full

braises,

and gaily trimmed jackets, gave a respectful nod of recognition to the 'Sassenach' lady, as they left the church.

It was then that a figure, differing greatly in appearance from the rest, attracted her attention. It was that of a lady in deep mourning, tall and finely formed. She stood so near to Alice that their garments almost touched, and the latter was looking at the stranger with some little curiosity, when she heard these words murmured softly in her ear.

"Miss Ellerton-for I cannot be mistaken in my belief that it is her whom I am addressing-may I speak to you alone? I have come to see you on important business, business in which you and those you love are deeply interested.'

Alice was taken by surprise, for the voice was a strange one to her, and in that 'dim, religious light,' and concealed by the thick folds of her crape veil, the features of the

* Nether garments-an exaggeration of knickerbockers.

speaker were undiscernible. She could only say in reply:

Certainly, I am going home; pray return with me.' But the presence of the veiled lady seemed in some sort to oppress her, and her heart beat faster than usual. The stranger's next words did not tend to reassure her.

'No, not home-not at least to Lady Thornleigh's home. You do not know me, you could not know me. But-No, I cannot say it only I was with Sir Philip Thornleigh when he died, and I bear a message from him to his wife.'

Alice uttered a faint exclamation of joy.

They were standing in the light of day now, and through the dusky crape she could discern a true woman's face, pale and sad.

'Oh, come at once,' she cried, 'come to my poor sister; she has so longed for one word from Philip. I do not know you, perhaps I ought not to ask you to take this trouble;

but I cannot feel that a friend of my poor brother's is a stranger to me.'

Helen threw back her veil. Did she imagine that the sight of her uncovered face would reveal the truth to that unsuspecting being, and that thus the pain of explanation would be spared her? If this were her belief, she was mistaken; for she was obliged to have recourse to words.

'I will speak to you,' she said, 'before God's altar. Let us go into His House;' and they two went in.

Helen leant against a massive pillar in the nave; while Alice, who was weak and trembling, supported herself by resting her small clasped hands on the back of a Prie-Dieu; and looking in the face of her strange companion, seemed asking for explanation.

Helen returned the gaze unflinchingly, and as she did so, some of the old bitterness born of the world's, and of woman's scorn of her, flashed out.

'Aye, look at me,' she said, look at the woman branded with shame, who has dared to touch with her polluted finger the hem of your garment. The creed of some Christian women says, that I have no right either to speak to, or to come near the pure and good. And they are right-God help me! But I will go soon, and trouble you no more.'

Alice was alarmed; and an idea occurring to her that she was addressed by one whose intellects were disordered, she looked round her as though for protection.

Nay, do not fear me,' said Helen, upon whom the expression of her companion's countenance was not lost.

for I am sane as you are.

'Do not fear me,

The curse of mad

ness is not on me; only I have been sinful, wearied, and persecuted.'

'God help you!' ejaculated Alice.

'And now I am come to make confession,'

pursued Helen, a little encouraged by the tone of Alice's last words, and in what more

VOL. II

H

fitting place can it be made than herewhere, when but two are together, God himself has said "that he is in the midst of them?""

Alice bowed her head reverently.

'Listen to me,' continued the agitated woman. 'My name is Helen Langton—the name I went by: Vaughan. Have you never heard of me? Search your memory, and think, if in days gone by, you have never caught whispered words in which my name was uttered as that of an unholy thing.'

'Never,' said Alice, faintly, while something whispered to her what that strange

woman was.

'Never! well, that makes my task the harder;' and she paused as if doubting how to proceed.

'Oh! speak, pray! let me hear what you wished to say,' said Alice, impatiently; for she recollected Gertrude, and the uneasiness her lengthened absence would occasion.

Have patience with me,' said the poor