“But I have never seen a moment of happiness since.  Remorse has preyed on me like a worm, and once before this I have been brought face to face with death.  Now I am going where I sent him!  God be merciful!”

“Amen!” responded Louis, fervently.

It was very still in the room.  Castrani sat by the bedside, waiting for her to speak.  She was silent so long he thought she slept, and stooped over to ascertain.  Yes, she did sleep.  In this world she would never waken more!

* * * * *

Castrani remained in Boston, and saw the remains of the unfortunate Arabel Vere consigned to decent burial, and, that duty accomplished, he took the first train for Lightfield.  He had in his possession a document which would clear Archer Trevlyn from the foul crime of which he stood convicted in the mind of Margaret Harrison, and, aside from his desire to see justice rendered the man whom he had grown to consider a very dear friend, Castrani felt that it would make Margaret happier to know that the one she had loved and trusted so entirely once, was innocent of the crime imputed to him.

It was sunset when he reached the dwelling of Nurse Day.  Margaret was sitting on the veranda, with Leo by her side.  The hound ran down to the gate, to give the visitor a joyful greeting, and Margaret descended the steps and held out her hand.  She was very kind, almost cordial, for she respected Castrani with her whole heart, and she was pleased to see him.

“I am very glad to see you, Mr. Castrani,” she remarked, leading him into the sitting-room; “and so, also, will be Nurse Day, when she returns.  She has gone to a prayer-meeting, now.  And I am especially pleased to see you just at this time, because I am thinking of returning to New York, and I hope to persuade you to give me your escort, if it will not be asking too much.”

“To New York?  Indeed that is delightful intelligence for the five hundred dear friends who have deplored your absence so long!  I had feared sometimes, that you intended to remain here always.”

“I almost wish I could—­life has been so peaceful here.  But I must go back sooner or later, as well now as at any time.  I think I am strong enough to bear it,” she added, sadly.

“Miss Harrison, I want to tell you a story.”

She drew back from the hand he laid on hers, and her air became cold and repelling.  He divined her fears, and smiled a melancholy smile.

“No, not that.  Do not fear.  I shall never again trouble you with the story of my unfortunate passion.  I must go through life without the blessing that would have made this world a paradise.  It is not that of which I speak, and you need have no apprehension for the future.  God helping me, I will never say to you a single word that a brother might not say to a dearly-beloved sister.”

She put her hand into his.

“I wish I could love you, Louis Castrani,” she said, solemnly.  “You deserve my heart’s best affections; but for me love is over!  I have had my day, and it is set.  But you shall be my brother my dear, kind brother, Louis!  Oh, it is sweet to know that in this false world there is one heart loyal and true!”