in
the thought that one source of misery was stopped. Hubert was married,
or would be very soon, and if she had sinned in loving him till now,
such sin would henceforth be multiplied incalculably; she durst not, as
she valued her soul, so much as let his name enter her thoughts. And
to guard against it, was there not a means offered her? The doubt as
to what love meant was well-nigh solved; or at all events she held it
proved that the 'love' of the marriage service was something she had
never yet felt, something which would follow upon marriage itself.
Earthly love had surely led Hubert Eldon to ruin; oh, not that could be
demanded of her! What reason had she now to offer against her mother's
desire? Letty's arguments were vain; they were but as the undisciplined
motions of her own heart. Marriage with a worthy man must often have
been salvation to a rudderless life; for was it not the _ceremony_
which, after all, constituted the exclusive sanction?

Mutimer, it was true, fell sadly short of her ideal of goodness. He was
an unbeliever. But might not this very circumstance involve a duty? As
his wife, could she not plead with him and bring him to the truth? Would
not that be _loving_ him, to make his spiritual good the end of her
existence? It was as though a great light shot athwart her darkness.
She raised herself in bed, and, as if with her very hands, clung to the
inspiration which had been granted her. The light was not abiding, but
something of radiance lingered, and that must stead her.

Her brother returned to Belwick next morning after an early breakfast.
He was in his wonted high spirits, and talked with much satisfaction of
the acquaintances he had made on the previous day, while Adela waited
upon him. Mrs. Waltham only appeared as he was setting off.

Adela sat almost in silence whilst her mother breakfasted.

'You don't look well, dear?' said the latter, coming to the little room
upstairs soon after the meal.

'Yes, I am well, mother. But I want to speak to you.'

Mrs. Waltham seated herself in expectation.

'Will you tell me why you so much wish me to marry Mr. Mutimer?'

Adela's tone was quite other than she had hitherto used in conversations
of this kind. It was submissive, patiently questioning.

'You mustn't misunderstand me,' replied the mother with some
nervousness. 'The wish, dear, must of course be yours as well. You know
that I--that I really have left you to consult your own--'

The se