going to take us all in."

"If that's the best of it, you can be taken in without me," said
Kattie.

"But it is good; is it not? We two, and her maid. She's to be
promoted to nurse one of these days."

"If you're such a fool, I never will have you. It's not too late yet,
remember that." All which rebukes--and there were many of them--Mr
Montagu Blake received with loud demonstrations of joy. "And so, Miss
Lawrie, you're to be in the same boat too," said Mr Blake. "I know
all about it."

Mary blushed, and looked at Mr Whittlestaff. But he took upon
himself the task of answering the clergyman's remarks. "But how do
you know anything about Miss Lawrie?"

"You think that no one can go up to London but yourself, Mr
Whittlestaff. I was up there myself yesterday;--as soon as ever this
great question of the day was positively settled, I had to look after
my own _trousseau_. I don't see why a gentleman isn't to have a
_trousseau_ as well as a lady. At any rate, I wanted a new black
suit, fit for the hymeneal altar. And when there I made out John
Gordon, and soon wormed the truth out of him. At least he did not
tell me downright, but he let the cat so far out of the bag that
I soon guessed the remainder. I always knew how it would be, Miss
Lawrie."

"You didn't know anything at all about it," said Mr Whittlestaff.
"It would be very much more becoming if you would learn sometimes to
hold your tongue."

Then Miss Evelina Hall struck in. Would Miss Lawrie come over to
Little Alresford Park, and stay there for a few days previous to the
wedding? Kattie Forrester meant to bring down a sister with her as
a bridesmaid. Two of the Miss Halls were to officiate also, and it
would be taken as a great favour if Miss Lawrie would make a fourth.
A great deal was said to press upon her this view of the case, to
which, however, she made many objections. There was, indeed, a
tragedy connected with her own matrimonial circumstances, which did
not make her well inclined to join such a party. Her heart was not at
ease within her as to her desertion of Mr Whittlestaff. Whatever the
future might bring forth, the present could not be a period of joy
But in the middle of the argument, Mr Whittlestaff spoke with the
voice of authority. "Accept Mr Hall's kindness," he said, "and go
over for a while to Little Alresford."

"And leave you all alone?"

"I'm sure Mr Hall will be delighted if you will come too," said Mr
Blake, ready at the moment