The shadows of great trees were over us; but I had leaned back in my corner, and did not note them. Yes! I remembered that the public road crossed the very end of that stately grand old avenue--how slowly we were passing it! how long the overarching branches shadowed the carriage! and the air grew closer, as if something interrupted it very near. I did not look up, a strange fascination overpowered me--a moment more, and the carriage wheeled round into an open space and stopt. Almost before they drew up, Harry leaped from my side. Then he came round, threw the door open, held out his arm to me to lift me out--how his arms trembled--how hot his breath came upon my cheek--I could scarcely recognise his hurried, trembling, agitated voice, "Hester--welcome home." Home! the great hall door stood open--the moon came out from behind a cloud to throw a momentary gleam upon the house. Home! I thrust him away, and sprang to the ground without his aid. He stood where I had left him, drawing back, following me with his eyes, and pale as marble. I stood alone, gazing up at the sculptured emblems upon the door. In a moment, in a flood of despair and bitterness, the truth rushed upon me--I had been trapped and betrayed--deceived like a fool--and every one had known the man but I--I saw it all at a glance--I was his wife! his wife! and he had brought me home. In that wild moment, I cannot tell the impulses of frenzy which possessed me. To escape--to rush away from him, over the pathless, featureless country--through the darkness and the night--to be lost somewhere for ever and for ever, never to come to his knowledge more--to die upon this threshold and never enter it. It was vain! I was roused to a sense of my true circumstances when I saw a band of servants curtseying and gaping at me in the hall. My pride came to my aid, my very passion supported me. I went in with a firm deliberate step, bowing to them, and passed to the room which had been our dining-parlor, and from which there was a glimmer of light. I had not looked towards him, but I heard his step following me. I entered the room, it was very bright and cheerful, well-lighted with a ruddy fire, and tea upon the table. The glow of warmth and comfort in it struck me with an indignant sense of my own sudden misery. He had put me without the pale of enjoyment, I thought, for ever. I did not take off my bonnet--I stood in the glow of the firelight, turning my face to him as he came eagerly up to me. I stopped him as he began to speak. "There is no need--no need!" said I, "I see your mystery--pray do not speak to me--do not drive me mad to-night." He turned away from me, clasping his hands with a passionate exclamation--then he came back: "I deserve your reproaches, Hester, do not spare them! but think what you said to me not half an hour ago--you are my wife." "Your wife--your wife--yes! there is the sting," I said with a wild outburst, "his wife, and it is for ever!"