“Oh, Henry! don’t! don’t!” uttered in tones the most agonizing.  They also heard the words, “For the sake of our dear, dear Willy!” used in some appeal.

Both Edith and Miriam were terribly frightened, and sat panting and looking at each other with pale faces.

All now became silent.  Not a sound could be heard in the chamber save an occasional low sob.  For half an hour this silence continued.  Then the door of the chamber was opened, and Marion went down stairs.  The closing of the front door announced his departure from the house.  Edith and her sister sat listening for some minutes after Marion had left, but not a movement could they perceive in the adjoining chamber.

“Strange!  What can it mean?” at length said Miriam, in a husky whisper.  Edith breathed heavily to relieve the pressure on her bosom, but made no answer.

“He didn’t strike her?” said Miriam, her face growing paler as she made this suggestion.

The moment this was uttered, Edith arose quickly and moved towards the door.

“Where are you going?” asked her sister.

“Into Mrs. Marion’s room.”

“Oh no, don’t!” returned Miriam, speaking from some vague fear that made her heart shrink.

But Edith did not heed the words.  Her light tap at Mrs. Marion’s door was not answered.  Opening it softly, she stepped within the chamber.  On the bed, where she had evidently thrown herself, lay Mrs. Marion; and, on approaching and bending over her, Edith discovered that she was sleeping.  On perceiving this, she retired as noiselessly as she had entered.

Ten, eleven, twelve o’clock came; and yet Mr. Marion had not returned.  An hour later than this, Edith and her sister lay awake, but up to that time he was still away.  On the next morning, when the bell rang for breakfast, and the family assembled at the table, the places of Mr. and Mrs. Marion were vacant.  From their nurse it was ascertained that Mr. Marion had not come home since he went out on the evening before, and that his wife had not yet arisen.  Between nine and ten o’clock, Mrs. Darlington sent up to know if Mrs. Marion wished any thing, but was answered in the negative.  At dinner time Mr. Marion did not make his appearance, and his wife remained in her chamber.  Food was sent to her, but it was returned untasted.

During the afternoon, Mrs. Darlington knocked at her door, but the nurse said that Mrs. Marion asked to be excused from seeing her.  At supper time food was sent again to her room; but, save part of a cup of tea, nothing was tasted.  After tea, Mrs. Darlington called again at her room, but the desire to be excused from seeing her was repeated.  Marion did not return that night.

Nearly a week passed, the husband still remaining away, and not once during that time had Mrs. Marion been seen by any member of the family.  At the end of this period, she sent word to Mrs. Darlington that she would be glad to see her.