the preparations for to-morrow's
ceremony.

He said little, for the solemnity of the occasion had already laid its
sobering touch upon him, but his eyes glowed, and every time he looked
at Nan there came an expression into his face so sweet, so true, so
tender, that Maud could not see it and keep back the tears. She was in
a supersensitive mood this afternoon, for not only did the parting with
her beloved sister lie ahead, but also a meeting of even more
importance. Ned Talbot was to be Gervase's best man, and was even now
at the Grange, waiting only to greet his host, before coming to pay his
first visit for nearly two years. The winter before he had received an
invitation to Thurston House, but it had been refused; and even after
that formal intimation that the way was open, he had delayed his coming,
modesty and self-distrust alike combining to make him dread that final
putting to the test which should "win or lose it all." How much Miss
Nan had to do with the choosing of the "best man" is one of those
secrets which are best left alone. But presently there he came, walking
across the lawn towards the spot where the tea-table was laid, just as
he had done on another afternoon years ago; and there sat Maud, once
more busying herself with the tea-cups to hide her confusion, though of
a different and far happier description.

Not in vain had Jim dropped his words of reminder; not for naught had he
handed over letters received from his old friend for his sister's
perusal! Maud knew, and had known for many a long day, to whom Ned's
heart was given; and Ned knew that she knew, and gathered fresh hope
from her sweet, shy smile. For himself, he was looking a new man, and
Lilias felt a stab of pain as she looked at him and met his calm,
scrutinising glance. She had loved him once, or had come as near loving
him as it was in her nature to do, and she was surprised to find how
much it hurt to realise his disenchantment. She was as pretty as
ever,--prettier, so her mirror told her,--but though admiration was hers
in plenty, no one seemed to love her, or to turn to her for sympathy and
counsel. Nan, her younger sister, was about to be spirited away to a
life of luxury and affluence; Maud would certainly follow suit before
long; and she would be left at home with the younger girls, regarded by
them as a tiresome elderly person, who refused to move on and make room
for her juniors. A pleasant prospect, indeed! yet she co