"She made one step towards me and seized me by the wrist. 'Janet,' she said, 'I will do it.' And she did it that day. At present there is no House of Martha." I sat and gazed at Miss Laniston without comprehending what I had heard. "No House of Martha!" I ejaculated. "That is precisely the state of the case," she answered; "the establishment was dissolved at noon yesterday. As I had had all the trouble of bringing this thing about, I considered that I had a right to tell you of it myself. I thought it would interest me to see how you took it." I rose to my feet; I stepped towards her. "No House of Martha," I gasped,--"and Sylvia?" "Sylvia will go home to her mother, so she told me yesterday. I was present at the dissolution. I think she will probably come to the city this afternoon." I snatched up my hat. "I must go to her instantly," I said. "I must see her before she reaches her mother. I have lost time already." "Upon my word!" exclaimed Miss Laniston, "your way of taking it is indeed interesting. Not a word of thanks, not a sign of recognition"-- I had nearly reached the door, but now rushed back and seized her by the hand. "Excuse me," I said, "but you can see for yourself"--and with one violent shake I dropped her hand, and hurried away. "Oh, yes," she cried, "I can easily see for myself," and as I left the house I heard her hearty laugh. I sprang into my cab, ordering the man to drive fast for the railroad station. It mattered not to me whether Walkirk went to Europe or not. All I cared for was to catch the next train which would take me to Arden. XLVIII. IN A COLD, BARE ROOM. When I reached Arden I took one of the melancholy vehicles which stand at our station, and very much astonished the driver by ordering him to take me, not to my own home, but to the House of Martha. "You know they're busted up, sir," said the man, turning to me, as his old horse hurried us along at the best of his speed. "But the sisters have not left?" I eagerly asked. "Not all," he said, "but two or three of them went down this morning." "Drive on quicker," I replied, "I am in a hurry." The man gave the horse a crack with his whip, which made no difference whatever in our rate of speed, and said:-- "If you've got a bill agin any of them, sir, you needn't worry. The Mother is still there, and she's all right, you know." "Bill? Nonsense!" said I. "I'm sorry they're busted," said the man; "they didn't do much hackin', but they give us a lot of haulin' from the station."