ter all, both ladies agreed, it would have been
hardly decent to turn the Gainsboroughs out on Monday, as it was well
known the new lord had proposed.

But the Gainsboroughs were not in Mina's thoughts just now.

"Nothing is to be made public yet--please remember this. But I want
you to know that I have just written to Harry Tristram to say I
will marry him. I have had a great deal of trouble, dear Mina, but
I think I have done right, looking at it all round. Except my own
people I am telling only one friend besides you ('Bob Broadley!'
said Mina with a nod, as she read the letter the second time). But
I want you to know; and please tell your uncle too. I hope you will
both give me your good wishes. I do think I'm acting wisely; and I
thought I had no right to keep him waiting and worrying about this
when he has so much to think of besides. You must stay at Merrion
after I come to Blent.--JANIE."

Barring the matter of the immediate announcement then, Miss S. was
justified. Janie had done the obviously right thing--and was obviously
not quite sure that it was right. That mattered very little; it was
done. It was for Mina Zabriska--and others concerned--to adapt
themselves and conform their actions to the accomplished fact. But would
Major Duplay take that view? To Mina was intrusted the delicate task of
breaking the news to her uncle. It is the virtue of a soldier not to
know when he is beaten; of a general not to let others know. To what
standard of martial conduct would the Major adhere? This matter of the
Major was in every way a nuisance to his niece. In the first place she
wanted to think about herself and her own feelings--the one luxury of
the unhappy. Secondly she was afraid again. For Harry suddenly seemed to
be no protection now, and the horrors threatened by Duplay--the
interrogation, the lawyer's office, and the like--recovered their
dreadfulness. It had been easy--perhaps pleasant--to suffer for the
confidential friend who had opened his heart to her on the hillside. It
became less easy and certainly more unpleasant to be sacrificed for
Janie Iver's _fiance_. But Mina, though no longer exultant and no more
fearless, would be loyal and constant all the same. Should she, after
saving others, be herself a castaway? She experienced a longing for the
sympathy and support of Mr Jenkinson Neeld. Surely he would stand firm
too? He was still at Fairholme. Was