"Why did they come here at all?" cried Janet, fiercely. "We were happy in our poor way before that; and now they have made us wretched for life. But Patty, Patty, this sight--this horrid vision--which I always have before me;" and as she spoke, she looked straight before her with hot and straining eyes. "What does it mean? I feel sometimes that I cannot bear it." Patty tried hard to soothe her companion; but her efforts seemed to be absolutely in vain, so wild and excited had Janet grown. At times her hearers shuddered as they listened to her exclamations, Mrs Winks even going so far as to glance over her shoulder to make sure that nothing of the kind described was really present. Then for a time the poor girl calmed down, and Patty began to hope that her soothing words had taken effect; but soon there came a repetition, and Janet raised her head to stare straight before her, as she exclaimed:-- "It seems, at times, as if I could not bear it--as if it would send me mad; for he is in pain, I know--I feel. He is wounded--perhaps dead; and oh, Patty," she whispered, her face, her voice softening as she leaned her forehead upon her companion's shoulder, "I love him so--so dearly." Kissing her tenderly, smoothing her hair fondly the while, Patty tried to whisper comfort to the fluttering aching heart, beating so wildly within that deformed breast. But all seemed in vain; the troubled spirit refused to be comforted, for it knew its desolation, and that even if Lionel Redgrave were found to be living and well, there was no hope, no rest for her. "Try not to cry so much, dear," said Patty, simply. "It will make your head ache." "Better the head than the heart, Patty," cried Janet, passionately. "Oh, I wish I was dead--I wish I was dead!" "Hush, hush, dear! how can you?" whispered Patty. "Try, do try to keep it back." "Yes, yes," said Janet, with a sigh that was more like a groan. "I will be patient, I will try and bear it, and you will try and pray with me, Patty, that he may be safe and well, and restored to the good old man, his father. Oh! how I longed to be near him--to go on my knees by his side; and when he asked me to come, it was almost more than I could bear. Something seemed to be drawing me to him, and again something was dragging me back. Patty, how do people feel when they go mad? Is it anything like what I have been suffering these last few days?" "Did you not promise me that you would be calm?" whispered Patty, soothingly. "Yes, yes, I know I did, and I am trying; but you will pray too, Patty dear, will you not?" "Yes," answered Patty, as she clung close to the poor suffering girl. "I will pray too." "But _he_ believed you, Patty," Janet exclaimed, suddenly; "and came to your side then, like a lover should. I was in trouble, but all the same I could see his proud look. He loves you--he loves you!"