brilliant lights under the reflection of a culprit sunbeam that glanced through the eastern window-he saw them fix themselves there, and watched their expression of curiosity swiftly change to one of admiration, then bewilderment. At last he noted a sudden spasmodic movement of the lace upon her bosom, as she shrank away from the dazzling glitter of gems, with a pallid face and eyes half closed with some new emotion which Sir Philip attributed to the revolt of accepting such a valuable gift from him.

He possessed

The thought made him bolder. himself of one of her hands with a sudden action which she did not anticipate, and was adjusting the ring when they heard footsteps outside the door.

They separated quickly, she flying to one of the bookcases under pretense of examining the titles of its volumes, he cooly walking toward the window and looking out upon the mistswathed river. Thus Alice Meredith found them as she opened the door and looked in as if in search of some one.

"Sir Philip," said the young girl, "I wanted to say to you that I am compelled to take the 11: 20 train to Boston, if I can possibly make the connection. I have just received news of the illness of my sister. Lady Camden is sleeping quietly under an opiate, and I cannot disturb her; but I have given Anine a note for her in

which I have made due explanations." Sir Philip bowed.

Have you heard if there are any others wanting to go by that train ?" he asked.

66

Yes, Mrs. Dextrell and her daughters are going; also the Elwoods and Lieutenant Carruthers."

"Well-a-if it is not too much trouble, give orders for the sleigh to be made ready at once, will you ?"

Alice bowed and withdrew hurriedly, and after a few whispered words to Dorian, Sir Philip also left the library to take leave of his departing guests.

Left alone, Mrs. Rossmore plunged into an excited soliloquy which was couched in exclamatory phrases chiefly, and in the tongue of France, and during which she kept her eyes riveted upon the ring which Sir Philip had placed upon her finger, among whose twelve large stones there sparkled a single emerald of marvelous clearness and brilliancy of color.

"Ceil! one emerald and eleven diamonds! What a coincidence!" She ended with a strange laugh, and as she swept from the library a few moments later, she murmured the words in an ominous undertone: "Verily, then, Sir Philip Camden, the ring shall be a talisman between ourselves."

Once in the hall, she turned and cast a fright

ened glance over her shoulder, as if she halfexpected to see some grim apparition following her, and the voice of Fred Bentwell greeting her abruptly, made her cry out involuntarily.

"Where have you been, Dorian ?" he asked, "I have been searching everywhere for you. Everyone is leaving Maplehurst this morning, don't you know?"

"Are you?" asked Dorian, recovering herself. "Are you?" he asked evasively.

"No, I am going by the one-twenty."

"I am, too. What a pretty ring! I never saw you wear it before—Dorian ! Why do you treat me so ?" this in a grieved tone as she snatched away the hand which he had made an attempt at taking, and ran softly up the stairs, not even deigning a glance back to where he stood looking after her with great wounded, almost tearful eyes.

CHAPTER XX

BLANCHE

Bright eyed Fancy hovering o'er,

Scatters from her pictured urn

Thoughts that breathe and words that burn.

-Gray.

HE letter received from her mother by Alice that morning had been brief, merely stating that Blanche was "not well" and suggesting that, though they apprehended nothing serious, she run home for a few days' visit to gratify the child who was constantly lamenting her absence.

Despite these words of reassurance, however, Alice was ill at ease and trembled with strange misgivings when at length she paused before the many gabled stone house which her heart still rejoiced in calling "home."

For an instant she hesitated outside the door to listen anxiously. A silence intense as the With a faltering

grave seemed to reign within. hand she turned the silver knob and passed noiselessly into the gloom of the great hall, where she was greeted by her youngest sister, who had been on the look-out for her all the forenoon, and who burst from the library crying, "Oh Allie!

Blanche will be so glad you are come! She has been asking for you constantly to-day."

"Tell me, Olive, darling, how long has she been ailing? Is she very ill?" Alice questioned eagerly as she bent to kiss the ready lips.

"She has been sick since Tuesday, but the doctor thinks he can save her from having the fever very badly, if she is good and doesn't fret over her writing."

"Writing!" repeated Alice in a puzzled tone. "Yes, she begs for her pencil and tablet, and the doctor told mamma not to let her have them. He says writing 'll make her head worse," answered the child still vaguely.

"I suppose she has been worrying too much over her school exercises," thought Miss Meredith, as she suddenly remembered Blanche's habit of pursuing her studies even through vacation weeks.

A few moments later upon entering the invalid's room she found her sister sitting up in a deep easy chair, her cheeks glowing as with inward fire, and her blue eyes looking far larger and brighter than was natural, as they fixed themselves joyously upon her.

After a lingering caress, (Blanche's arms threatened to cling forever around her neck) Alice drew a chair very close and taking one of the short quick-pulsing hands in hers she listened as Blanche spoke of the mysterious