think nothing then of our welfare, and yet I do not know to
whom I might have looked for hearty friendship and for sympathy in
difficulties, if not to you?" Poor Mrs. Robarts was almost upset
by this. A few months ago, before Lucy's arrival, she would have
declared that the interests of Lady Lufton's family would have been
paramount with her, after and next to those of her own husband.
And even now, it seemed to argue so black an ingratitude on her
part--this accusation that she was indifferent to them! From her
childhood upwards she had revered and loved Lady Lufton, and for
years had taught herself to regard her as an epitome of all that was
good and gracious in woman. Lady Lufton's theories of life had been
accepted by her as the right theories, and those whom Lady Lufton had
liked she had liked. But now it seemed that all these ideas which it
had taken a life to build up were to be thrown to the ground, because
she was bound to defend a sister-in-law whom she had only known for
the last eight months. It was not that she regretted a word that she
had spoken on Lucy's behalf. Chance had thrown her and Lucy together,
and, as Lucy was her sister, she should receive from her a sister's
treatment. But she did not the less feel how terrible would be the
effect of any disseverance from Lady Lufton. "Oh, Lady Lufton," she
said, "do not say that."

"But Fanny, dear, I must speak as I find. You were talking about
clouds just now, and do you think that all this is not a cloud in my
sky? Ludovic tells me that he is attached to Miss Robarts, and you
tell me that she is attached to him; and I am called upon to decide
between them. Her very act obliges me to do so."

"Dear Lady Lufton," said Mrs. Robarts, springing from her seat. It
seemed to her at the moment as though the whole difficulty were to be
solved by an act of grace on the part of an old friend.

"And yet I cannot approve of such a marriage," said Lady Lufton. Mrs.
Robarts returned to her seat saying nothing further.

"Is not that a cloud on one's horizon?" continued her ladyship. "Do
you think that I can be basking in the sunshine while I have such a
weight upon my heart as that? Ludovic will soon be home, but instead
of looking to his return with pleasure I dread it. I would prefer
that he should remain in Norway. I would wish that he should stay
away for months. And, Fanny, it is a great addition to my misfortune
to feel that you do not sympathize with me." Having