"And you are sure they know nothing?" said Anne. "Yes; at least the sister gave us no information, and the brother, as I told you, is a poor ailing creature--half crazy, the people say. He had saved an old man from drowning, shortly before we reached the place, and was very much elated about it." "And their sister?" said Anne. "Their sister was a very gentle, sweet girl--so runs the story--and was much attached to Norman. The news of his flight was carried to her abruptly by some officious person, and the consequence was, that the poor girl broke her heart, and died. It is a very sad story. Alice seemed to be able for nothing but crying when I told her." Anne was ruminating in wonder and doubt--who then was the "Marion?" It was impossible that this truthful, upright Norman should have his troth plighted to two! Impossible that he could play one false! The doubt made her heart sink: the weight of one sin is so much heavier than the burden of a hundred misfortunes. "Now Anne," said Lewis, "what has become of your famous resolution? Has your heart failed you already? I am glad of it: better faint before you enter the wood, than when you are on the way." "I have no idea of fainting at all," said Anne, "unless, indeed, when we have fairly emerged into the clear air again, with Norman honorably in his own house, and Alice at Merkland--I may have leisure for fainting then. Now, Lewis--listen to me, I beg, mother--I want you to consent that I should go to this place--to Aberford--immediately, or if not immediately, at least soon.--Let me have some one with me--May would do, or old Esther Fleming. I can take quiet lodgings and live there, professedly for the sake of sea air, if, indeed, any pretence is necessary. Once there, with no other claim on my time, and patience enough to bear any ordinary disagreeables, I may make quiet, noiseless unsuspected investigations. Let me try; the matter is of consequence to us all, and the expense will not be great. I beg that I may not be hindered from making this endeavor; it may produce something--and if it does not, there is nothing lost." "Upon my word you take it very coolly," said Mrs. Ross. "I should like to know why my son's means should be wasted in such an absurd expedition. You will never make anything of it, it is quite nonsense: besides, the idea of a girl going away from home, and living alone, engaged in such a search!--perfectly improper! I am amazed at you, Anne!" Anne blushed deeply. It might, indeed, be called improper and indecorous, and she was not given to neglect the veriest outer garment and vesture of good fame; but for this, a matter so very dear and precious, involving so many interests, a mere punctilio might surely be disregarded--a ceremonial dispensed with.