ust possible that Arthur's intimate knowledge of the state of his
future father-in-law's affairs, might have had something to do with his
gravity on the occasion. The troubles in the mercantile world, that had
not left untouched the long-established house of Elphinstone & Company,
had been felt more seriously still by Mr Grove, and a doubt as to
whether he could, with justice to all concerned, withdraw so large an
amount from his business, in order to invest it for his daughter's
benefit, could not but suggest itself to Arthur. He was not mercenary;
it would not be true to say he had not felt a certain degree of
satisfaction in knowing that his bride would not be altogether
undowered. But the state of Mr Grove's affairs, was, to say the least,
not such as to warrant a present withdrawal of capital from his
business, and Arthur might well look grave.

Not that he troubled himself about it, however. He had never felt so
greatly elated at the prospect of marrying an heiress, as to feel much
disappointed when the prospect became doubtful. He knew that Miss Grove
had a right to something which she had inherited from her mother, but he
said to himself that her right should be set aside, rather than that
there should be any defilement of hands in the transfer. So, if to Mrs
Grove's surprise and disgust, he remained silent when she made known the
munificent intentions of Fanny's father, it was not for a reason that he
chose to discuss with her. His remarks were reserved for Mr Grove's
private ear, and to him they were made with sufficient plainness.

As for Graeme, she could not but see that their anticipated change of
residence might help to make certainties of all her doubts and fears for
their future. If she had dreaded changes in their manner of life
before, how much more were they to be dreaded now? They might have
fallen back, after a time, into their old, quiet routine, when Fanny had
quite become one of them, had they been to remain still in the home
where they had all been so happy together. But there seemed little hope
of anything so pleasant as that now, for Fanny's handsome house was in
quite a fashionable neighbourhood, away from their old friends, and that
would make a sad difference in many ways, she thought; and all this
added much to her misgivings for the future.

"Fanny's house!" could it ever seem like home to them? Her thoughts
flew back to Janet and Merleville, and for a little, notwithstanding