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114 BLACK SHEEP.Carruthers, had said a great deal about absolutequiet, but had not interdicted the purposed returnto England, when it had been decided that therewas to be no leave-taking between her and herbrother ancl son, yvho were to commence theirjourney on the morrow, Mr. Carruthers, sittingby his wife's bed, where she then lay quietlyasleep, arrived at the conclusion that the oldnurseyvas connected yvith the " shock."him acute pain.The idea gaveIt must have been, then, somethingwhich had some reference to his wife's pastlife, something in which he and the present hadno share.Very old, and worn, and troubled Mr.Carruthers looked as the darkness came on andfilled the room, and once more the night windarose, and whistled and shrieked over Taunus.He began to wish ardently, earnestly, to get home.It was very strange to look at his wife, alwaysbefore his eyes, and knoyv she had a terrible secretgrief, which had thus powerfully affected her, andnot to dare to question her about it. This freshconfirmation of the fact, this new manifestation ofher sufferings, after so peaceful an interval,had init something awful to the mind ofMr. Carruthers.