Kept in the Dark

at his brother-in-law's conduct. And this was more strongly evinced by the presence of all the Hippesleys;-for all were there to grace the ceremony except Maude,

theory of life she did not resent the desertion. And Mrs. Green was there, humble and sweet-tempered as ever, snubbing her husband

d who have been engaged to, or at least in love with, half-a-dozen suitors before the man has come who is at last to be their lord! But Cecilia told herself, as she endeavoured thus to find comfort, that her nature was not such as theirs. This thing which she had done was a sin or not a sin, according as it might be regarded by the person who did it. It was a sin to her, a heavy, grievous sin, and one that weighed terribly on her conscience as she repeated the words after the Dean at the altar that m

om as ever put a ring upon a lady's finger. All that gloom of his, which had seemed to be his nature till after she had accepted him, had vanished altogether. And he carried himself with no sheepish, shame-faced demeanour as though half ashamed of the thing which

ss Altifiorla remained,-out of kindness. Mrs. Holt need make no stranger of her, and it would be so desolate for her to be alone. So surmised Miss Altifiorla. "I suppose," said she, when she had fastene

. Holt in a sharp tone tha

but I presume it is common to tell a gentle

now? And what can it matte

ia has not

nd when she had seen Mr. Western in the act of falling in love, had studiously abstained from all subjects which might bring about a reference to Sir Francis Geraldine. But she had felt that her daughter would make that all straight. Her daughter was so much more wise, so much more certain to do what was right, so much more high-minded than was she, that she considered h

as determined to push the question a little further. "He ough

ainty. "I am sure we may leave all that to Cecilia herself. If he is sa

ld have done very well in the world had she confined herself,-as she had solemnly promised,-to those high but solitary feminine duties to which Miss Altifiorla had devoted herself. But she had chosen to make herself the slave of a man who,-as Miss Alti

as they walked home from the breakfast. "That girl has not

you think th

at the breakfast; but one can tell from other things whether a subject has been avoided. These are plain when little

at it signifies

r I had become engaged to you you had found that a m

han twelve mo

need not contradict me. You'll find that he'll learn it of a sudden, and then all the fat will be in the fire.

nk Cecilia has ever yet said a word to that poor man as to her engagement with Francis. I cannot tell wha

d very badly;-very b

't think that as yet we quite know the truth of it. Nor would he care if his wife had behaved ill to the other man, so long as she behave

g to us," sa

us. But you'll see that

one. She still hoped that her husband might have heard the story, and that he kept it buried in his bo

in the world whom Sir Francis hated, but none whom he hated so cordially as his cousin. Three or four years since he had been ill, nearly to dying, and had declared that he never would have recovered but for the necessity that he was under to keep his cousin out of the baronetage. It had therefore become imperative on him to marry in order that there might be an heir to the property. And though he had for a few weeks been perfectly contented with his Cecilia, there could be no doubt t

"that will not let on, but will turn o

f dignity; but when she has got it she knows that herself, and shows it off in the wrong place. She should be young; but if she is too young she is silly: wait a little and she becomes strong-minded and headstrong. If she don't read anything s

o do with any of th

e to me to congratulate me on my mar

nd keep her down on the property. I'd see that it was all done lega

would tal

r your pleasure or your money. I never could find out the harm of people talking

a small property in Berkshire. Sir Francis had bought his now some years since for racing purposes. It was adjacent to Ascot, and had been let or used by himself during the racing week, as he had or had not been short of money. Mr. Western's small property had come to him from his uncle. But he had held it always in his own hands, and intended now to take his bride there as soo

s welcome to h

in one way. She'll make him miserable and he'll do

d you care

irl when he has been spooning on her himself. He doesn't want

e manger,

u like. You never cared for

dn't get a girl myself I never cared who h

punished for her impertinence, what's the use of my pretending to myself that I don't want it? If I wish a person to be injured, what's the use of saying I wish them all the good in the world,-unless there's something to be g

Dick Ross, wishing to make the matter

d," Ross said to his friend

ve now to begin. I wonder whether she has

sure of that

irst became acquainted, but I cannot imagine her telling him afte

to you at any rate," sa

the truth to be told. It may become my duty to take

ischief!" said Dick Ross as he wal