"I am very anxious to know how you met him on his return." "There was no one in the house except myself, and Benton, who was now quite well again for the time. I was standing by the dining-room window, arranging some ferns in a hanging basket, and Benton was amusing himself with toys the boarders were always giving him. I heard a footstep, and turned my head slightly to see who it was. Mr. Seabrook stood in the door, regarding us with a pleased smile. "'How is my wife and boy?' he said, cheerily, advancing towards me, and proffering a kiss of greeting. "I put up my hand to ward him off, and my heart stood motionless. I seemed to be struck with a chill. My teeth chattered together, while the ends of my fingers turned cold at once. "Naturally, he was surprised; but thinking perhaps that the suddenness of his return, under the circumstances, had overcome me, he quickly recovered his tenderness of manner. "'Have I frightened you, my darling?' he asked, putting out his arms to fold me to his breast. Not being able to speak, I whirled round rapidly, and hastened to place the table between us. Of course, he could not comprehend such conduct, but thought it some nervous freak, probably. "Turning to Benton, he took him up in his arms and kissed him, asking him some questions about himself and toys. 'Could you tell me what is the matter with your mamma, Bennie?' he asked, seeing that my manner remained inexplicable. "'I tink see has a till,' answered Benton, who by this time knew the meaning of the word 'chill' by experience. "'She has given _me_ one, I know,' said Mr. Seabrook, regarding me curiously. I began to feel faint, and sat down, leaning my head on my hand, my elbow on the table. "'Anna,' said he, addressing me by my Christian name for the first time, and giving me a little shock in consequence--for I had almost forgotten I had ever been called 'Anna'--'if I am so disagreeable to you, I will go away again; though I certainly had reason to expect a different reception.' "'No,' I said, suddenly rousing up; 'you must not go until I have told you something; unless you go to stay--which would perhaps be best.' "'To stay! go to stay? There seems great need of explanation here. Will you be good enough to tell me why I am to go away to stay?' "'The reason is, Mr. Seabrook,' I answered, 'that your true wife, and your own children expect you at home, in Ohio.' "I had worded my answer with the intention of shocking the truth out of him, if possible. If he should be innocent, I thought, he would forgive me. There was too much at stake to stand upon niceties of speech; and I watched him narrowly." "How did he receive such a blow as that? I am curious to know how guilty people act, on being accused."