I was surprised at the protracted stay of Mr. Meredith, but in order to cheer his wife, I answered, without evincing any emotion, “What can we know of the time necessary to transact his business in when he reached the town? He may have been compelled to wait, or perhaps the notary was absent; papers may have had to be drawn and signed, and—” “Ah, doctor! I knew you would speak consoling words to me. I did not hesitate to send for you. I needed to hear some one tell me it was foolish in me to tremble thus. How long the day has been. Great God! are there persons who can exist alone? Do they not die at once, as though you were to take from them one half the air they breathed. But it is striking eight.” In truth it was eight o’clock. I could not understand why William had not returned. At all events I answered; “Madame, the sun is barely gone down; it is still daylight, and the evening is beautiful; let us inhale the sweet scent of your flowers; let us go to the spot where we are likely to meet him—your husband will then find you on his path.” She leant on my arm, and slowly walked toward the garden-gate. I endeavored to draw her attention to surrounding objects. She answered me at first as a child obeys, but I felt that her thoughts were far away. She gazed uneasily on the green gate which still remained half open as when William left, and leaning against the trellis, listened to me with now and then a smile of acknowledgment, for in proportion as it grew later did she lose the courage to answer me. Her eyes watched in the heavens the setting sun, and the gray tints that followed the brilliancy of its rays, gave certain evidence of the progress of time. Every thing grew dark around us. The turnings of the road, which till then had been visible through the woods, now disappeared beneath the shade of the lofty trees, and the village clock struck nine. Eva trembled; as for me, every stroke seemed to reach my heart. I felt for the sufferings of this poor young creature. “Remember, madame,” I said, (she had not spoken to me, but I read her uneasiness in every feature,) “remember that Mr. Meredith can only return slowly; the roads through the woods are continually over rocks, which do not admit of a quick passage.”