seemed to him like his neglect of her; when he had, by her maneuvers,
been kept out of her company for an hour together, his loyalty accused
him of a lack of attention and of gratitude. He would come back penitent
from Margaret's side, and turn again his chivalrous devotion to Jenny;
he was remorseful at finding how happy he had been with another--at
beginning to find that he was even happier. He did not impute to her any
jealousy, or resentment at the fickleness of a lover, but he feared that
she would be hurt by any falling-off in the affectionate homage which he
had been wont to pay. Insensibly he was courting Margaret--but always by
Jenny's permission. If it had been her will to summon him back to her
side by his allegiance, he would have come; but, as day followed day,
more and more reluctantly. Margaret's spell was gaining in power.

It could not well be otherwise. Youth turned to youth, the fresh heart
to the fresh. Over Margaret hung no shadow; she was unspotted from the
world. In her there was no calculation, and no scheming; all was
instinctive and spontaneous. Her love leaped forth unashamed because it
was unconscious of its very self. The fresh strange joy that painted
life in new colors was unanalyzed. She was just so much happier, so much
more gay, finding the days so much better. She did not ask why, but gave
herself whole-heartedly to the new delight. With Jenny effaced by her
own choice, this unmeant challenge fired Lacey to response; their
fleet-footed feelings raced against one another, still neck and neck as
they drew near the goal. A little further, and they would find
themselves at it. It would then be time for Jenny to act.

The world misjudged her--which was just what she wished. Opinion was
clear and well-nigh unanimous; for Jenny rehabilitation lay in marrying
and could not be complete without it: then she meant to marry--Lacey if
she could, Dormer if she must. There lay the explanation of the two
young men being always at Breysgate! Lacey was the object of Jenny's
spring; if she missed the mark, she would fall back on Dormer. But would
she miss it? Gossip was rife, eager, interested, over this, and over
this opinions varied; much is forgiven to sixty thousand a year, said
some; there was one thing which Fillingford Manor would never overlook,
said others. But on the whole it was admitted that there was great
danger of her success; it was speculated on with the fearful joy that
the prospect o