The Shadow of a Sin

he knew it was Clare's death-warrant. They tried to break it to her ve

; "I knew that I shoul

was very quiet, very patient, but the light on her face was not of this world. She lay

better to-

ndall," she said smiling; "

one from her-the tender arms had relaxed their

acinth devolved upon her grandmother. It was a dreary home for a child: the rooms were always shaded by trees, and the sombre carvings, the satyr heads, the laughing fauns,

y day. They loved the child, yet the sight of her was always painful to them, reminding them so forcibly of what they had lost. They reared her in the same precise, formal manner in

a child, longed for the society of children. At certain times she was gravely told to play. She had a doll and a Noah's ark; and with these she amused herself alone for long hours. As for the graces, the fancies, the wants, the requirements of chil

runed, as she imagined, all the excess of imagination and romance. She might as well have tried to prevent the roses from blooming, the dew from falling, or the leaves from springing. All that she succeeded in was in making the child keep her thoughts and fa

er great love of poetry and beauty, her great love of ideality, had been watched and allowed for-the one great error that darkened her life would never have been committed. But none of this was done. She was literally afraid to

om Oakton, and she found a key that fitted the library door. How often had she stood against the library windows, looking through them, and longing to open

would quietly unlock it, and take one of the books nearest to her without fear of its being missed, for Sir Arthur seldom entered the room. In this fashion she read many books that were valuable, instructive, and am

the most curious collection of poetry and romance, the most curious notions of right and wrong, the most un

the very thought was so beautiful, so bewildering, that her pulse thrilled and her heart beat as she dreamed of it. Would she ever find her way into that dazzling world, or would she be obliged to live here always, shut up with these old, formal people, amid the quaint carvings and giant trees?

er room-she wished to talk to her. The girl followed her with a weary, hopeless expression on her fa

cture. She sat down in her great easy-chair and pointed to a f

ow; you will be quite a woman soon; and it is time y

learning what it was-something i

ception used toward you. You are the only child of our only son; but i

ase," said Hyacinth timidly. "I s

her hand in very

dowry. I have money of my own, which I intend to leave you. Mr. Adrian Darcy, of whom you have heard me speak, will succeed to Queen's Chase-that is, if no other arrangement tak

this to be her romance? Was this to be the end of all her dreams? Instead

she asked quickly. "I

now upon the Continent, and Sir Arthur thinks a short residence abroad would be very pleasant for us. Adrian Darcy always shows us the greatest respe

t you intend?" sh

not conducted as with the plebeian classes; with us they ar

a diplomatic marr

self; but then, remember, he was in a position to do

entleman; if he likes me he is

of her voice was quit

true Vaughan face, and, thanks to the care with which you have been educated, your mind is not full of nonsense, as is the case with some girls. I thought it better to tell you of this arrangement, so th

nce whether I like this Mr. Dar

nsed with. Well brought up as you have been, you will find no difficulty in carrying out our wishes. Now, draw