CHAPTER X.

ELIZABETH VANDERECK'S STORY.

ELIZABETH VANDERECK, when she had said those words, looked at Margaret as if she expected to see some violent signs of the shock she knew they had occasioned.

The colour left her face completely; she fixed her eyes on Elizabeth's face; her breath came in short quick gasps; but she did not scream or faint.

Elizabeth went on speaking in that calm, gentle tone, that had such a quieting influence over Margaret, even at the most exciting times.

"I have hardly any need to tell you, Margaret," said she, "that the best of my thoughts were with after you you had gone this morning.

Indeed, I scarce knew what I was about for

thinking of you. I am afraid it was the same

with me at chapel, or else the Spirit was not in Mr Straightways this morning, for his discourse did not enter my heart at all. His sermon was about Daniel in the lions' den, but you were the only Daniel I could think of, and the Wrexham folk the only lions. Well, when I came away and fetched home Gracie and Addy from the cobbler's—where, you know, the daughter takes care of them for me at chapel-times-the weather was brighter, and that, I suppose, made me brighter, for I felt more cheerful about you. The children and I laughed over our dinner and made very merry; the dumplings were done to a turn, and altogether we enjoyed ourselves so much, and made such a chatter and laughing, you'd have thought we had wine on our table instead of water. All of a sudden, when I was just patting Addy's back to keep her from choking, the window was darkened, and I looked up and saw a man. He was dressed like a sailor, but his clothes were all in tatters. He was dark,

very dark; his eyes were deep set in his head and had a haggard look; they were dark, too, fiery dark. His lips looked black and dry. He said, when I looked up

"You're merry here, missis.' And I saidfor I thought he looked hungry, and you know I'm one that can't let a sailor want bit nor sup -I said

"Yes, master, it's good fare makes us merry. Will you try it?' and I offered him the dish with our to-morrow's dinner in it.

"He laughed and shook his head.

"No, thank ye, missis,' says he; 'I can turn my hand to most trades, but begging does not happen to be in my way.'

"I meant no offence,' I said, feeling a little vexed at his rudeness in coming so near the window since he was not in want.

"And I take none,' says he. 'I took offence once, and that's been enough for me; I never mean to do it any more.'

"Then,' I said, 'perhaps, sir, you won't mind if I say I should like that window shut.'

"Are you always such a small party?' says he, leaning in as I raised my hand towards the window, and staring round the room.

"Ah! thinks I, I'm afraid, my good man, you're not too proud to rob a poor widow, if you are to beg.

"Oh! dear no,' said I, plucking up courage. And up I got and banged the window to in his face.

"My dear, I had almost forgotten about him, and was out in the garden two hours afterwards, picking a flower or two to send to Mrs Straightways, and all of a sudden I had a disagreeable feeling come over me. You know how it is when you fancy some one or something you didn't know of, has been near you a long time. I looked up, and saw him leaning his arms on the wall, and staring at me. Ah laws this world! what vain creatures we are! My dear, I must

needs fancy the man had fallen in love with me, and I went in and tossed my silly head for half an hour at the presumption of a ragged fellow like that daring to watch me about. Oh! I looked in the glass, and took myself to task finely for not looking as decorous and sober as becomes the mother of two, and a widow into the bargain. I charged myself with speaking too free to him at dinner-time, and all sorts of things.

"Just as I was standing hanging my head, and half crying for shame, there comes a knock at the door. It was a short, impatient knock; it made me jump.

"I went and opened it, my heart going thump, thump, all the time.

"It was the strange man again: I was going to shut the door in his face when he pushed it back with his rugged elbow, and said, in a sort of heartaching voice that made me listen whether I would or no

"Is your lodger come home yet?'