It was not an ordinary letter--one in such a shape had never come to her hand before.
"What is that ?" asked her father, coming back as it were to life.
"I don't know," she answered, with an effort to appear indifferent.
Mr.Delancy looked at his daughter with a perplexed manner, and then let his eyes fall upon the legal envelope in her hand, on which a large red seal was impressed.
Rising in a quiet way, Irene left the portico with slow steps; but no sooner was she beyond her father's observation than she moved toward her chamber with winged feet.
"Bless me, Miss Irene!" exclaimed Margaret, who met her on the stairs, "what has happened ?" But Irene swept by her without a response, and, entering her room, shut the door and locked it.

Margaret stood a moment irresolute, and then, going back to her young lady's chamber, knocked for admission.
There was no answer to her summons, and she knocked again.
"Who is it ?" She hardly knew the voice.
"It is Margaret.

Can't I come in ?" "Not now," was answered.
"What's the matter, Miss Irene ?" "Nothing, Margaret.

I wish to be alone now." "Something has happened, though, or you'd never look just like that," said Margaret to herself, as she went slowly down stairs.

"Oh dear, dear! Poor child! there's nothing but trouble for her in this world." It was some minutes before Irene found courage to break the imposing seal and look at the communication within.