ventured to steal a look at her husband, who to her surprise was
regarding her with an air of affectionate interest. Relieved for a
moment, she returned to her occupation; but her former terrors soon
overcame her. She would have given worlds to escape from that room,
from that dwelling, and wandered she cared not how, she knew not
wither, so she might be rescued from the sight of that awful figure,
from the sound of that dreaded voice.

The conflict in her mind became at length too strong for endurance;
and suddenly flinging down her work, she threw herself at her
husband's feet, and burying her face in his knees she sobbed aloud;
"save me from myself--save me, save me from _her_!" He raised her
gently, and folded her in his arms. "Save thee from whom, my beloved
Helen?"

"Greville, believe me or not as thou wilt, but as the Almighty hears
and judges me, I have beheld the apparition of thy wife. I saw her
freely, distinctly, standing beside thee even where thou sittest;
clearly visible as the form of a living being; and she would have
spoken, and doubtless revealed some dreadful secret, had not the
weakness of my nature refused to support me. Oh! Greville, take me
from this room--take me from this house--I am not able to bear the
horrible imaginings which have filled my mind since that awful hour.
My very brain is maddened--oh! Greville, take me hence."

Even in the agony of her fear, Helen started with delighted surprise
to feel the tears of her husband falling on her hand. Yes! he,--the
stern Greville, the estranged husband, moved by the deep distress
manifested in the appearance of his wife, acknowledged his sympathy
by the first tears shed in her presence.