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"It is more than probable," said Gus. "Poor Lady Stanley! I can now understand the cause of the strange melancholy that used to puzzle me so much."

"She never smiled from that day," said Fred. "Had the child died she would have grieved, but such grief is as nothing. It was the terrible uncertainty as to its fate that weighed on her heart. It was well she did not survive it long."

"And Sir William? how did he bear the loss?" inquired Gus.

"He became a changed man from that day. He grew stern, morose, and harsh to all. I have no doubt he felt it to be a just retribution for his conduct to his first wife, and this reflection rendered his remorse more bitter. Poor Leila! dear little angel! Gus, I cannot tell you how I loved that child."

He paced excitedly up and down, and Gus saw there were tears in the deep, dark eyes of his friend.

"Yes, that's just the way I feel about Nell," said Gus, who really was in a desperate strait for something to say, and the deep sigh that accompanied his words seemed inexpressibly ludicrous.