has no one to counsel her rightly. She is entering on a state, the solemn responsibilities of which I tremble lest she should not have duly considered. Somehow I am no longer in her confidence. I dare say that is natural in her present position; but yet when I reflect that, possibly, she may need advice, may crave for sympathy, or to confide in some one more worthy than those who surround her, I long to afford her such an opportunity. I come to you, Jane, as my truest friend, and hers alsoas the only person who can understand what I feel-and I ask you earnestly, whether it is impossible for you to see her before her marriage?'

Jane looked at him, and saw all he hesitated to speak. 'I must go to her, I suppose, and that to-morrow. I ought not to leave him, but surely, in such a case, I would be justified. Yes, Mordaunt, I will go.'

You will un

'Thank you, thank you! speakably relieve me. But do not, I pray you,

speak of me; I would not cross her happiness for a kingdom.'

Jane did not perfectly comprehend. There was something in her mind which rather

dimmed her perception of his meaning—some old fancies and recollections; but they did not bias her wish to do right. She only feared he might confide in her too much.

'I think this is all you desire, that I should see her, and show her my earnest sympathy and desire to serve her; so that we may, in any case, be assured that she did not feel she was without a friend who would support her, and aid in any trial, however severe. Mordaunt, I doubt if I can do more.'

'That is all I ask.'

And if - if I find that friend is needed, you may rely upon me to fulfil the duty.' 'I know it, Jane, and I will give up everything to save her too.'

Jane's face was deadly pale, and tears, which she could not shed for herself, started forth at the sudden idea of the possibility of such anguish and error impending over one who had lain in her arms an innocent child. She dared not ascertain the also possible misery to Mordaunt involved in Eve's marriage.

But nothing

They were

more was said upon the subject. already at the house, and there was Mr. Carisbroke to be seen, and many other topics to be discussed. After lunch, Mordaunt returned

home, bearing with him the remembrance of Jane's sad face, as she stood at the door and

watched his departure. He could not guess how hard was the task he had assigned to her -how her weak woman's heart recoiled from it-and yet how devotedly she wrestled for strength to go forth to it.

CHAPTER IX.

On thy lap

Lay I this head, laden with mickle care:
O might I never ope these eyes again,
Never again lift up this drooping head,
O, never more lift up this dying heart!

MARLOWE.

THE afternoon was far advanced before Jane

thought the invalid sufficiently comfortable to dispense with her presence. Then leaving him with Mr. Howard, she stepped for the first time for some months into her phaeton, and drove forth on her unpleasant errand. Something in the day, the road, the tread of the horses, brought to mind the time when she had driven Eve back to Lime-tree Cottagethat day when she had first seen Sir Mark. And as she thought of it, involuntarily her whiplash fell across the backs of her astonished horses, and they flew forward more eagerly to their goal.

She arrived, sprang out, entered without question to the servant, and found herself in

the room with Mrs. Cuthbert and Laura, whom she had not seen since her marriage, and who rose with a flushed face, scarcely knowing how to greet her. Mrs. Cuthbert's surprise was more obvious than her pleasure, but she professed extravagant delight, and assailed her with anxious inquiries after Mr. Carisbroke.

'I ought scarcely to have left him,' Jane replied, and have but a few minutes to spare. But I felt I must come to see Eve, once more, as Eve Cuthbert.'

Laura, love, tell your sister.'

'She knows I am here,' Jane interposed. 'I saw her at her window; and as I have not an instant to lose, excuse my going straight up to her room. I want to see her. Don't let me interrupt you; you are very busy.' And before there was time for objection or comment, she was upstairs and at Eve's door.

Mrs. Cuthbert clenched her hand in impotent despair; but Jane was not a person to fail in carrying her point.

'Very indelicate, I am sure, to intrude on a girl like Eve at such a time!'

Perhaps Jane felt it seemed so, for her hand shook as she raised it and knocked.

As that summons reached her ears, Eve was