gly. Her life was now more desolate than it had
been before the occurrence of that ceremony in the church of St
Mary-le-Strand; for, though she had much respect for Mr Buggins, of
whose character she had heard nothing that was not good, and though
she had given her consent as to the expediency of the Buggins'
alliance, she did not find herself qualified to associate with Mr
Buggins.

"He won't say a word, Miss," Hannah had pleaded, "and he'll run and
fetch for you like a dog."

But even when recommended so highly for his social qualities,
Buggins, she felt, would be antipathetic to her; and, with many
false assurances that she did not think it right to interrupt a
newly-married couple, she confined herself on those days to her own
room.

But when Mr Rubb came, she went down to see him. How much Mr
Rubb knew of her affairs,--how far he might be in Miss Colza's
confidence,--she did not know; but his conduct to her had not been
offensive, and she had been pleased when she learned that the first
half year's interest had been paid to her sister-in-law.

"I'm sorry to hear of all this, Miss Mackenzie," said he, when he
came forward to greet her. He had not thought it necessary, on this
occasion, to put on his yellow gloves or his shiny boots, and she
liked him the better on that account.

"Of all what, Mr Rubb?" said she.

"Why, about you and the family at the Cedars. If what I hear is true,
they've just got you to give up everything, and then dropped you."

"I left Sir John Ball's house on my own account, Mr Rubb; I was not
turned out."

"I don't suppose they'd do that. They wouldn't dare to do that; not
so soon after getting hold of your money. Miss Mackenzie, I hope
I shall not anger you; but it seems to me to be the most horridly
wicked piece of business I ever heard of."

"You are mistaken, Mr Rubb. You forget that the thing was first found
out by my own lawyer."

"I don't know how that may be, but I can't bring myself to believe
that it all is as they say it is; I can't, indeed."

She merely smiled, and shook her head. Then he went on speaking.

"I hope I'm not giving offence. It's not what I mean, if I am."

"You are not giving any offence, Mr Rubb; only I think you are
mistaken about my relatives at Twickenham."

"Of course, I may be; there's no doubt of that. I may be mistaken,
like another. But, Miss Mackenzie, by heavens, I can't bring myself
to think it." As he spoke in this energetic way, he ro