The Solitary Farm

given by Bella, her lover could have explained much-at least, she gathered this from the hints his broken conversation gave. After his departure, she sat weeping, until it struck her

clue which he had left thus abruptly to follow up. Sooner or later

e likeness of the double-whomsoever he might be-to her lover, she could scarcely regard herself as having been foolish. Nine people out of ten would have made the same mistake, and would have harboured similar doubts. Certainly, seeing that she loved Cyril devotedly, she should have been the tenth; but in the hour of trial her faith had proved very weak.

ace, his large, blue eyes, and his curly, golden hair. His body was well-shaped all save the right foot, which was twisted and the leg of which was shorter than the other. Like Talleyrand and Lord Byron, the young man was club-footed, but otherwise had a very attractive personality. From his delicate fingers, it could be seen that he was a musician, and he had an air of refinement astonishing in one of his breeding and birt

ich she had just discovered after his death. "He meant well, did poor, dear Jabez," sighed Mrs. Coppersley, over a cup of tea; "and if he did swear it was

la wearily; "no, thank you, Mr. Vand, I

t of this speech; "but I do care. Things must be settled somehow. I must arrange my future lif

at," said Bella, not l

ng, and"-she cast a second tender glance on her swain, who was eating largely-"ah, well, its useless to talk of weddings when funerals are

of the fact that her niece was the mistress of Bleacres. In fact, Bella was on the point of saying as much, when she remembered that Vand was present. Not being anxious to discuss family matters in his presence-even though he was about to e

s the boundary channel, and wondered how it would all end. Had she been a religious girl she might have sought comfort in prayer, but she knew very little about true religion, and did not care for the sort preached by Mr. Silas Pence in the Little Bethel at Marshely. As his name flashed into her mind, she looked up and saw him standing on the opposite side of the channel, so it was apparent-although she knew nothing about such

?" reproved Silas, in his most clerical

the funeral, Mr. Pence," retorted Bella, whose nerves were worn

ntrude on her privacy now, when she particularly wished to be alone. She intimated as much by turning away with a displeased air, and walked for a short distance along the bank path leading to Mrs. Tunks' hut. But Silas, ab

if you please," she

trated Pence, stupidly.

retorted, marvelli

s on the point of call

r. Pence, and my aunt will be glad to see you. She has Mr.

is congenial e

ttering, but I pr

she felt inclined to thrust him into the water. And his speech was even more irritating than hi

am not broken-hearted, a

"This is very,

gh, Mr. Pence, to take a plain telling if you won't accept a hin

would never, neve

as I am concerned, you

dislike me,

ppressing a violent inclination to scream, so anno

be my sealed fountain. Your late lament

perhaps you will remember that I r

ke my he

ly angry, and only too anxious to drive him

s. "Oh, I implore you to mend it, my Hephzibah! Yo

d don't make a f

s poor in this world's goods, but now I have gol

poor," said Bella, suspiciousl

nt left it to me," said Pence, droppi

pounds in g

gs, and his thin white cheeks flushe

bbery, if not with the murder. Under ordinary circumstances she would never have ventured to do this, being a kind-hearted girl; but Pence exasperated her so greatly that she was, on the

ccuse

into a royal rage. "I am tired of your company and of your silly talk. I

ashed with sinister lights. "I dare say you do," he said venomously, "but

"Now it is my turn to ask you what you mean?"

lowed up his advantage. "I think you had better m

wh

lice what I saw," he

e?" she asked in

y, his glittering eyes on her pale face. "I wished to adore the shrine wherein was

his, and speak plainly,"

brushed aside by that Lister person. It was growing dark, but I recognised his figure, his insolent face, his lordly air of prosperity. He walked up to the house

she question

omewhat of this crime, if, indeed,

ntimated that Mr. Lister-if it was Mr. L

your room, and were in a drugged sleep. Mrs. Coppersley had gone to my lodgings to deliver the note from your late f

know that th

ft at my lodgings, your father said that he had quarrelled seriously with this Lister person, and had locked you in your room. Now, if I sho

said Bella doggedly,

was alone in the house with him, and I believe

angrily. "You are talking a lot of nonsense, Mr. Pence. Mr. Lis

lieve it. W

me so h

person well by sight, and I am prepared to take my oath that he ente

s far from feeling, and gathering up her skirts to go. "You can tell the po

" demanded Pence, annoye

abruptly; "do

e as she turned away; "if by that time you do not agree to beco

followed, and a cautious look round revealed him crossing the planks on his way home. Bella felt sick with apprehension, and when she reached the hut had t

arie," croaked the old crea

her balance and entering the hut. "Why do you talk to me of the

lovey. Only trouble will make you see truths, a

ting down on a broken-backed chair

tle Romany? Hold your peace, dearie and let me think," and she lighted a dingy black clay pipe. "Luke ain't here,"

ina egg-cup. There was no light in the bare room, but the ruddy flare of the smouldering fire, and what with the semi-

be touched by Bella without rising. The floor was of beaten earth, the chimney a wide gaping hollow of turf, and there was one small window, usually tightly closed, beside the crazy door. The furniture consisted of a deal table, of home manufacture, with its legs sunken in the earthen floor, and a few stools together with the broken-backed chair on which the visitor sat. There also was a rough wooden dresser, on w

e wore also various coins and beads and charms, which kept up a continuous jingle. On the whole Granny Tunks was a picturesque figure of the Oriental type, and this, added to her sinister reputation as one acquainted with the uns

right and cunning eye. Suddenly she rose and took the gleaming globe in her skinny hand. "

artled into wakefulness. "I don't

ve trouble yet, before you, dearie," she said in a sing-song voice, "but peace in the

an! What d

. Tunks; "the vision has fa