"Mrs. Vincent sees well enough I am not a girl to be frightened for words," said the sick woman. "Now, what I want to know is, what has your son to do with it? He's gone off after them, now, for some reason or other; of course I don't expect you to tell me. Perhaps Lady Western has sent him?--never mind, I will find out; but I know it has something to do with Mrs. Hilyard, for they both went off from Carlingford the same day. I have no share in life for myself," said Adelaide, with another keen look at the stranger; "and so, instead of comforting myself that it's all for the best, as papa says, I interfere with my fellow-creatures. Oh, pray, don't be sorry for me! I get on as well as most people. Nobody in this place ever succeeds in concealing anything from me." "Indeed it is a pity when people have anything to conceal," said poor Mrs. Vincent, thinking, with a sensation of deadly sickness at her heart, of the awful secret which was in Mary's keeping, and faltering, in spite of all her self-command. She rose up hurriedly, when she met once more the glance of those sharp eyes: she could not bear that investigation; all her dreadful suspense and excitement seemed to ooze out unawares, and betray themselves; her only safety seemed in flight. "This is a very short visit," said Mr. Tufton. "My dear anxious sister, we can only pray you may be comforted. All things work together for good; you don't need to be told that. It's sure to be for the best, whatever happens: take that consolation to your heart--it's sure to be for the best." "If her daughter dies and her son is dismissed, I wonder will that be for the best?" said Adelaide Tufton, as soon as the widow had left the room. Mrs. Vincent's ears, made acute by suffering, caught enough of this valedictory address to realise, if that were possible, an additional pang. Kind Mrs. Tufton did not hear it, not being in any such state of feverish susceptibility. She, on the contrary, kissed the mother, whom she pitied with all her heart, and entreated her not to worry. "A young healthy girl does not fall ill for nothing. You'll see things will turn out all right," said the kind soul; and Mrs. Vincent went upon her forlorn way.