that she imagined she had cause to be jealous of me; he knew that I was ignorant of her imaginings -that I was alone, and had no one to warn me; and yet he came here day by day. And once I loved

that man!"

And in this thought lay the bitterest sting of all -that once she had loved him.

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CHAPTER XXIV.

AZRAEL'S SWORD.

"The world goes up, and the world goes down,
And the sunshine follows the rain;

But yesterday's smile, and yesterday's frown,
Can never come back again,

Sweet wife

Can never come back again."

MR STEVENS was in no enviable frame of mind when he found himself in Anne Square. He was very angry with Cicely-that was the predominant sensation,-angry with her for the jealousy which had prompted her to follow him; above all, angry with her for the passionate words which had lowered him in Miss Mainwaring's eyes. And he quite overlooked the fact, whilst meditating on the results of her waywardness, that two hours ago he had stood in this very spot, having quite determined to leave her to the strife of wondering, pitying, and harshjudging tongues, which surely is the hardest trial that a woman can be called upon to bear. But no: in his determination to reject the temptation, it seemed to him that all the original intention should

count for nought; and it was, he felt, the bitterest injustice of fate, that in the very moment of victory he should have been thus humbled. All this must, however, be for the present put on one side, and Cicely must be followed and soothed. Mr Stevens did not really think there was much likelihood of her having gone to No. 39, as Miss Mainwaring had suggested. No; it was far more probable that she had gone straight home: still it was just as well to make quite sure; so he crossed the Square and rang the bell.

After some little delay the door was opened. "Ask Miss Stevens to speak to me for a minute," Mr Stevens said to the servant.

Sharp as Betty's tongue might be, Cyril decided with himself she was the best person in the house to confide in. And this night's work could not be kept too quiet.

"Cyril, what is the meaning of this most dissipated proceeding on the part of a respectable married man?"

Not heeding her. "Is Cicely here?" Cyril asked. "But no; of course she is not."

Instantly the smile faded off Elizabeth's face, and the tones of her voice grew grave.

"What do you mean, Cyril? Why should you expect to find her here? Has she left her home?" My dear Betty, what folly you do talk!" replied her brother, pettishly.

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"After your question, Cyril, I think mine are easy of comprehension.”

On second thoughts, Cyril felt sorry he had

spoken hastily. Whatever happened, Betty must be an ally on whom he could count; she always had helped him in any real difficulty-it was impossible she could fail him now. So in a lower tone he told her how Cicely had followed him to No. 1, and of the scene that had been enacted there.

"So it has come at last," said Betty, sadly.

"What do you mean by 'at last '?" interrupted her brother. "I should have thought you, of all people, would have known what a delusion it has been-a perfect mania!"

"Perhaps so; but did you ever in any way tend to lessen the delusion? However, it is no use looking back now, Cyril. You must go home as quickly as you can, and for pity's sake be kind to her. Poor child Remember, after all, she loves you,—surely that ought to count for something."

"Don't say anything to any one here. No one need ever know, need they?" he added, almost pleadingly.

'No; certainly not. You may trust me; and Delicia also, I am certain. Good night, Cyril; the less matrimonial squabbles are discussed, the better always."

And Mr Stevens departed, to hail the first hansom he could find, and in it to make his way, as speedily as might be, to his own house.

It was not, however, decreed that Elizabeth

Stevens should pass that night in peace, for not many hours later she was wakened by the violent ringing of the hall-bell, and hastily slipping on a dressing-gown, and sallying forth, with an undefined fear of she knew not what, to see what was the matter, she was met by Cyril, who with a white and frightened face told her that he had been home, but that nothing had been heard of Cicely. "Where can she be, Betty?" for once no thought of self mingling with his anxiety, and, as was usual with him, turning towards the strongest person present for support and comfort in his difficulties. And under the stress of this new fear, he confided to his sister the story of the wedding-ring, which he had kept back in his confidences of three hours before.

"Oh, poor child! Poor foolish Cicely!" cried Elizabeth. "What can she have done? Have you been to her father, Cyril?"

"Yes, I went there directly, but he had heard. nothing of her."

"You had better give notice to the police," Mr Stevens suggested. "It will be easy to trace her, for she cannot have walked far."

Yes, I suppose it ought to be done,” said Cyril, nervously. "But you cannot tell how I hate the idea," and he looked from one to the other as if he half hoped they would say death would be preferable to recovering her at such a price.

But Betty said, "Yes, father, that is the best plan;" and laying a kind hand on Cyril's arm, added, "Cheer up; we must find her soon."

T