"Grief never kills in that way, though it may by slow degrees," said Lady Castleton, with a deep sigh. "It will, however, be kind in you to do as you propose; will you drive or ride over to Downside?" Julia determined to ride; the air and exercise would nerve her for the trying interview. Why had not Headland written though? probably he had been prevented by his professional duties. Attended by the old coachman who generally accompanied her with one of the carriage horses, she reached Downside. May hurried out to meet her. Julia could scarcely restrain her agitation, or keep back her tears, as May, with an inquiring glance, led her into the drawing-room where Miss Mary and Miss Jane were seated. "What has happened?" asked May, in an agitated voice, taking Julia's hand, who sank into a chair. "I will speak to cousin Jane first," said Julia, as she rose. Unable longer to restrain her feelings, she threw her arms round May's neck, and burst into tears. "What has happened?" exclaimed May, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Oh tell me, has Harry been wounded? is he in danger?" Julia's sobs prevented her from replying. Miss Jane believing the worst, led May to the sofa as if she considered that Julia's information most concerned her. "We must all live prepared to say `thy will be done,'" said Miss Jane, seating herself by May's side, and taking her in her arms. The colour forsook May's cheek, and she gazed at her with a glance that showed she was unable to comprehend what was said. "Where is Harry? is he ill?" she gasped out. Julia feeling that it would be best at once to speak, told May the contents of Sir Ralph's letter. "Let me see it," she said at length. Julia, who had brought it, put it into her hands. "I cannot, I will not believe that he is lost," she exclaimed; "your father himself is not certain. He will come back, I know he will, and he must never, never go to sea again. How cruel in those who have thus written to say that he is lost when they cannot know it;" and poor May laughed hysterically. Julia forgot her own grief in attending to her. Miss Jane did her utmost to restore her to herself. She succeeded at length, and May was able to speak calmly of the contents of the letter. She even inspired Miss Jane with the hope that Harry and his ship had escaped destruction. Julia rode back to Texford with her own mind greatly relieved. May had borne the intelligence much better than she had expected, and she trusted that her father had too readily believed the report of Harry's loss. She resolved, at all events, not to credit it till she had heard directly from Captain Headland, and she fully believed that she should ere long receive intelligence from him, which would either contradict the report altogether, or strengthen their hopes that Harry, though he might have been in danger, had escaped.