en to Bessie herself.

Harry Musgrave had not yet arrived at Brook, but after a day devoted to
her mother Bessie's next opportunity for a visit was devoted to Harry's
mother. She mentioned to Lady Latimer where she was going, and though my
lady looked stern she did not object. On Bessie's return, however, she
found something to say, and cast off all reserves: "Mr. Harry Musgrave
has not come, but he is coming. Had I known beforehand, I should have
preferred to have you here in his absence. Elizabeth, I shall consider
that young man very deficient in honorable feeling if he attempt to
interfere between you and your true interest."

"That I am sure he never will," said Bessie with animation.

"He is not over-modest. If you are advised by me you will be distant
with him--you will give him no advantage by which he may imagine himself
encouraged. Any foolish promise that you exchanged when you were last
here must be forgotten."

Bessie replied with much quiet dignity: "You know, Lady Latimer, that I
was not brought up to think rank and riches essential, and the
experience I have had of them has not been so enticing that I should
care to sacrifice for their sake a true and tried affection. Harry
Musgrave and I are dear friends, and, since you speak to me so frankly,
I will tell you that we propose to be friends for life."

Lady Latimer grew very red, very angry: "Do you tell me that you will
marry that young man--without birth, without means, without a profession
even? What has he, or is he, that should tempt you to throw away the
fine position that awaits your acceptance?"

"He has a real kindness for me, a real unselfish love, and I would
rather be enriched with that than be ever so exalted. It is an old
promise. I always did love Harry Musgrave, and never anybody else."

Lady Latimer fumed, walked about and sat down again: "How are you to
live?"

"I don't know," said Bessie cheerfully. "Like other young people--partly
on our prospects. But we do not talk of marrying yet."

"It is a relief to hear that you do not talk of marrying yet, though how
you can dream of marrying young Mr. Musgrave at all, when you have Mr.
Cecil Burleigh at your feet, is to me a strange, incomprehensible
infatuation."

"Mr. Cecil Burleigh is not at my feet any longer. He has got up and gone
back to Miss Julia Gardiner's feet, which he ought never to have left.
Grandpapa's will has the effect of making two charming people happy, and
I am