Emily found Mirabel in the waiting room at Belford. Her suddenappearance might well have amazed him; but his face expressed amore serious emotion than surprise--he looked at her as if shehad alarmed him.

"Didn't you get my message?" he asked. "I told the groom I wishedyou to wait for my return. I sent a note to my sister, in case hemade any mistake."

"The man made no mistake," Emily answered. "I was in too great ahurry to be able to speak with Mrs. Delvin. Did you reallysuppose I could endure the suspense of waiting till you cameback? Do you think I can be of no use--I who know Mrs. Rook?"

"They won't let you see her."

"Why not? _You_ seem to be waiting to see her."

"I am waiting for the return of the rector of Belford. He is atBerwick; and he has been sent for at Mrs. Rook's urgent request."

"Is she dying?"

"She is in fear of death--whether rightly or wrongly, I don'tknow. There is some internal injury from the fall. I hope to seeher when the rector returns. As a brother cler gyman, I may withperfect propriety ask him to use his influence in my favor."

"I am glad to find you so eager about it."

"I am always eager in your interests."

"Don't think me ungrateful," Emily replied gently. "I am nostranger to Mrs. Rook; and, if I send in my name, I may be ableto see her before the clergyman returns."

She stopped. Mirabel suddenly moved so as to place himselfbetween her and the door. "I must really beg of you to give upthat idea," he said; "you don't know what horrid sight you maysee--what dreadful agonies of pain this unhappy woman may besuffering."

His manner suggested to Emily that he might be acting under somemotive which he was unwilling to acknowledge. "If you have areason for wishing that I should keep away from Mrs. Rook," shesaid, "let me hear what it is. Surely we trust each other? I havedone my best to set the example, at any rate."

Mirabel seemed to be at a loss for a reply.

While he was hesitating, the station-master passed the door.Emily asked him to direct her to the house in which Mrs. Rook hadbeen received. He led the way to the end of the platform, andpointed to the house. Emily and Mrs. Ellmother immediately leftthe station. Mirabel accompanied them, still remonstrating, stillraising obstacles.

The house door was opened by an old man. He looked reproachfullyat Mirabel. "You have been told already," he said, "that nostrangers are to see my wife?"

Encouraged by discovering that the man was Mr. Rook, Emilymentioned her name. "Perhaps you may have heard Mrs. Rook speakof me," she added.

"I've heard her speak of you oftentimes."

"What does the doctor say?"

"He thinks she may get over it. She doesn't believe him."

"Will you say that I am anxious to see her, if she feels wellenough to receive me?"

Mr. Rook looked at Mrs. Ellmother. "Are there two of you wantingto go upstairs?" he inquired.

"This is my old friend and servant," Emily answered. "She willwait for me down here."

"She can wait in the parlor; the good people of this house arewell known to me." He pointed to the parlor door--and then ledthe way to the first floor. Emily followed him. Mirabel, asobstinate as ever, followed Emily.

Mr. Rook opened a door at the end of the landing; and, turninground to speak to Emily, noticed Mirabel standing behind her.Without making any remarks, the old man pointed significantlydown the stairs. His resolution was evidently immovable. Mirabelappealed to Emily to help him.

"She will see me, if _you_ ask her," he said, "Let me wait here?"

The sound of his voice was instantly followed by a cry from thebed-chamber--a cry of terror.

Mr. Rook hurried into the room, and closed the door. In less thana minute, he opened it again, with doubt and horror plainlyvisible in his face. He stepped up to Mirabel--eyed him with theclosest scrutiny--and drew back again with a look of relief.

"She's wrong," he said; "you are not the man."

This strange proceeding startled Emily.

"What man do you mean?" she asked.

Mr. Rook took no notice of the question. Still looking atMirabel, he pointed down the stairs once more. With vacanteyes--moving mechanically, like a sleep-walker in hisdream--Mirabel silently obeyed. Mr. Rook turned to Emily.

"Are you easily frightened?" he said

"I don't understand you," Emily replied. "Who is going tofrighten me? Why did you speak to Mr. Mirabel in that strangeway?"

Mr. Rook looked toward the bedroom door. "Maybe you'll hear why,inside there. If I could have my way, you shouldn't see her--butshe's not to be reasoned with. A caution, miss. Don't be tooready to believe what my wife may say to you. She's had afright." He opened the door. "In my belief," he whispered, "she'soff her head."

Emily crossed the threshold. Mr. Rook softly closed the doorbehind her.