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PAUL WARD. 119Ward hacl had much inquietude and mysterioustrouble in them for the girl whose graces they hadbut ripened anclperfected, on yvhose fair face theyhad impressed a premature but very beautifulthoughtfulness. To one so young, so innocent,socarefully sliielded from evil,living in so pure andcalm an atmosphere of home, and yet aroundwhom the inevitable solitude of orphanhood dwelt,the presence of a secret cause of sorrow, doubt,perplexity, was in itself a burden grievous to beborne. Clare could not help dwellingperpetuallyon the only mystery which had ever comeinto hertranquil conventional life,and the more she shrankfrom the contemplation, the more it pressed itselfupon her. Sometimes, for days and yveeks together,the remembrance of it would be vague anclformless, then it yvould take shape again and substance,and thrill her with fresh horror, distracther yvith new perplexity.Sometimes she wouldaddress herself with all the force of her intelligenceto this mysterious remembrance, she yvouldarrange the circumstances in order and questionthem, and then she would turn away from theinvestigation cold and trembling, yvith all the ter-