"As I returned to my miserable home, I saw a man on horseback come out
at the back gate. It was one of Colonel Vaughan's servants. I
wondered what brought him there so early, but went in at the front gate
to avoid meeting him. The house was very silent with its drawn blinds.
"When Betto came in with pale, tearful face, I asked her what had
brought Colonel Vaughan's servant there so early.
"'A very strange thing, sir,' she said. 'He came to ask if Miss
Vaughan was here? Colonel Vaughan was in great distress--if you call
tearing about and swearing being in great distress--that was what Sam
said, sir--because Miss Vaughan is nowhere to be found. Dir anwl! a
strange thing, indeed, sir!' "I was too miserable to pay much attention to her gossip, and began my
breakfast alone, for Lewis had not appeared, and I dreaded to see him.
I had thought it strange that in the turmoil of the night before, with
the hurried footsteps and the arrival of the doctor's gig, my brother
had not been disturbed, and he was apparently still sleeping. I shall
never forget that long, long day. I thought my misery was beyond human
endurance; little did I think that ere night it would be increased
tenfold.
"I had refused to leave this room, though Betto had done her best to
persuade me to eat the dinner which she had prepared She was always
quick to read my thoughts and understand my feelings.
"'You would be quite as much alone in the parlour, sir, as you are
here;' she said, 'for I can see nothing of Mr. Lewis. Indeed, I have
been into his room, and I see he has not slept there last night,' and
she flung her apron over her head, and swayed backwards and forwards
crying 'Oh, anwl! beth na i!' and she slowly and tremblingly drew a
note out of her pocket and handed it to me. 'Perhaps that will tell
you something, sir.' "'Where did you find this?' I said, "I found it on her bed after she died. Mr. Lewis had sent it by Madlen
the nurse.' "I tore the note open--I never dreamt it was dishonourable, neither do
I now--and read the words which began the awakening that was to come
with such force and bitterness. They were these: "'MY DEAR AGNES,--My warmest congratulations upon the birth of your
little one, and my deepest thanks for all your kindness to me and dear
Nellie. Without your help we should never have been united. Good-bye,
and may God grant us all a happy meeting at some future time.
"'Your ever grateful and devoted friends, "'LEWIS WYNNE and ELLEN VAUGHAN.'