for their parting interview, Alice mounted her pony, and returned to Kelhouet.

A rapid trot of her little Breton steed soon brought Miss Ellerton to the Château, and there the first object that met her eyes was Gertrude, pacing rapidly along the gravel walk before the door.

'Alice,' she exclaimed, 'before you tell me anything that has passed, answer me one question, and describe to me, in a few words, this Helen that you have been visiting.'

'A few words!' said Alice, faintly. That would be small measure, in which to portray a beauty, and a charm that I have rarely seen equalled.'

'But tell me, is she dark or fair, and is her form slight or of large proportions? I saw a miniature once, hidden among poor Philip's most cherished possessions, and asked him of whom it was the likeness; but he refused to satisfy my curiosity. The face was a very beautiful one, the hair dark, and the eyes long-shaped and sleepy. But the smile! Oh!

Alice, it was such a smile, the sweetest and the brightest I ever saw.'

'There was no smile on the face I saw today,' said her sister, gravely. 'Strange, indeed, if there had been. From your description, however, I have little doubt that Mrs. Vaughan is the original of the portrait, guarded so carefully by our poor Philip. But what of this, dear Gertrude? and why are you so anxious to identify-'

'Surely,' interposed her sister, eagerly, 'surely you must be as desirous as I am to be convinced that this woman is at least no impostor -no inventor of lies to deceive us?'

She spoke with vehemence, but Alice replied with even more than her wonted gentleness.

'Forgive me for my dullness, dear sister, but had you seen Mrs. Vaughan as I have seen her, and had you watched her words and countenance as I have done to-day; you would hardly be surprised that all memory of your doubts should have escaped

me. And now that I have answered your questions, you must listen to me, and after hearing the statement that has been made to me, you must decide on the course of conduct you will pursue.'

The summer sun had already passed its meridian, when the sisters, seated under a spreading lime-tree, held their colloquy. Lady Thornleigh listened in silence while Alice revealed to her the almost incredible details concerning Sir Philip's last testament, and his ultimate instructions to Helen concerning it.

'And now,' she added, when all was told, 'now, Gertrude, surely the time has come when you will remember the interests of your children, and will, if it be within your power, redeem their name, and your own from suspicion and disgrace.'

The appeal was urgent, but it was made in vain.

'You urged me on a matter about which you were not qualified to judge,' said Ger

trude, coldly. But you might at least give me credit for disinterestedness, and believe that I would scarcely do that for worldly gain, which I had refused to your entreaties, and to the commands of my husband. The same obstacles are in my way now, that stood during that time of trial and wretchedness, between me and my justification. Till those obstacles shall be removed, disgrace, suspicion, and poverty must be my portion. But I will see this person.-I will stand before this appointed judge of my conduct, and do homage to this arbitress of my fate. A fitting one truly is she! Think of it, Alice. Sir Philip's mistress sitting in judgment on Philip Thornleigh's wife! It is, indeed, a sight to make men smile.' And she laughed a bitter and scornful laugh, as though she mocked herself and all the world.

'Oh! Gertrude. Do not speak so angrily and cruelly. Is it this poor woman's fault that fortune has been thrust upon her? Gladly would she make restitution were it in

her power to do so; and right thankful would she be could she restore this wealth to you and to its rightful heir.'

'I thank her, but neither I, nor mine will consent to receive alms from Sir Philip Thornleigh's friend!' said Gertrude, with proud determination. And Alice, seeing that her present mood was one that rendered reasoning with her useless, was prudently silent.

Truly, when those we love disappoint us, the hit on our heart is a hard one! Alice felt this as she leant her head upon her hand and recalled (moodily and almost resentfully) her sister's words. Doubts were creeping in, and beliefs vanishing away; while testimonies which she had driven forth before as unworthy of credit, came rushing back-a perfect crowd of witnesses-to prove that Gertrude was what her sister feared to

name.

It was, perhaps, strange that the fortress of faith, which had stood firm against so