rprise, but not the look of blank
astonishment with which her news was received.

"Mary, you cannot mean to do it," she uttered, as soon as she was able
to speak.

"By my troth, I know not what you mean, Maud," said Mary, indignantly.

"Prithee, tell me it is not true, dear; that it is all a fable about
your marrying Captain Stanhope," said Maud, soothingly.

"Marry, but it is true--true as that your name is Maud Harcourt,"
replied Mary.

Maud rose from her seat and paced up and down the room, and Mary,
looking at her, could only think that she was disappointed. "Tell me,
when did this take place?" said Maud, pausing in her walk and looking
earnestly in Mary's face.

"Marry, but I know not why you should ask this question," said Mary,
indignantly. "Did he propose to you?" she asked, in a tone of bitter
sarcasm.

Maud blushed crimson and turned away, but only for a minute. "Tell me
when he asked you this?" she cried. "Prithee, tell me, Mary. I wish not
to vex you, but this I would know."

"Marry, you may know, it was last night," said Mary, speaking calmly.

"As he walked from the village?" asked Maud.

"Nay, in the garden, after Bertram had left me," said Mary. "I saw him
walking with you from the village," she added.

"Then it must have been after I came indoors," said Maud.

Mary bowed her head. "Even so," she replied. Maud resumed her walk up
and down the room, and Mary sat gazing at her until Maud came and threw
herself on a cushion at her feet, and, forgetting the bitter words that
had been spoken only a minute or two before, she stooped and kissed
Mary's hands. This touched the proud girl's heart, and she said, "I hope
I have not offended you, Maud."

"Prithee, no," said Maud. "But I want you to tell me, Mary, do you love
this Captain Stanhope?" Mary drew back.

"Why do you ask this question?" she said.

"Marry, because I greatly fear he loves not you," said Maud, slowly.

"But tell me does he love you?" said Mary, in a tone of sarcasm.

Maud did not reply to this. She expected the young lady would be angry,
but she was determined to do what she believed to be her duty. "Mary,
sweetheart, we have been as sisters," she said, "and I would you knew
how much I loved you; and by my faith, it is because of this I would bid
you be not too hasty in binding yourself to this Captain Stanhope! It is
pride, not love, that has made him seek you."

"Marry, then we are even," said Mary, with a bitter laugh.