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CHAPTER XIV.

IN THE FRIARY OF ST. BRIDE.

not the woman to let an injury go unavinged." Then becoming suddenly calm, she murmured, "Blessed Mary, forgive me, this timper will be the ruin of me sowl afther all!"

"Did you want to speak to me? Can I do anything for you?" asked Eva Barrington kindly. Notwithstanding her haughtiness she was charitable to the poor, and never turned a deaf ear to the appeal of want.

"I do want to spake to you. I have something to tell which is only for yourself to hear." The voice was low and earnest,

ment she tried in vain to subdue.

va Barrington was a graceful horsewoman, and extremely fond of riding. Part of every day she spent on horseback accompanied by Sir Gerard, or attended by a groom whenever the baronet's visits to Josephine interfered with his attendance on her. One of her favourite rides was the rugged road following the line of coast. She delighted to feel the salt sea-breeze fanning her face, as she rode quickly along, imparting exhilaration to her spirits and the glow of health-the dark eyes gleaming with an exciteto her cheeks. She never looked better than on horseback, her fine figure appeared to such advantage in her closely-fitting riding-habit, sitting gracefully on her spirited chesnut mare, one small gauntleted hand grasping the reins, while with the other she caressed the proudly-arched neck of the beautiful animal, or lightly touched its flanks with her small riding-whip, the gold handle of which gleamed in the sunlight. A stylish looking hat surmounted the silken masses of her black hair, its crimson plume contrasting well with their raven hue.

One bright, pleasant day, in the month of September, as Eva Barrington was slowly. ascending the steep road leading to the Friary of St. Bride, her mare was startled by the appearance of an old woman, whose tall weird figure, rising suddenly from behind a hedge, stood right in the way before her. The animal reared, but the woman caught the reins fearlessly, listening with contemptuous indifference to the abuse the groom poured upon her.

"What did you do that for, woman, frightening the mare so? Are you mad?" he broke forth indignantly. "I have a mind to horsewhip you," and he raised his whip threateningly.

The old woman glared upon him. "Lay it on if you dare!" she hissed forth, her voice trembling with passion. "It'll be the worst blow you ever gave. Dinah Blake is

Maurice, ride on, and wait for me at the foot of the hill," said the young heiress, addressing her groom.

"Maurice need'nt stir a step" broke in Dinah, with decision, "he can wait here while you come with me into the Friary of St. Bride."

Eva's countenance expressed the astonishment she felt at this arrangement—at the tone of command in the woman's voice.

"Why should I go into the Friary?" she demanded, in haughty accents, her curiosity somewhat aroused.

"Bekase there's one spot there I want you to see. It is only there I can spake what's on me mind."

"The woman is mad," said Maurice, impetuously. "Don't heed her, Miss Barrington, she's out of her mind!"

A doubt of her sanity did flash through Eva's mind, and she was about to pass on, when Dinah, who read her thoughts, laid a detaining grasp on the reins :-" I am not mad!" she observed, vehemently, "though I have had throuble enough to dhrive me out of me sinses. You needn't fear me, I'l do you no harm, only come with me for a while and listen to what I have to say," she added with earnest entreaty.

The expression of her face re-assured Eva. She dismounted and accompanied her into the ruins. The weather was unu

buried here more nor eighteen.

years ago was your mother."

A feeling of alarm thrilled the young lady at this strange announcement. The woman must be mad, she thought. Not for a moment did she believe her startling assertion.

you the

"You don't believe me, but I tell thruth; I swear it on this blessed cross," said Dinah, with emphatic solemnity kissing the sacred symbol.

sually fine for the time of the year, the me- woman ridian sun was glittering on the quiet ocean, and gleaming on the white sailed craft flitting across its blue expanse. From the ele vated situation of St. Bride's Friary the sweep of horizon which it commanded was most magnificent-the grey rugged line of coast, the numerous headlands, some blue and misty in the distance, the straggling town of Carraghmore, and the noble mansion on Barrington Height-all were clearly seen, with the barren gigantic mountains in the background. With the bright sunshine around, and the sun-light of happiness in her own heart, Eva Barrington followed her strange companion over grass-grown graves and sculptured fragments of crosses and columns, little dreaming of the terrible disclosure about to be made, which was to cast a dark cloud over her future life, and withdraw the light of joy from her path. She entered those ivied ruins a gay, proud, light- | hearted girl, she left them not long after crushed to the earth with sorrow and bitter humiliation-her life blighted by the sins of

others.

Still Eva stared at her, incredulous. "How could that be possible?" broke from her with lofty scorn. with lofty scorn. "If you are not mad, woman, you are telling me a wicked lie to extort money!" she added, with vehement indignation.

"No," said Dinah, with grave earnestness, "I want none of your money. All I want is to do justice to her I wronged before I die."

"Her you wronged?" repeated Eva, a terrible thought creeping towards her-her eyes dilating with horror as she regarded the woman, and her breath coming in gasps from her heaving bosom.

"Yes, the girl I cruelly wronged when I stole her years ago from Barrington House, and left you, me own daughther's child, in her place!"

Stopping beside a small green mound, headed by a wooden cross, Dinah Blake pointed to the name roughly carved upon it. It was situated in a remote corner of the ruins, the lonely spot where Norah Blake had been long since laid to rest till the resurrection morning. Eva Barrington stooped and read the simple inscription. "Your daughter lies buried here?" she commiseration for the stricken girl. As soon said, by way of interrogation.

"Yes, she was my daughther, about your own age too when death took her, and as purty as yourself," said Dinah, gloomily, wiping the tears from her eyes, which started unbidden at the sight of that humble grave.

Eva eyed the distressed mother pityingly, wondering, however, what the tidings were she had brought her there to hear. She was not left long in suspense. With her usual abruptness Dinah continued-"The young

A wild cry of anguish escaped from Eva's white lips, and she sank upon the ground stunned by the crushing shock. Dinah supported her in her arms till she revived a little-her wan, withered face expressing

as consciousness returned, Eva, with a shudder and a gesture of abhorrence, withdrew from her support.

"You my grandmother!" she fiercely exclaimed, with a look of mingled scorn and disgust. "I will not believe it. It cannot, must not be! How dare you fabricate such a story!" she continued, hissing the words through her set teeth, her face colourless with passionate emotion.

"There isn't a word of lie in it," maintained Dinah stoutly, her feelings of com

passion giving way to the irritation she felt ful heiress of Barrington Height," was the at Eva's scorn. startling answer, spoken with a sullen,

"There is; it is all a made-up story to ex-offended air. tort money!" retorted the maddened girl furiously. "I will have you punished, put in jail for daring to say such a thing!" and gathering up the long train of her ridinghabit she was about to rush from the spot, scarcely knowing what she did in her wild excitement.

"You may as well take it aisy," remonstrated Dinah. "You can't put me in prison for spaking the thruth. Sure I'll swear it afore a magistrate."

Steps were now heard rapidly approaching, crunching the dry grass. "And, bedad, here's one coming just in the nick of time," she added, as the tall commanding figure of Mr. Crofton was seen issuing from the ruined cloister. His coming there at this moment was not merely accidental. He had been riding along the road, and seeing Maurice waiting for his mistress, had enquired where she was. The groom related what had occurred, and Mr. Crofton, sharing the fears of the servant with regard to Dinah's insanity, followed Miss Barrington into the ruins. The passionate ring of her voice, and the fury gleaming in her pallid countenance, excited his surprise. "What is the matter? What has this woman said to annoy you, Miss Barrington?" he asked, in tones of respectful kindness.

There was no answer; the words seemed to choke Eva, as she tried to communicate the strange, horrible disclosure of Dinah Blake. Good heavens, what a trial this was for the proud girl; that any one should hear that maddening assertion. "Your mother lies buried here, here in this humble, dishonoured grave!" How the words seemed to stamp themselves on her brain in characters of fire. Determined to have some explanation of the scene, Mr. Crofton turned to Dinah Blake, and sternly demanded what she had said or done to vex the young lady. "I only tould her that she isn't the right

"Good Heavens, what an assertion!" burst from Mr. Crofton, in amazement; the woman who made it could not be in her right mind, he thought; and yet it might be true. Strange things do happen in life; he would inquire further into this mysterious affair.

"If Miss Barrington is not the rightful owner of Barrington Height, who is?" he asked, eagerly.

"You see the blue smoke curling up among the threes far beyant there," and Dinah's bony hand pointed in the direction of the Rev. Max. Butler's residence. "There's where you'll find her."

"Do you mean Miss Dormer ?" asked Mr. Crofton, with eagerness, a new light dawning upon his mind, as he remembered the singular resemblance between Josephine and Miss Barrington.

"Herself, and no other," was the curt rejoinder.

Eva groaned at this revelation. It was so intensely painful and humiliating to think that the girl she had treated with such haughty condescension was the rightful owner of those broad acres she had looked upon as her own.

"This cannot be true, woman," observed Mr. Crofton, sharply. "You are an impostor, and I'll have you taken up and sent to prison."

"No, you won't," remarked Dinah, coolly, "and where would be the use of that? You couldn't stop me tongue there, and people would be found to believe me, though you don't."

"What proof have you to bring forward, to support your strange assertion ?"

"The servant Lynch, who nursed the girl you call Miss Barrington knows she was changed at her birth. Put her on her oath about it. She'll not dare perjure herself, although she held her tongue at the time,

"Did she aid you in making the exchange of infants?" asked Mr. Crofton, who was beginning to fear that Dinah's story was indeed true.

bekase she didn't want to lose her good disclosed troubled him as well as Eva, beplace." cause it deeply affected his interests as well as her's. If it could be proved that she was not the heiress of Barrington Height, and if the estate passed to its rightful owner, then he would be obliged to give an account of his stewardship during the years it had been under his management, a proceeding that would embarrass him considerably. truth was, Mr. Crofton had used part of Miss Barrington's money in speculating lately, and it would require time to refund this, and make his accounts square, if the

"No, she didn't; she wasn't to blame at all, at all; she knew nothing of me or my consarns."

"And who was the mother of the child you left at Barrington House?" asked Mr. Crofton, very eagerly.

"Me own daughter Norah."

The

"And her father was Major Barrington, I property passed to other hands. Something suppose ?"

"You have guessed right, he was that same, I'm sorry to say," Dinah rejoined, moodily.

"Now I understand your motive in the exchange of children," resumed Mr. Crofton, thoughtfully. "If indeed your word can be relied on," he added hastily; "your story seems hardly probable."

must be done to ward off the threatened evil for the present, and Dinah Blake must be prevented from making public the disclosure she had made. Addressing her in a conciliating tone, he enquired what her motive was in now revealing the evil she had done.

"Repintance has come to me at last, and I want to make aminds for it afore I die,"

"It's thrue, any way, you may depind on she answered shortly, and turning away as that."

"But I will not depend on the truth of

you say," observed Mr. Crofton, sternly. "Is it at all probable that one like you could secretly enter Barrington House, and carry off the infant heiress ?"

"It was done, I tell you!" maintained Dinah, vehemently. "Where is the use of talking any more about it? If you won't believe me, others will !"

"No, they will not credit such an improbable story," retorted Mr. Crofton, quickly, "and you have not sufficient proof to bring forward."

"Och! never fear about that; there'll be proof enough when it's wanted; more nor you think, 'cute as you are!"

she spoke, she walked slowly through the ruins toward the high road.

Mr. Crofton hastily followed her. "Come to my house to-night," he said, in a low voice, as he joined her.

"What for?" she demanded, curiously.

"I want to speak to you privately about this affair; you must tell me more about it, and we'll think what is best to be done."

"I'll come," she answered quietly, and again moved slowly forward, almost staggering as she walked. Dinah was not well. She had recently risen from a sick bed, and this painful scene beside Norah's grave had affected her deeply.

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CHAPTER XV.

THE HEIRESS AND THE AGENT.

HE looks as if she had not long to live," was the pleasing thought that suggested itself to Mr. Crofton's mind, as he

walked back to the spot where he had left familiarity of manner. The young girl was in his power-he knew that.

Eva.

She had thrown herself on Norah's grave, in the abandonment of her grief, and was giving way to a tempest of sobs and tears. How overwhelming was the blow that had fallen upon her, crushing out the joy and happiness of her young life. "What was she now ?" she asked herself wildly," the child of sin and shame! That odious woman her grandmother!" Oh, it was intensely bitter, this degradation. She could not endure the dreadful humiliation-the exposure would kill her. The convulsions of grief that shook her frame, touched with pity even the hard heart of the agent. He had known her from a child, and she had confided the management of her affairs to him with implicit trust, winning thereby his gratitude, for he had consequently been enabled, more than once, to use her money as a capital to enable him to make money. If the estate passed out of her hands he would probably lose the management of it, and the advantages he at present enjoyed. The more he thought upon the subject, the more he was determined to prevent by any means the exposure Miss Barrington dreaded, as much for his own interest as her's. Dinah Blake must not be permitted to make public the shameful disclosure she had that day made.

"Rouse yourself from this grief and take comfort," he said, in kind, encouraging accents, "this unpleasant matter shall give you no more annoyance; trust to me."

Eva raised her pallid face inquiringly: "Do you doubt the woman's story; do you think she is mad ?" she asked, with a wistful look.

"No," he replied deliberately. "I do not think that now, I did at first; but her story, though it seemed improbable, is I believe true. However I shall take care she communicates it to no one else. You and I can keep the secret, he added with a significant smile, and with an unusual

There was a pause for a few moments; there was a strife of mingled emotions in Eva Barrington's heart, a conflict between pride and principle. Should she yield to the suggestions of the former and retain possession of Barrington Height, at the expense of conscience: she had no right to it now, it was Josephine Dormer's. Mr. Crofton said he could prevent Dinah Blake from revealing her terrible secret. Should she place herself in his power by giving her consent to the concealment of those shameful facts she had that day heard? Principle stood up boldly confronting pride, but only for a little while; the dominant feeling of the girl's heart conquered, the passionate desire to retain the wealth and station that had hitherto been her's could not be denied

must be gratified at any cost. That maddening exposure of her shameful birth, the sinful disgraceful story of her dead parents must be hidden from the world. Every better feeling and consideration went down before that proud resolve, and Eva Barrington shut the door on conscience.

"What do you propose to do in this dreadful affair?” she asked at length, turning her pale agitated face towards Mr. Crofton. "How can you secure Dinah Blake's silence? If money is necessary you need not spare it."

"Nor shall I," he answered quickly. "Of course money will be needed, but you won't mind the loss of that!"

"No, if it were even to the half of my fortune!" she said passionately. "I would rather lose even all I possess, than have this story made public. Good heavens ! can it indeed be true ?" she added with another wild burst of weeping.

"Don't give way so Miss Barrington, control this passionate grief. There is really no need to fret so. This threatening evil can be crushed in the bud. How fortunate that I should have been here in time to advise and aid you. Now let me beg of you

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