I owed to the couple I had brought
together. But pray go on."

"You are aware that just before you left us my father received a
proposal to exchange his property at Graveleigh for some lands more
desirable to him?"

"I remember. He closed with that offer."

"Yes; Captain Stavers, the new landlord of Graveleigh, seems to be
a very bad man; and though he could not turn the Somerses out of the
cottage so long as they paid rent, which we took care they did pay,--yet
out of a very wicked spite he set up a rival shop in one of his other
cottages in the village, and it became impossible for these poor young
people to get a livelihood at Graveleigh."

"What excuse for spite against so harmless a young couple could Captain
Stavers find or invent?"

Cecilia looked down and coloured. "It was a revengeful feeling against
Jessie."

"Ah, I comprehend."

"But they have now left the village, and are happily settled elsewhere.
Will has recovered his health, and they are prospering much more than
they could ever have done at Graveleigh."

"In that change you were their benefactress, Miss Travers?" said Kenelm,
in a more tender voice and with a softer eye than he had ever before
evinced towards the heiress.

"No, it is not I whom they have to thank and bless."

"Who, then, is it? Your father?"

"No. Do not question me. I am bound not to say. They do not themselves
know; they rather believe that their gratitude is due to you."

"To me! Am I to be forever a sham in spite of myself? My dear Miss
Travers, it is essential to my honour that I should undeceive this
credulous pair; where can I find them?"

"I must not say; but I will ask permission of their concealed
benefactor, and send you their address."

A touch was laid on Kenelm's arm, and a voice whispered, "May I ask you
to present me to Miss Travers?"

"Miss Travers," said Kenelm, "I entreat you to add to the list of your
acquaintances a cousin of mine,--Mr. Chillingly Gordon."

While Gordon addressed to Cecilia the well-bred conventionalisms with
which acquaintance in London drawing-rooms usually commences, Kenelm,
obedient to a sign from Lady Glenalvon, who had just re-entered the
room, quitted his seat, and joined the marchioness.

"Is not that young man whom you left talking with Miss Travers your
clever cousin Gordon?"

"The same."

"She is listening to him with great attention. How his face brightens up
as he talks! He is positively handsome, thus animated