“Of course I meant it, and I will not go back till it is done.”

“Well, well, you must have your own way, I see!” and with a gay, exulting smile he led me into the office.

I signed the paper giving to him the house and lands, and was glad when it was done, for I felt that it might atone for any suspicion or doubt of his goodness which had crossed my mind, for he had made me very happy since our marriage.

I returned to my school and its duties.  In the interval between the recitations, I had time to reflect.  I had acted impulsively, and perhaps unfairly.  What right had I to give away a property given to me for an especial purpose?

Had I done right?  That was the question which annoyed me—­the question which constantly thrust itself before me during the live-long day.  My sleep that night was disturbed.  The form of the elder Mr. Bristed appeared in my dreams.  He seemed to reproach me by his looks, and when I endeavored to speak to him, vanished from my sight.

Richard had left me after my signing the paper.  He told me he was obliged to leave town on business, and I had no one to council with.  My own thoughts startled me; I became nervous, and finally quite ill.

CHAPTER XV.

At length, after two days of unrest and self-condemnation, I quieted myself with the assurance that I would go to the Hall and see Mr. Bristed; then also I could see dear Herbert, to whom my heart went often out with longing.  His name was never mentioned between Richard and myself.  I avoided the subject; a dread which I could not overcome forbade me to speak of it.  But now a strange, irrepressible desire to see the child filled my mind.

Yielding to this intense feeling, I arranged my affairs, and taking a coach, set off early in the morning for the train which would convey me to Bristed Hall.  To my astonishment I met Richard at the depot.  Overwhelmed with surprise at the encounter, and ashamed to confess my intended journey, I made some petty excuse for being there, and returned home again.  Richard handed me into the cab, but excused himself from accompanying me as he had a friend awaiting him.

That day, after luncheon, taking me aside he informed me that a noble lord had placed in his charge a lad who was partially idiotic and sole heir to an immense estate; that it was necessary he should have at his disposal a room in the upper part of the building in which he could keep him from observation, as it had been discovered the sight of strangers increased the boy’s malady, and perfect seclusion would be the only means of restoring him to reason.

I immediately directed a servant to put in order one of the rooms in a remote portion of the dwelling; this was done, and towards dusk Richard, who had left the house, returned in a handsome coach with the poor, helpless, deranged boy.  From the window I saw them alight.  A slight, tall figure, wrapped in a cloak, descended from the coach.  This undoubtedly was the afflicted youth.  He walked so feebly I should have hastened to his assistance, but Richard’s command that I should not permit him to see strange faces withheld me.