very much
as I liked, Nelly accompanying her mother when she went out. General
Forsyth called me into his study one morning to have a talk over my
future.

'Have you any idea in your own head when your marriage is to be? Has
Stanton said anything to you about it?'

'I--I don't wish to hurry about it,' I said confusedly; 'he is willing
to wait.'

'How long?' demanded my guardian shortly.

'Are you wanting to get rid of me?' I asked, a little vexed by his tone.

'Do not be so foolish!' was the reply. 'I intend, as I have told you
before, to treat you as I should one of my daughters; but it seems to
me that there is nothing to wait for. Constance is going to be married
about Easter. I do not see why that time should not suit you.'

'Oh no,' I cried; and though I had resented them at the time, Miss
Rayner's words came before me. 'I would rather wait longer; please let
me, if it is not inconvenient to you.'

He said no more, but I wondered much if the Forsyths were relieved at
the possibility of my leaving them soon. I said something of the sort
to Nelly, who, of course, eagerly disclaimed it. 'Why, Hilda, we shall
miss you awfully! I don't know what I shall do, unless I get engaged
before you go. Fancy me being left here alone, the old maid of the
family! I dare say I shall not marry. I have never seen a single man
that I care for yet. Some one asked me the other day if I wasn't
jealous of you! So ridiculous! I am sure I would be frightened out of
my life by Mr. Stanton. I am very glad he picked upon you. You are
just made for each other, you two! I wouldn't have him for my husband
for worlds! Sometimes when he is thinking, he looks so severe and cold
that he makes me shiver. Grace Dawkin said the other day that he
looked like a man with a "dark past." Have you ever asked him about
his past, Hilda? Because, really, we know very little about him. Hugh
seems to know hardly anything. Mother is satisfied, because she knows
he comes of a good family; but he may have murdered some one, or done
anything, for all we know!'

I knew it was of no use being angry with Nelly, or I could have scolded
her well for her way of talking; she always said out anything and
everything that came into her head without a thought of whether her
hearers would like it or not. There was a little difficulty at first
about my taking my Sunday class again. Mrs. Forsyth had an objection
to it, but she finally consented,