been forced to think of as

"A maid whom there were few to praise
And very few to love,"

she now found loved by one at least, and praised in terms that thrilled
through and through the mother's heart in their truth and simplicity,
for that sincerity, generosity, and unselfishness. It was her own
daughter, her real Rachel, no illusion, that she heard described in
those grave earnest words, only while the whole world saw the errors and
exaggerated them, here was one who sank them all in the sterling worth
that so few would recognise. The dear old lady forgot all her prudence,
and would hardly let him speak of his means; but she soon saw that
Rachel's present portion would be more than met on his side, and that no
one could find fault with her on the score of inequality of fortune. He
would have been quite able to retire, and live at ease, but this he
said at once and with decision he did not intend. His regiment was his
hereditary home, and his father had expressed such strong wishes that
he should not lightly desert his profession, that he felt bound to it by
filial duty as well as by other motives. Moreover, he thought the change
of life and occupation would be the best thing for Rachel, and Mrs.
Curtis could not but acquiesce, little as she had even dreamt that a
daughter of hers would marry into a marching regiment! Her surrender of
judgment was curiously complete. "Dear Alexinder," as thenceforth she
called him had assumed the mastery over her from the first turn they
took under the cathedral, and when at length he reminded her that
the clock was on the stroke of one, she accepted it on his infallible
judgment, for her own sensations would have made her believe it not a
quarter of an hour since the interview had begun.

Not a word had been granted on either side to the conventional vows of
secrecy, always made to be broken, and perhaps each tacitly felt that
the less secrecy the better for Rachel. Certain it is that Mrs. Curtis
went into the Deanery with her head considerably higher, kissed Rachel
vehemently, and, assuring her she knew all about it, and was happier
than she had ever thought to be again, excused her from appearing at
luncheon, and hurried down thereto, without giving any attention to a
feeble entreaty that she would not go so fast. And when at three o'clock
Rachel crept downstairs to get into the carriage for her return home,
the good old Dean lay in wait for her, told her she mu