'M.

de Chateauvieux sent me to you at once, that you should not hear in any other way.

But it must be a shock to you--for you loved her!' 'Oh!' she cried, interrupting him, speaking in short, gasping words, and answering not so much his words as his look.

'She is ill--she is in danger--something has happened ?' 'I was summoned on Wednesday,' said Kendal, helpless after all in the grip of the truth which would not be managed or controlled.

'When I got there she had been two days ill, and there was no hope.' He paused; her eyes of agonised questioning implored him to go on.