"I have been praying earnestly that I might be prepared for this discovery, should it take place," she said. "I will go with you and assure him of my entire forgiveness. Juliette knows nothing of her father's desertion, and she need not be made acquainted with the discovery." "Oh, Mrs. Douglass, I am sure he will never part with you again." She shook her head, rose, and put on her bonnet and shawl. Marion saw that, while she was making a great effort to appear calm, her hands trembled so much that she could not tie the bonnet-strings. Unobserved by the lady, she wrote with pencil on a piece of paper:— Dear Mrs. Cheriton,— I have taken your mother with me. Please remain at home with Geenie till I call or send for you. MARION. This she left in plain sight on the table. On their way little was spoken until they approached the door, when Marion said,— "I hope the doctor will be there. I dare not take you to Mr. Lambert's room without his permission." The servant who opened the door stared at the new-comer, and said to Miss Howard,— "Mr. Lambert is too ill, ma'am, to see visitors." "Yes, I know. This lady is going with me to the parlor to see the doctor." She gave Mrs. Douglass her arm, and found from the manner the lady leaned against her that she could scarcely support herself. The valet came at once. "Mr. Lambert is awake," he said, "and has been calling for you." "I cannot leave this lady alone. Is the doctor here?" "He's just going, miss. I hear him coming downstairs." "Ask him to come here." "Dr. Danforth, this is my friend, Mr. Lambert's wife. Can she see him?" "Go and tell him she is here. He is as impatient this morning as ever old Mr. Regy was." The doctor tried to smile, but looked anxious. "I thought you would never come," said the sick man in a petulant tone. "I might have died without ever asking her to forgive me." "Would you like to see her now?" "Would I?" He gave a scream which speedily brought the valet to his side. "Get me up! Bring my clothes! Where is she? Don't let her go! I'll be ready in a minute." The valet was thunderstruck, and looked at Miss Howard helplessly. "Mr. Lambert," said Marion, in an authoritative tone, "if you don't lie down and be calm I'll take Mrs. Lambert away again. There, that is right!" as he assented like a penitent boy. "You must be calm, for her sake. She is an invalid, and has been for years." "Will you explain to her why I can't go to her? It's my place. Are you sure she'll forgive me?" "Yes, I'm sure." "Now," said Marion, addressing the valet, who stood in open-mouthed wonder, "you may go to the parlor and ask the doctor to assist Mrs. Lambert up the stairs." The sick man quickly covered his face, and she heard him whispering a prayer for help. "For his sake and for your own, be as calm as possible," said Dr. Ross, leaving the lady at the door and motioning the servant to retire.