I would see them again, demand an explanation; and if my suspicions proved true, I could refute any change made against me--so as once more to make them my friends. I did not desire their friendship from any personal motives. It might not now be worth the trouble of having it restored; but in memory of their past kindness, and out of regard for my own character, I could not leave them labouring under the impression that I had been ungrateful. Alas! there was a deeper motive for my desiring an explanation. Their friendship was worth restoring. It was of no use my endeavouring to think otherwise. The friendship of a beautiful creature like Lenore was worth every thing. The world to me would be worthless without it. I was already wretched at the thought of having lost her good opinion. I must again establish myself in it, or failing, become more wretched still. The next day, I returned to the residence of Mrs Hyland. I saw her seated near the window, as I approached the house. I saw her arise, and retire out of sight--evidently after recognising me! I rang the bell. The door was opened by a servant--who, without waiting to be interrogated, informed me that neither Mrs nor Miss Hyland were at home! I pushed the door open, passed the astonished domestic, entered the hall; and stepped unceremoniously into the apartment--in the window of which I had seen Mrs Hyland. No one was inside--excepting the servant, who had officially followed me. I turned to her, and said in a tone savouring of command: "Tell Mrs Hyland that Mr Rowland Stone is here, and will not leave until he has seen her." The girl retired, and soon after Mrs Hyland entered the room. She did not speak; but waited to hear what I had to say. "Mrs Hyland," I began, "I am too well acquainted with you, and respect you too much, to believe that I am treated in the manner I have been, without a good cause. Conscious of having done nothing intentionally to injure you, or yours, I have returned to demand the reason why your conduct towards me has undergone such a change. You once used to receive me here as though I was your own son. What have I done to forfeit your friendship?" "If your own conscience does not accuse you," she answered, "it is not necessary for me to give you any explanation, for you might not understand it. But there is one thing that I hope you _will_ understand: and that is, that your visits here are no longer either welcome or desirable." "I learnt that much yesterday," said I, imitating in a slight degree the air of sneering indifference, in which Mrs Hyland addressed me. "To-day I have called for an explanation. Your own words imply that I was once welcome; and I wish to know why such is no longer the case."