“A friend,” was the laconic reply, as he walked rapidly away, muttering to himself, “A pretty scrape St. Claire is getting himself into.  Poor Arthur, poor Arthur.”

It would seen that Edith, too, was imbued with something of the spirit which prompted him to say, “Poor Arthur,” for she involuntarily sighed, and casting another glance at the windows of the den, gave loose rein to Bedouin and galloped swiftly down the road.

The next morning was clear and bright, and as Richard felt the bracing air, he said to her, “We will visit Grassy Spring to-day.  It’s time you gave it a little air.”

The carriage was accordingly brought out, and in half an hour’s time Richard and Edith were treading the deserted rooms, into which they let the warm sunlight by opening wide the windows, all save those of one chamber.  Edith did not go near the Den, and she marvelled that Arthur should have given her its key, indicating which it was.  She did not know that the rather peculiar young man had lain for her a snare, by which means he would surely know how far her curiosity had led her.  He might have spared himself the trouble, for Edith was the soul of honor, and nothing could have induced her to cross the proscribed threshold.

“It’s very pleasant here, isn’t it?” Richard asked, as they went from one room to another, and he felt the soft carpets yield to his tread.

“Yes,” she answered; “but not as pleasant as Collingwood.  I like my own home best,” and she looked into his face in time to catch the expression she loved so well—­an expression of trusting, childlike happiness, touching to behold in a strong man.

He liked to know that Edith was contented with Collingwood; contented with him; and he hoped it would be so always.  He could not bear the thought that he had suffered every fibre of his heart to twine and intertwine themselves around her, only to be one day broken and cast bleeding at his feet.  But somehow, here at Grassy Spring, in the home of Arthur St. Claire, he felt oppressed with a dread lest this thing should be; and to Edith, when she asked what made him so pale, he said,

“It’s close in here, I think.  Let’s hurry out into the open air.”

She led him to an iron chair beneath a forest maple, and leaving him there alone went back to close the windows she had opened.  One of those in the drawing-room resisted all her efforts for a time, but came down at last with a bang, causing her to start, and hit her foot against a frame which she had not before observed, but which she now saw was a portrait standing in the dark corner with its face against the wall.

“Truly there can be no harm in looking at this,” she thought, and turning it to the light she stepped back to examine it.

’Twas the picture of a black-eyed, black-haired child—­a little girl, scarcely three years old, judging from the baby face, and the fat, dimpled hands turning so earnestly the leaves of a picture book.  One tiny foot was bare, and one encased in a red morocco shoe.