There fell over them a profound silence, broken only by the sweet, cheery music of a bird singing in the cedar tree, and the faint sighing of the wind among the leaves. "Tell me, for Heaven's sake!" repeated Lady Darrell, her grasp tightening on Pauline's arm. "I have nothing to tell," was the curt reply. "Pray do not hold my arm so tightly, Lady Darrell; I have nothing to tell." "Do not deceive me--there must be some reason for your strange manner. Tell it to me now, before it is too late." There was almost an agony of pleading in her face and voice, but Pauline turned resolutely away, leaving her beneath the cedar alone. "I must be mistaken," Lady Darrell thought. "What can she know of him? I must be wrong to doubt him; surely if I doubt him I shall doubt Heaven itself. It is her manner--her awkward manner--nothing more." And she tried her best to dismiss all thoughts of Pauline from her mind, and give herself to her newly-found happiness. "Pauline," said Miss Hastings, sorrowfully, when she rejoined the girl, "I cannot understand you." "I do not quite understand myself," returned Miss Darrell. "I did not think I had any weakness or pity in my heart, but I find it is there." "You frighten me," said Miss Hastings. "What makes you so strange? O, Pauline, throw it off, this black shadow that envelopes you, and forget this idea of vengeance which has so completely changed you!" She looked up with a smile--a hard, bitter smile. "I shall have had my revenge," she said, gloomily, "when she has married him." Nor could any entreaties, any prayers of the kind-hearted woman move her to say more. Whether the mysterious and uncertain aspect of things preyed upon Miss Hastings' mind, whether she grieved over her pupil and allowed that grief to disturb her, was never revealed, but in the month of August she became seriously ill--not ill enough to be obliged to keep her room, but her health and her strength failed her, and day by day she became weaker and less able to make any exertion. Lady Darrell sent for Doctor Helmstone, and he advised Miss Hastings to go to the sea-side at once, and to remain there during the autumn. At her earnest request Pauline consented to accompany her. "The change will do you good as well as myself," said the anxious lady; and Miss Darrell saw that she was thinking how much better it would be that she should leave Darrell Court. "I will go," she said. "I know what you are thinking of. My vengeance is nearly accomplished. There is no reason now why I should remain here." After many consultations it was agreed that they should go to the pretty little watering-place called Omberleigh. Many things recommended it; the coast was sheltered, the scenery beautiful, the little town itself very quiet, the visitors were few and of the higher class. It was not possible to find a prettier spot than Omberleigh.