rance, as that period generally does. Settlements were drawn,
and only awaited signature. The bride seemed occupied with dress, and
receiving visits and presents, and reading and writing letters of that
sort which ought to be done by machinery.

The bridegroom hovered about the house, running in and out on this or
that pretext.

She received his presence graciously, read him the letters of her female
friends, and forced herself to wear a look of languid complacency,
especially before others.

Under all this routine she had paroxysms of secret misery, and he was in
tortures.

These continued until the eve of the wedding, and then he breathed
freely. No letter had come from the United States, and to-morrow was the
wedding-day. The chances were six to one no letter came that day, and,
even if one should, he had now an excuse ready for keeping Lally on
the premises that particular morning. At one o'clock he would be flying
south with his bride.

He left the villa to dress for dinner. During this interval Jael Dence
called.

The housemaid knocked at Grace's door--she was dressing--and told her
Jael wished to see her.

Grace was surprised, and much disturbed. It flashed on her in a moment
that this true and constant lover of Henry Little had come to enjoy her
superiority. She herself had greatly desired this meeting once, but now
it could only serve to mortify her. The very thought that this young
woman was near her set her trembling; but she forced herself to appear
calm, and, turning to her maid, said, "Tell her I can see no one
to-day."

The lady's maid gave this message to the other servant, and she went
down-stairs with it.

The message, however, had not been gone long when the desire to put a
question to Jael Dence returned strongly upon Grace Carden.

She yielded to an uncontrollable impulse, and sent her maid down to say
that she would speak to Jael Dence, in her bedroom, the last thing at
night.

"The last thing at night!" said Jael, coloring with indignation; "and
where am I to find a bed after that?"

"Oh," said the late footman, now butler, "you shall not leave the house.
I'll manage that for you with the housekeeper."

At half-past eleven o'clock that night Grace dismissed her maid, and
told her to bring Jael Dence to her.

Jael came, and they confronted each other once more.

"You can go," said Grace to the maid.

They were alone, and eyed each other strangely.

"Sit down," said Grace, co