Marcella was lying on the sofa in the Mellor drawing-room.

The February evening had just been shut out, but she had told William not to bring the lamps till they were rung for.

Even the fire-light seemed more than she could bear.

She was utterly exhausted both in body and mind; yet, as she lay there with shut eyes, and hands clasped under her cheek, a start went through her at every sound in the house, which showed that she was not resting, but listening.

She had spent the morning in the Hurds' cottage, sitting by Mrs.Hurd and nursing the little boy.