? She was angry with herself when
she asked the question, but still she asked it. She knew that she
owed nothing to Sir Francis Geraldine, and that she owed all to Mr.
Western. But still she asked it, because in that way could she best
strengthen herself against the telling of the story. The more she
turned the matter in her mind, the more impossible to her became
the task of telling it. At last she resolved that she would not
tell it now. She would not tell it at any rate till she again saw
him,--because Miss Altifiorla had told her that she "presumed he had
pardoned her that episode."

It was arranged that they should be married at Exeter in April. Their
house there was not yet vacant, but would be lent to them for a
fortnight. After the marriage Mrs. Holt would go into lodgings, and
remain there till the house should be ready for her. But they were
both to return to Exeter together, and then there would be bustle
and confusion till the happy ceremony should have been performed. It
was arranged that she should have but two bridesmaids, but she was
determined that she would not ask Miss Altifiorla to be one of them.
A younger sister of Mrs. Green and a younger sister also of Maude
Hippesley were chosen. Miss Altifiorla, when she came to see Cecilia
on her return, expressed herself as quite satisfied. "It is best so,
dear," she said. "I was afraid that you would ask me. Of course I
should have done it, but my heart would not have been there. You can
understand it all, I know." Cecilia's wrath had become mitigated by
this time, and she answered her friend civilly. "Just so. You think
I ought to be an old maid, and therefore do not like to lend a hand
at turning me into a young wife. I have got two girls who have no
objection on that score." "You might find a hundred in Exeter," said
Miss Altifiorla proudly, "and yet I may be right in my opinions."

Mr. Western was to come down to Exeter only on the day before the
marriage. The Holts had seen him as they came through London where
they slept one night, but as yet the story had not been told. Cecilia
expected, almost wished, that the story might reach him from other
quarters. It was so natural now that he should talk about the girl
whom he intended to marry, and so natural,--as Cecilia thought,--that
in doing so he should hear the name of Sir Francis Geraldine. Sir
Francis was a man well known to the world of fashion, and many men
must have heard of his intended marriage.