Eugene Hungerford rose early that morning, and walked through the Pine Hill grounds. The improvements had all been made in accordance with the plans, and though he ought to have been delighted with the appearance of the place, he was as devoid of enthusiasm in the presence of his realized ideal as though he had no part or lot in it. He was still thinking of Mary, and considering the plan by which her wounds were to be healed. After breakfast he was closeted in the office with Dick, who insisted that he should examine his papers and accounts. Eugene glanced at the balance in the Poppleton Bank, and at the total of his agent’s expenditures during his absence. He manifested no interest in the model houses, and as soon as possible changed the topic to the one which had occupied his thoughts all the morning. At eleven o’clock, when Dr. Bilks drove up to the door, they were still engaged in discussing this interesting question. Dr. Bilks was admitted at once, and duly introduced to Eugene, who had already been informed of the doctor’s kindness and care for poor Mary during her illness. There was no better passport to the favor of the disappointed lover than acts of this description. “And how is your patient now, Dr. Bilks?” asked Eugene, after he had cordially greeted the physician. “She was not so well when I visited her this morning,” replied the doctor, in a subdued and rather embarrassed tone, as though he was not willing to tell the whole truth at once. “Is she worse?” demanded Eugene. “Not absolutely worse; but she was in a state of high nervous excitement,” added Dr. Bilks, looking with apparent interest and sympathy at Eugene. “Of course you must have heard what happened on The Great Bell last night.” “No; what was it?” asked Eugene, in breathless anxiety. It may seem strange that, at this hour, he had not heard what had happened on The Great Bell; but, as Pine Hill was a mile from the Port, and neither Dick Birch nor himself had been off the place, the news had not reached those who were most interested. “Mr. Buckstone visited Mary last evening,” continued the doctor, cautiously feeling his way, before he imparted the news. “Buckstone!” “Yes, sir.” “Was it that which made Mary worse?” “Not that alone. Her brother unfortunately saw him.” “I feared it,” said Eugene, nervously. “I hope nothing serious occurred.” “Nothing more serious could have occurred.” “Good Heaven! You don’t mean----” Eugene paused and trembled. “Ross is a terrible fellow in his anger,” added Dr. Bilks. “What did he do?” demanded Eugene. “He found Buckstone over by the cliff, and struck him a blow which felled him to the ground.” “Did it kill him?” asked Eugene, shuddering. “Perhaps not; but Ross then threw him over the cliff into the river.” “O Heaven! This is terrible! I ought not to have permitted Ross to leave me after what he said.”