Fanny buried her face, in her hands and wept violently. The trial and conflict of that week were, to Mrs. Markland, the severest, perhaps, of her whole life. Never before had her mind been in so confused a state; never had the way of duty seemed so difficult to find. A promise she felt to be a sacred thing; and this feeling had constrained her, even in the face of most powerful considerations, to remain true to her word. But now, she no longer doubted or hesitated; and she was counting the hours that must elapse before her husband's return from the city, eager to unburden her heart to him. "There is hardly time," said Fanny, "for a letter to arrive from Mr. Lyon." "I cannot help it, my child. Any further delay on my part would be criminal. Evil, past all remedy, may have already been done." "I only asked for time, that Mr. Lyon might have an opportunity to write to father, and explain every thing himself." "Probably your father has heard from him to-day. If so, well; but, if not, I shall certainly bring the matter to his knowledge." There was something so decisive about Mrs. Markland, that Fanny ceased all further attempts to influence her, and passively awaited the issue. The sun had only a few degrees to make ere passing from sight behind the western mountains. It was the usual time for Mr. Markland's return from the city, and most anxiously was his appearing looked for. But the sun went down, and the twilight threw its veil over wood and valley, and still his coming was delayed. He had gone in by railroad, and not by private conveyance as usual. The latest train had swept shrieking past, full half an hour, when Mrs. Markland turned sadly from the portico, in which she had for a long time been stationed, saying to Grace, who had been watching by her side-- "This is very strange! What can keep Edward? Can it be possible that he has remained in the city all night? I'm very much troubled. He may be sick." "More likely," answered Grace, in a fault-finding way, "he's gone _trapseing_ off to New York again, after that Englishman's business. I wish he would mind his own affairs." "He would not have done this without sending us word," replied Mrs. Markland. "Oh! I'm not so sure of that. I'm prepared for any thing." "But it's not like Edward. You know that he is particularly considerate about such things." "He used to be. But Edward Markland of last year is not the Edward Markland of to-day, as you know right well," returned the sister-in-law. "I wish you wouldn't speak in that way about Edward any more, Grace. It is very unpleasant to me." "The more so, because it is the truth," replied Grace Markland. "Edward, I'll warrant you, is now sweeping off towards New York. See if I'm not right." "No, there he is now!" exclaimed Mrs. Markland, stepping back from the door she was about to enter, as the sound of approaching feet arrested her ear. The two women looked eagerly through the dusky air. A man's form was visible. It came nearer.