“And, then, in a paroxysm of grief, added, “‘I—have—for—years!’ “Lady Bray’s breast heaved with strong emotions. “She conquered them after a quiet struggle, and, smiling with compassion on her cousin, drew her quivering form still closer to her, until poor child-like Clare, wearied with weeping, rested her head on her cousin’s breast, and went to sleep. “Lady Bray lay awake hour after hour thinking, and could not sleep. “She prayed for it, but it came not. “Racked with conflicting thoughts she lived part of her life over again, and resolved to forget all about it. “‘I thought so,’ she mused. ‘Clare could not disguise it from me. I saw it long ago; but it can never be. No! it can never be, even if he lives! “‘What pain she must have suffered to-night! How strong is the heart beating in that pale, fragile frame? “‘No, no, Clare. Sleep on, sweet cousin; but heaven guide your heart aright, and prepare it for disappointments and trials, for they will surely come.’ “And so passed the night until the sun began to gild the eastern clouds, and even then Lady Bray lay awake, watching the curtains moving in the breeze. “The night had been an anxious one at Lord Stoner’s. All had retired as usual, and, save the lights in his daughter’s room, with moving figures reflected on the blinds, all was still. “Dr. Newman had arrived long ago, and after consulting, both medical gentlemen began operating on the scarcely breathing, inanimate student. “After difficulty and much effusion of blood the bullet was extracted, and the wound bandaged. “Everything had been made as comfortable as possible, and the doctors had retired, leaving Ashton, the student, and Susan, the servant, to attend till morning. “‘How is he getting on, Ashton?’ asked old Temple, noiselessly entering the room, and whispering. “‘They didn’t say anything of importance; I only caught two or three words at parting. “‘Desperate!’ said one. “‘Yes; but not mortal, I think,’ added the other. ‘He is very young, tough, and strong, and will recover, I think.’ “‘Good news,’ responded Temple. ‘Let’s have a look at him.’ “And he took the candle and looked at the sleeper, who seemed to breathe freely, with his long hair thrown from his forehead, which was as pale as snow. “‘Look you here, Ashton,’ went on the colonel, drawing his chair very close, and speaking in whispers, ‘this was a foul piece of work, and there must have been some reason for it. You are his friend; you and he have associated for years. Can you guess the person or the cause of all this?’ “‘It is a difficult matter to say. I have very good reasons to suppose it was premeditated; but by whom I cannot imagine.’ “‘You seem to speak mysteriously. Why not talk plainly?’ “‘Well, then, colonel, to speak plainly, I cannot, and must not, if I would. My great surprise is that I was not also a victim.’ “‘You a victim? Why, you speak strangely, as if there existed some conspiracy. I cannot understand it.’