"It would be for Leo's happiness could she say truly that she could love and honour Horace North," Mary whispered at last; "but it will never be, Hartley. Leo will never marry as we wish." "I'm afraid not," said Salis sadly; "and the more I think of it, the more it seems to me that you have hit upon North's trouble. Leo's anxiety about that scoundrel has disgusted poor Horace. What shall I do?" "Your friend is ill," said Mary sadly; "act as a friend should. Leave the rest: we can do nothing there." "My poor darling!" said Salis, "you are the good angel of our little home. There, I'll go to North at once." Meanwhile a conversation was going on in Leo's room. She had suffered intensely during the past few days, which had seemed to her like months of suspense and agony. Every stroke at the door had seemed to be a visitor to expose her to her brother, or else she believed it was North coming to reproach her; and, though she told herself that she would be defiant and could tell him he was mad ever to have thought about her, she shivered at each step upon the gravel. The scene in the vestry had shaken her nerves terribly. The news of Tom Candlish's serious injuries had added to her trouble; and, combined with this, there was the horrible suspense as to her lover's state. In a way, she was a prisoner, and any attempt to hear news of the sufferer at the Hall would bring down upon her an angry reproof from her brother. After the news of his state, Tom Candlish's name was not mentioned at the Rectory. She dared not ask or show by word or look the anxiety she felt, and yet there were times when she would have given years of her life for a few words of tidings. Unable to bear the suspense any longer, and after thinking of a dozen schemes, she at last decided upon one, which was the most unlucky she could have devised. It was the nearest to her hand, and, in quite a gambling spirit, she snatched at it recklessly. She was in her room, reading, when Dally entered. "Is my brother in?" she said quietly. "Yes, miss; along with Miss Mary, talking." "Are you very busy, Dally?" "Yes, miss, 'most worked to death," said the girl tartly. "But a walk would do you good, Dally. Would you take a note for me?" "Take a note, miss?" said Dally with her eyes twinkling; "oh, of course, miss! I'll go and ask Miss Mary to let me go!" "No, no--stop, you foolish girl!" said Leo, with a half laugh. "There, I'll be plain with you. I don't want my sister to know. You would take a letter for me to Mrs Berens, Dally?" "Master said I was never to take any notes for anybody," said Dally sharply. "But you will make an exception, Dally! Take a note for me, and bring me an answer, and I will give you a sovereign." "To Mrs Berens, miss?" Leo looked at her meaningly, and the girl returned the gaze. "Very well, miss; I'll take it," she said. "Must I go right to the Hall?"