BARREN HONOUR.



minded enough to take any decidedly
offensive step, and under the circum-
stances, inclined to temporize.  He
talked about "faults on both sides,"
spoke of a reconciliation being certainly
effected, and ended, by begging Alan
not in anywise to interfere with it.
  Wyverne felt sick and hopeless, he
knew how much to believe of all this;
but he had only one course open to
him now-to avoid meeting the Clydes-
dales as carefully as possible. He
hardly showed at all in town that
spring, and encountered Helen very
seldom, then only for a few minutes,
when there was no opportunity for a
confidence, even if either had had the
heart to attempt such a thing.  He
spent all the summer and early autumn
in Scotland.
  Let me say now-for your comfort-
my patient reader, that the End is very
near.


        CHAPTER XXVI.

           IMPLORA PACE.

  TEAT same year was drawing to its
close, in a damp dreary December-one
of those "' green Yules" which greedy
sextons are supposed to pray for, and
which all the rest of the world utterly
abhor.' Alan Wyverne was at the Ab-
bey with Crichton for his only com-
panion, who had come over from Castle
acre to join a large shooting-party
which was to assemble on the morrow.
He had travelled far that day; and he
sat more than half-asleep, before the
huge wood-fire, waiting for dinner, and
for Hugh, who had not finished dressing
yet. He was dozing so soundly, that
he never heard the great entrance-bell
clang; but he rose to his feet with a
start, as Algy Beauclere came in.
From that moment, Wyverne never
heard a door open suddenly, without
shuddering.
  There was no mistaking the bearer
of evil tidings; he had evidently rid-
den far and fast; he was drenched and
travel-stained from heel to head; his
bushy beard was sodden and matted



with the driving rain; and his bluff,
honest face looked haggard and weary.
  Alan spoke first.
  "1 Where do you come from Some
one is dying or dead, I know. Who
is it "
  The other answered, as if it cost him
an effort to speak, clearing his throat
huskily:
  "I have ridden here from Clydes-
holme. You must come back with me
directly: Helen is dying.   I don't
know if I have done right in fetching
you, but I had no heart to refuse her;
and Gracie said that I might come.
We must have fresh horses, and strong
ones, and some one who knows the
country: I can never find my way back
through such a night as this; the waters
were high in two places when I came
through, and they are rising every
hour. Don't lose a minute in getting
ready."
  Wyverne turned and walked to the
bell without a word; he staggered
more than once before he reached it:
then he sat down, burying his head
in his hands, and never lifted it till the
servant entered. His face, when lie
uncovered it, was ghastly pale, and he
was shaking all over; but he gave his
orders quite distinctly and calmly.
  " Don't talk now, Algy," he said;
" you shall tell me all when we are on
our way. I shall be ready before the
horses are. Eat and drink meanwhile,
if you can: you must need it now, and
you will need it more before morning."
  In less than a quarter of an hour
WVyverne returned, fully accoutred for
the journey; while he was dressing be
had made arrangements with Hugh
Crichton about telegraphing to put off
the shooting party: his faculties seemed
clear as ever; he literally forgot noth-
ing. But Beauclere was not deceived
by the unnatural composure.
  "For God's sake, take something to
keep your strength up," he said. " It's
a long five and twenty miles, and the
road and weather are fearful. You'll
never stand it if you start fasting."
  Alan looked at him vacantly, with a
miserable attempt at a smile.
  " I don't think I could cat anything



170