He clasped his hands in agony: he would have torn his hair, only that would have attracted other people's attention : he groaned, protested, would have sworn, but that she checked him in time.

"I repeat, sir, that you are mistaken: do not interrupt me, if you please. I am very sorry that it should have come to this, very sorry but it is not my fault. However, since you are so eager and positive, Mr. Ferdinand, I must request you to wait till this day month. If you are then in the same mind, why that will alter the case; but do not go on making promises and speeches now: I will not consider you bound by any of them, remember that you may be thankful to remember it some day."

Ferdinand, who now thought his prize secure, poured forth his thanks in spite of her prohibition, and undismayed by the coldness of her manner, looked the very picture of adoring gratitude. "All right, mother," he whispered in Mrs. Crawford's ear as they were coming away, "I am to wait a month, and then she has half promised, if I am of the same mind."

"Bless you, my dear boy !" was all his happy mother had time to reply, and when in the carriage, with her guest, she could not refrain from pressing her hand in hers. Miss Martin looked out of the window.

Long was the drive, and slippery the road, even as Jem had foretold; Miss Martin was tired, and vexed and fidgety, but little did she know how every delay in their progress was felt by her imprisoned leader. As hour after hour passed slowly away, and no one approached her place of confinement, and the fire went out for want of coals, and the long wick of the candle grew gigantic for want of snuffers, Margaret's feelings of impatience and irritation became almost insupportable. In all her adventures it had never yet happened to her to be restrained to a few feet square without the power of escape, and she felt more and more convinced every minute that she should make a most indifferent martyr. At the same time, a sensation of absurdity made it impossible to feel seriously exasperated. "It is all my own fault," thought Margaret, "poor comfort though that may be and what makes it worse, I have been outwitted. Well, henceforth, straight paths for me! I have had masquerading

:

enough and yet on the whole, I cannot regret what I have done. I have learnt more in this month than in my whole previous life, and more I trust, than I shall ever quite forget. She walked to the window and looked out, or rather up, for the lower panes were whitened, but from the upper ones she could see the bright starry heavens, in all the beauty of a clear frosty night. Miss Armadale felt as if she had never appreciated that beauty before and gazed and gazed again, till her high heart melted, and her eyes filled with tears, and her soul lifted itself in prayer. Yes, she had begun to look on those far radiant worlds, not as a spectacle to admire, but as a shrine in which to praise; the yearning void in her desires which nothing earthly could fill, was being filled by slow but sure degrees, with that for which it was created: drop by drop, she scarcely knew how, the dew of religious peace had come down on her awakened spirit, making the tender herb push forth and grow, and the green blade lift its head. She felt not now that sinking depression in which Mary Leyden had found her, for the time in which her accident had kept her to her room, had been well and seriously employed, and having discovered the secret of religious strength, she could boldly look her weakness in the face.

As Miss Armadale watched the heavens, Alfred's Christmas song came floating back to her ears; and that passage in particular which had gone like a spear to her heart:

"To give with both hands liberally-to love with the whole heart fervently-to press onward, onward still, in the pathway of joyful obedience-bringing heart, and soul, and strength, and intellect, as offerings to the Bridegroom's table; and drinking here on earth of the cup of felicity that shall crown the marriage supper of the Lamb!"

And, as she repeated the words, her head bowed itself, and her knees bent, and she was engaged in fervent prayer ... when a sound fell on her ear that thrilled her with the deepest awe.

It was the bell of the church-tower, chiming out the old year.

She had heard that sound often . . . but never upon her knees.

CHAPTER X.

"Albeit thus masked, Madam, I love the truth."

TENNYSON.

"WHAT in the world can be going on?" said Mrs. Crawford, as the carriage stopped, "the whole house are sitting up, I do believe."

The door was no sooner opened, than Nelson appeared, with a look of anxious concern: the hall was full of servants, and a buzz of voices made its way out into the frosty air. The party alighted, and Nelson seized his mother's arm. "Come in here, mother! I thought you never would come home. Come in, Miss Armadale,—for heaven's sake, come in !"

They did so, in much astonishment at this reception; and found candles lighted in the dining-room, where Uncle Sym and his nieces were waiting. Theodosia advanced to meet them with a flushed cheek and a sparkling eye.

"What is the matter?" burst from every lip. She shook her head with ominous gravity. "Is it Esther? is she ill?" cried Miss Martin.

"She is not ill, Miss Armadale," said Theodosia, “but what I have to tell, concerns both her and yourself.”

Miss Martin started, and turned so pale, that Mrs. Crawford entreated her daughter to say quickly all she had to say.

"If you will all sit down," said Theodosia, gravely, "I will send for the young lady, and tell you in her presence. It is a case in which Papa must decide."

Mr. Crawford, who was half asleep, rubbed his eyes, and put on his spectacles. Miss Martin, trembling with nervousness, sat down, with Ferdinand leaning on the back of her chair. Every body looked excited and curious.

Shipton!" said Theodosia, "fetch Miss Esther."

"Thank you," said Nelson, "I am going to do that; give me the key, Mrs. Shipton. It will be trying enough for the young lady to face so many people, without being dragged in by the servants, like a criminal." And, without

waiting for any remonstrance, he hastened to carry out his purpose.

"Whatever she may have done," thought he, as he turned the key in the lock, "I cannot see the good of bolting her into this pigeon-hole: but that's just the spiteful way women serve each other. I only hope she won't be crying; -if she is, what on earth am 1 to do? I would rather face a mad bull any day, than a pretty girl in tears." He opened the door very softly, and peeped in. Miss Armadale, who was by this time subdued with fatigue, had returned to her seat, and laid her head on the table, with her hands clasped in her lap, resignedly waiting till her persecutors should please to send for her. The various emotions of the long tedious night had left her languid and weary; and when, at the sound of Nelson's entrance, she slowly raised her head, his compassion was deeply moved by the sight of her pale cheeks and drooping eyelashes; drooping, as he supposed, with shame and humiliation. He looked at her for a moment with respectful sympathy, and the tears glistened in his eyes.

"Miss Esther," he said, hesitating, which for Nelson was most extraordinary, "they are waiting for you, and—and I hoped you would allow me to take you in,-1 thought you might feel a little nervous. Excuse my taking such a liberty, but indeed” His voice was literally choked. Margaret rose from her seat; but when he held out his hand, she drew back her own. "I feel your kindness, Mr. Nelson, most deeply," she said, with a quiet smile; "but I dare not allow you to shake hands with me. Are they mak. ing out my committal ?"

"Miss Esther, you shall have justice done you, if justice is to be found in the kingdom," said Nelson. "I know you can explain what you were doing; and that, however much appearances are against you, your integrity will make itself clear to all!"

Miss Armadale shook her head gravely. "Do not make rash assertions, Mr. Nelson: facts are stubborn things, and I am not going to deny them."

"Is it all true then ?" said Nelson, sorrowfully, "oh do not say so, Miss Esther!"

Margaret cast down her eyes. He looked at her in dis

tress and perplexity, then offered his arm, which she accepted. As they quitted the room, he asked what she meant to say to his father and Miss Armadale.

"The truth," said Margaret, gently, "it has been kept back too long."

"Oh, Miss Esther!" said Nelson, stopping suddenly short, "if you wanted money, people will get into difficulties sometimes-I do myself, but if you really wanted money, why did you not tell some of us? we would all have helped you, indeed we would; any thing would have been better than this! But I am only distressing instead of helping you. Don't be frightened, pray don't: speak the truth boldly-I will stand by you, and take care you have fair play: only keep up a good heart."

“Thank you,” said Margare:, "you may rely upon it, I

will."

The hall was filled with servants, among whom were Nisbett and Antoine; the former with red eyes, nose, and cheeks, boiling with indignation; the latter, in a state of irrepressible glee, for in every stroke aimed at his mistress, he saw an acceleration of the denouement he panted for. When the dining-room door was opened, the general excitement overcame conventional forms, and one and all made their way in. All eyes turned on Margaret, who as she passed through the door, seemed to leave behind her every sensation of languor and depression. She withdrew her hand from Nelson's arm, and advanced towards the table, her stately figure erect, and her downcast eyes gleaming with light. Mr. Crawford, seated in his chair of judgment at the head of the table, looked at her over his spectacles, and hemmed two or three times. "I am grieved, young lady," he began, "to have so unpleasant a duty to perform, but I understand you appealed to me, and I need not say you shall have the fairest treatment, and every indulgence we can allow you."

Margaret bowed, and stole one look at Miss Martin under her eyelashes, to prepare that lady for what was to follow.

Theodosia now stated her case, and related what our readers already know, her previous suspicions, the steps she had deemed it right for all their sakes to take, ‍and the