Dawn was creeping over the sky when, thoroughly wearied and ill, she flung herself upon her bed. As she lay, her eyes fell on the sapphire ring that she wore, and the memory of Enid--her patience, her suffering, her courage--stole into her heart. Then her mind wandered to her husband, and to all his great goodness; and, remembering this, she sent up a fervid prayer for strength to do her duty to this man; and, as the sighing plea left her heart, she grew comforted. “And grief shall endure not forever, I know; As things that are not shall these things be; We shall live through seasons of sun and of snow, And none be grievous as this to me. We shall hear, as one in a trance that hears The sound of time, the rhyme of the years; Wrecked hope and passionate pain will grow As tender things of a springtide sea.” * * * * * Stuart left his room early, and, despite the cold, gloomy morning, made his way into the grounds to think and nerve himself for the coming ordeal. He looked pale and wan; his eyes had never closed all night, his restless thoughts had never left him. His task was ended, he told himself--his cousin was found. He must just state the truth, and then go away from her fair, false sweetness back to the long, straight path of duty, back to the woman who had loved him so long and so well, back to his pledged word and the burden of life. He was walking to and fro beneath the leafless trees, his heart almost as dead and withered as the leaves beneath his feet, when a cheery voice hailed him, and, turning, he saw the earl. “You are out early, Crosbie,” cried Lord Court, as he approached. “I saw you from my windows.” Then, in a tone of surprise, he added: “But you look ill. Is anything the matter?” “I did not sleep well,” returned Stuart, hurriedly, “for I have had a shock. I am going to tell you all about it.” “A shock!” repeated the earl, with a smile. “Don’t say the manor is haunted. I believe it is most unorthodox not to have a family ghost, but I have never heard yet that we have one.” “It is not a ghost--it is a reality! I meant to have spoken to you last night, but I was so surprised that I could hardly realize the truth of what I saw. I will explain now.” “Come indoors,” said Lord Court, looking a little bewildered. “It is sultry out here. Now, Crosbie, I am all attention--begin,” as they entered the house. “You are aware I was about to start for Australia next week. Do you know why?” “No,” answered the earl. “And, to tell you the candid truth, I was just a little puzzled as to the cause of your hasty departure.” “It was to fulfill a wish of my dead cousin, Douglas Gerant. He left a daughter; it was in search of her I was to sail on Thursday next.” “A daughter! Why, I never knew Gerant was married!”