the dampness and mouldy smell of the past was on them, — made themselves ready, in their faded bettermost, to go to church.

They descended the staircase together, — gaunt, sallow Hepzibah, and pale, emaciated, age-stricken Clifford! They pulled open the front door, and stepped across the threshold, and felt, both of them, as if they were standing in the presence of the whole world, and with mankind’s great and terrible eye on them alone. The eye of their Father seemed to be withdrawn, and gave them no encouragement. The warm sunny air of the street made them shiver. Their hearts quaked within them at the idea of taking one step farther.

“It cannot be, Hepzibah! — it is too late,” said Clifford with deep sadness. “We are ghosts! We have no right among human beings, —