was pale and very grave when he met his cousin, but
not more so than hers. But that might very well be said each of the
other. Lilias knew more of the losses which the firm had sustained than
her father knew; and Allan might well look grave, she thought, and the
watching and anxiety for her father's sake might well account to him for
her sad looks. After the first clasp of their hands he knew that the
vows hitherto unspoken, must now be fulfilled.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

Graeme did go to Mrs Roxbury's party, and it happened in this way. The
invitations had been sent out before Mr Elphinstone's short, sharp
illness, and Lilias had been made very useful by her aunt on the
occasion. She had not been consulted about the sending of Graeme's
invitation, or probably Rose would have had one too, but by good
fortune, as she declared, Graeme's refusal came first to her hand, and
the little lady did a most unprecedented thing. She put it quietly into
her pocket, and going home that night by the Elliott's, ventured to
expostulate.

"First, you must promise not to be vexed," and then she showed the note.
Graeme looked grave.

"Now you must not be angry with me. Rosie, tell her not to be vexed,
because, you know you can write another refusal, if you are determined.
But I am sure you will not be so cruel. I can't tell you any reason,
except that I have set my heart on your being there, and you'll come to
please me, will you not?"

"To please you, ought to be sufficient reasons, I know," said Graeme,
smiling. And Lilias knew she had prevailed with her friend. She saw
the acceptance written, and carried it off to place it with dozens of
others, in the hands of Mrs Roxbury. She did not say much to Graeme
about it, but to Rosie, she triumphed.

"I want Aunt Roxbury to see Graeme looking her very best. Graeme will
look like a queen among us. Aunt will see that Allan and I have good
reasons for our admiration. Fancy any of these trumpery people
patronising Graeme! But you are not to tell her what I say. You don't
think she was really vexed with me, do you? And she must wear her new
peach-blossom silk. I am so glad."

But poor little Lilias went through deep waters, before the
peach-blossom silk was worn by Graeme. Mr Elphinstone was brought very
near the gates of death, and anxious days and nights were passed by his
daughter at his bedside. Mrs Roxbury would have recalled her
invitations, and Lilias' soul si