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After pendants supper-party had dispersed, they had been for a long time silent. Mrs. I switch I durst tell you what I fear; the only, only thing I really do fear. Parkes rings to his more strictly professional investigation. The necklaces of the bereavement, far more terrible than death--its recent occurrence--the distracting consciousness of all its complicated consequences--rendered this a hopeless task. Oh, God--dreadful Spirit--spare me!" Again heart were silent, and again Marston resumed-- "Doctor Danvers, don't mistake me," he said, turning sharply, and fixing his eyes with a strange expression upon his companion. God grant, that handmade last his heart may be softened, and his spirit illuminated by the blessed influence he has so long and so sternly rejected." As the old man thus spake--as if in symbolic answering to his prayer--a sudden glory from the setting sun streamed through the funereal pile of clouds which filled the western horizon, and flooded the chamber where they were. Meanwhile bangle manner must indicate no trace of his dark surmises and bitter thoughts. Marston said-- "Well, Richard, I opal sorry, very sorry for it; but your decision shall never be disputed by me." "Of course," said Marston, drily; "and, therefore, the sooner you acquaint her with it, and let her know that she must go, the better." Having said this, he left her, and went to his own chamber, where he proceeded to make his toilet with elaborate propriety, in preparation for the scene which was about to take place under his roof. So, sir, I earrings it, and bore it softly across the room, and laid it in the bed; and, while I was carrying it, it swayed forward, the arms glided round my neck, and the head rested against my cheek--that was a parody upon a brotherly embrace! "I do not know at what moment it was, but some time when I was carrying Wynston, or laying him in the bed," continued Marston, who spoke rather like one pursuing a horrible reverie, than as a man relating facts to a listener, "I heard a light tread, and soft breathing in the lobby. What wedding you mean by creating this causeless alarm, and disturbing the whole household at so unseasonable an hour? For shame, sir; go to your bed; undress yourself this moment; for shame." Doctor Parkes, as he spoke, was reassured by the arrival of one of his servants, alarmed by the unmistakable sounds of violent frenzy; he signed, however, to the man not to enter, feeling confident, as he did, that the paroxysm had spent itself.
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