“‘I don’t know how the case stands, but it looks an ugly wound, very, and the doctor shakes his head ominously. I would give ten thousand pounds on the spot to “string up” the rascal who did it. “‘Here we are, girls, home at last. I know you must be fatigued, both of you;’ and as he handed them from the carriage, he kissed them affectionately, and they immediately retired to their room. “‘Jack,’ said the colonel to a servant, seating himself on the moonlit verandah, and lighting his pipe, ‘bring me a cup of wine—that’s it. You acted well to-night, and I shan’t forget it. It was “Pink,” you say, who first discovered him, eh? Lucky it was so, or he would have sunk for a certainty. Well, look here, Jack, you and Ike sit up to-night. I’m going to Lord Stoner’s again, and if Miss Clare wants to see me in the morning, tell her I shall be back by breakfast.’ “Calling the hound, ‘Pink,’ the old man shouldered his double barrel shot gun, and went to Lord Stoner’s by the forest path, lingering by the bridge for some time in deep thought. “The breeze of early morning began to blow, and early cocks crew salutations that echoed far and near on the quiet landscape. “Hour followed hour, and neither Clare nor Lady Bray could sleep. “Clare had prayed longer than usual, and courted sleep, but it came not. “Lady Bray, on the contrary, had sat in an arm chair, thinking of all manner of things, and pacing her room to and fro. “At last she went to Clare’s door, and tapped and entered. “‘Oh, Clare,’ she said, seating herself on the bedside, ‘I feel so miserable! I cannot tell why it is; but that poor youth is always before my eyes! Oh! I am glad you did not see the sight (Clare had done so), it was awful! All his clothes were wet and dirty and bloody, and his face like marble. Oh! what a horrible crime it was! I cannot sleep for thinking of it! Let me lie with you, Clare.’ “And both cousins lay side by side. “‘What is the matter, Clare?’ said Lady Bray, who felt tear-drops falling on her hand. ‘You are weeping!’ “Clare, who had not spoken, was struggling desperately to conceal her emotion; but nature was strong, and she burst out passionately in sobs. “‘Oh! cousin, forgive me! I cannot be a hypocrite longer! You, who tells me everything, would not guess how or what I have concealed. Oh! had it been Heaven’s will I would died rather than this should have happened to him!’ “Lady Bray passed her arm round the sobbing girl, and drew still closer to her, listening breathlessly to all that flowed from her as she went on passionately and rapidly, “‘I never knew till now how much I could feel; but it is too much. I have concealed my thoughts from all. I have worn a mask, but now it falls from my face in an unexpected and unlooked-for moment.’ “Lady Bray rose on her elbow, and looked at the tear-moistened face of her pale, sobbing cousin, and after some time asked, with unnatural calmness, “‘Do you——’ “‘Oh! cousin, do not torture me!’