And Brownie! Who shall describe the tumult that was in her heart, as she sought Lady Ruxley’s apartments? She could not misinterpret Adrian’s manner toward her. Had not he almost called her darling? Had not his every tone and look been fraught with that magnetic influence which could not be mistaken? Did not his horror, when he had found it was she who had been in such peril, bespeak a deeper interest than that of a mere friend? Ah, yes! and her hands burned with his passionate kisses even now. How precious—how doubly precious the boon of life would seem to her hereafter, since it had been bestowed upon her by him! * * * * * “I will know my fate this day,” said Adrian, the next morning, as he arose from his almost sleepless couch and descended to the breakfast parlor. For the past six months Brownie had been so continually in his thoughts that she had grown to seem almost a part of himself, and now it seemed to him as if, in the great horror of the night previous, when they had stood so near to death, and together had caught a glimpse, so to speak, of the darkness and gloom of mysterious eternity, it seemed, I say, as if they had tacitly acknowledged and felt that they belonged to each other. “How now,” said the grandfather, as he entered the room; “you must be off to-day? I was hoping that you would spend several weeks with us.” “I’m sure I cannot see what there is so important to call you back to London,” put in Lady Dunforth, reproachfully. “Do you take it so much to heart? Well, then suppose I compromise the matter, and say that I will remain a few days,” Adrian replied, laughingly, though he colored a conscious crimson as he altered his plans. His lordship gave him a searching glance, as if he did not exactly understand this change; he had been so positive last night about returning. Lady Dunforth, however, was delighted, and other guests entering at that moment, she imparted the good news, and then all sat down to breakfast. Adrian was on the watch all day for Brownie, but late hours did not agree with Lady Ruxley, and she did not rise until very late. Then, being in rather a more exacting mood than usual, she kept her companion in constant attendance upon her all day. It was not until late in the afternoon that Brownie was free to take a stroll by herself; then, her ladyship having fallen into a doze, she donned her hat and shawl and stole out. She had a strange desire to visit again the spot where she had so nearly lost her life, and view by daylight the havoc which had been wrought. Walking rapidly, she soon gained the top of the hill, and, turning from the narrow path, she ere long stood upon the precipice where the great shelf of earth had crumbled away.