Is it not just when we expect it least that sorrow sometimes falls suddenly upon us, hiding or eclipsing all our promised happiness and joy?
I have now to write a pitiful part of my too true story, but it must be done.
Next evening St. Clair rode home an hour earlier.
He complained of feeling more tired than usual, and said he would lie down on the drawing-room sofa until dinner was ready.
Peggy went singing along the hall to call him at the appointed time.
She went singing into the room.
"Pa, dear," she cried merrily; "Uncle-pa, dinner is all beautifully ready!"
"Come, Unky-pa. How sound you sleep!"
Then a terror crept up from the earth, as it were, and a cold hand seemed to clutch her heart.
She ran out of the room.