"It seems, Kate," said he, with all the calmness he could assume--"at least they are trying to prove--that our branch of the family has succeeded to the property prematurely--that there is living an heir of the elder branch--that his case has been taken up by powerful friends; and--let me tell you the worst at once--even the lawyers consulted by Mr. Parkinson on my behalf, take a most alarming view of the possibilities of the case that may be brought against us"---- "But is mamma provided for?" whispered Miss Aubrey, almost inarticulately. "When I look at her again, I shall drop at her feet insensible!" "No, no, Kate, you won't! Heaven will give you strength," said her brother, in a tremulous voice. "Remember, my only sister--my dearest Kate! you must support _me_ in my trouble, as I will support you--we will try to support each other"---- "We will--we will!" interrupted Miss Aubrey--instantly checking, however, her rising excitement. "You bear it bravely, my noble girl!" said Mr. Aubrey, fondly, after a brief interval of silence. She turned from him her head, and moved her hand--in deprecation of expressions which might utterly unnerve her. Then she convulsively clasped her hands over her forehead; and, after a minute or two, turned towards him with tears in her eyes, but tranquillized features. The struggle had been dreadful, though brief--her noble spirit had recovered itself. ----'T was like some fair bark, in mortal conflict with the black and boiling waters and howling hurricane; long quivering on the brink of destruction, but at last outliving the storm, righting itself, and suddenly gliding into safe and tranquil waters!---- The distressed brother and sister sat conversing for a long time, frequently in tears, but with infinitely greater calmness and firmness than could have been expected. They agreed that Dr. Tatham should very early in the morning be sent for, and implored to take upon himself the bitter duty of breaking the matter as gradually and safely as possible to Mrs. Aubrey; its effects upon whom, her children anticipated with the most vivid apprehension. They both considered that an event of such publicity and importance could not possibly remain long unknown to her, and that it was, on the whole, better that the dreaded communication should be got over as soon as possible. They then retired--Kate to a sleepless pillow, and her brother to spend a greater portion of the night in attempts to soothe and console his suffering wife; each of them having first knelt in humble reverence, and poured forth the breathings of a stricken and bleeding heart, before Him who hath declared that he is ever present to HEAR and to ANSWER prayer. Ah! who can tell what a day or an hour may bring forth? * * * * *