224 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND, [rv.

 

chair at the head ‘of the table, and positively yelling
with laughter, which, however, had a ring of pain
about it as it died away almost in a moan. Molly
could not understand it at all, and possibly never
would have done so, had not a new and still more
extraordinary event followed. The Donkey spoke!
Not in the natural bray of that worthy animal, but in
a human voice, and that voice none other than the.
voice of John Goodchild himself! And this is what
it said :-—

‘Really, Molly, it is very rude of you to refuse the
kindness which is offered you by these excellent ladies.
I wonder you can behave so, though why you should
intrude here at all is more than I know. Either join
us or leave us, if you please.’

Molly stood perfectly aghast at these words. The
language was better than that in which her husband
habitually expressed himself, but the voice was most
unmistakably his. It was not this, however, of which
Molly was thinking, but of the base ingratitude of the
man for whom she had ventured so much. Not only
did he not thank her for her attempts to save him,
but actually appeared to resent her coming! Was
he, then, after all, there by his own choice, and happier
than he had been before? Was it possible that he
had gained by his change and that she would be doing
him an injury instead of a benefit by reclaiming him ?
And—worse than all—had he found some one among
the fashionable ladies who formed his present society,
whom he preferred to her, Molly, his lawful wedded
wife, and from whom he was now unwilling to part?
All these thoughts passed like lightning through the