Kept in the Dark

p and down the platform she had an opportunity for settling her thoughts. She was angry with three persons-with Mrs. Western, Mr. Western, and with herself. She was very angry with Cecil

r in her trouble solely because it was necessary. So far she had done naturally. But though she had come, she had not come in any of the spirit of humility. She had been bold as brass to her in the midst of her cowardice towards her

punished for his pride. It was quite proper that he should learn that his wife had been engaged to the man whom he had so violently despised. It would be no more than a fitting reverse of fortune. Mr. Western was, she

come. She felt that she ought to have been present at the crisis, and that by the exercise of her own p

filled her mind, but there probably did come to her vague ideas of the possibility of some joint action. At any rate she received him when he came upon the platform with her blandest smile, and immediately entered into conversation with him respecting the household of the Westerns. What a stiff man he was, so learned, so proper, and so

emselves opposite to one another. "But then his wife is a pr

to think her a pr

was nearly having to pay for it. But I di

t Cecilia Holt was my dearest friend,

ry well together. I suppose they've no secrets from each other," he added after a pause. Upon this Miss Altifiorla remained silent. "The

word I ca

former engagement, for instance

in such a way that one doe

ught to speak to him again when the engagement is broken. For my part I do not see why they should not be as intimate as any other people. She looked

at she had kept it. But still she was most anxious to break it in the spirit. She did understand that she had bound herself not to divulge aught about Mrs. Western's secret, and that were s

now," said

cilia does tell me everything; but I do not see th

you do

w wh

nt of an amount of confidential friendship which had altogether been refused to her during the last two weeks. Sir Francis was a baronet, and a man of fashion, and a gentleman very well thought of in Devonshire, let Mr. Western say what he might about his conduct. Mr. Western was evidently a stiff stern man who did

me, I do not th

hat he had never heard of

y? Remember that I do not tell you anything o

id that she told

she doesn't k

here is a myst

e had divulged to Sir Francis the fact that Mrs. Western had as yet told her husband nothing of her previous engagement, and lived at the present moment in awe at the idea of having to d

dreadfully fright

ldn't wonder if she has not

f the cab, detaining it, and thereby showing in a v

t this morning, but was only waiting for my departure to do so. So she said at least. But she

you lea

ncis!" This she said in a whisper because he had got hold of her hand throug

u off by the other train. Wh

l be very kind. Waterloo;-

e kissed her hand to

she done right in repudiating mankind? Would it not have been better now to have been driving about the streets of the episcopal city, or perhaps even those of the metropolis, in an episcopal carriage? But, as she had then said, she had chosen her line and must now abide by it. But the pressing of her hand by Sir Francis had opened up new ideas to her. And they were the pleasanter because a special arrangement had been made for their meeting once again before they left London. As to o

y taking upon himself falsely the fault of having been the first to break their engagement. But there was a doubt as to this point, and people said that he had been jilted-much to his disgust. He was determined to be revenged,-or, as he said to himself, "he had made up

ss of eye when she was awakened to enthusiasm, and she knew how to make the best of herself. She could whisper and be-or pretend to be-secret. She had about her, at her command, a great air of special friendship. She had not practised it much with men as yet, but there was

d lunched with him. "You're just

ake of renewing an old acqu

cuting that unfort

she marries such a pink of perfection as Mr. Western, a

r, and you have had yours, and he has had his. As far as I can see you have had the best of it. She is marrie

d justice. He played me a trick once, and I'll play him another. She too played me a trick, and now

n to kil

or did she. They think because I carry things in an easy manner that I take t

eard in my life," said Dick Ross as he

cious, have you any

all that kind of thing. Just u

e no idea of duty, only you don't like to burden your conscience with doing what seems to be ill-natured. Now, if a man does me good, I return it,-which I deem

n to punish

far as it is in

ething like real sorrow depicted on his face

the Baronet. "You like fruit pie. I doubt if yo

ck, pushing the p

, and as it has to be thought about I must begin it at once. Whatev

s idea of justice plain to Mr. Western. He could not put forth his case so clearly as to make the husband understand that all was done in fair honour and honesty. But as he thought of it, he came to the conclusion that he did not much care what impression he might leave on the mind of Mr. Western;-and still less what impression he might leave on hers. He might probably succeed in creating a quarrel, and he was of opinion that Mr. Western was a man who would not quarrel lightly, but, when he did, would quarrel very earnestly. Having thought it all over with great deliberation, he went up-stairs, and in twenty minutes had his letter written. At a quarter past four he was at the Waterloo Station to see the departure of Miss Altifiorla. Even he

ing on

head. "Pray don't. What's the good? You'll only create a disturbance and misery. Poor dear Cecilia

er from you there," he

solutely

olut

uch a singular temperament that I do not know what the effe

I have thought it all over, and have found myself bound in honour to inform him. And it is for the sake of

e helped," said Miss A

ot," he

. I must get into my train now, as we are just off. I

er hand and took her departure. Miss Altifiorla could not but think wh