with one who should have a husband's
right to protect and console her. It was simply and frankly said, as
one might speak of a matter fully understood and approved of by all
concerned. But the words smote on Allan's heart with sharp and sudden
pain, and he knew that something had come into his life, since the time
when he had listened in complacent silence to Mr Elphinstone's
half-expressed ideas, concerning Lilias and her future. There was
pleasure in the pain, sharp and sweet while it lasted, for with the
knowledge that came to him, that he loved Graeme Elliott, there came
also the hope, that there was something more than gentle friendliness in
the feelings with which she regarded him. But the pleasure passed, and
the pain remained, growing sharper and deeper as he looked the future in
the face.

It was not a hopeful future. As for his cousin, there had passed
between them no words or tokens of affection, that cousins might not
very well exchange; at least, he was willing to believe so now; and
judging her feelings, partly by his own, and partly by the remembrance
of many a chance word and action of the last few months, he said to
himself, the happiness of her life would not be marred though they might
never be more than cousins to each other. But this did not end his
doubts as to the course that lay before him, and every day that he
lingered in miserable indecision, made more evident to him the
difficulties of his position. He knew it was a son's place that he had
got in the firm. He could only claim it as a son. If his relations to
Lilias and her father were changed, it seemed to him that he could not
honourably claim a position which had been urged upon him, and which he
had gladly accepted with a view to these relations. The past ten years
must be as nothing to him, except for the experience they had given him,
the good name they had won for him. He must begin life again a poor
man.

But let me not be unjust to him. It was not this that made all the
misery of his indecision. Had all this come in a time of prosperity, or
when Mr Elphinstone had strength and courage to meet disaster unmoved,
it would have been different. But now, when all things looked
threatening, when certain loss--possible ruin--lay before them, when the
misfortunes of some, and the treachery of others were making the very
ground beneath their feet insecure, could he leave the feeble old man to
struggle through these difficult and