perienced young woman might have consoled
herself. She had enough to do, now that the unsuspected stimulus of her
life was withdrawn for the moment, to go on steadily without making any
outward show of it. She had come to the first real trial of her strength
and worthiness. And Nettie did not know what a piece of heroism she was
enacting, nor that the hardest lesson of youthful life--how to go on
stoutly without the happiness which that absolute essence of existence
demands and will not be refused--was being taught her now. She only knew
it was dull work just for the moment--a tedious sort of routine, which
one was glad to think could not last for ever; and so went on, the
steadfast little soul, no one being any the wiser, upon that
suddenly-clouded, laborious way.

It is sad to be obliged to confess that Dr Rider's conduct was nothing
like so heroical. He, injured and indignant and angry, thought first of
all of revenging himself upon Nettie--of proving to her that he would
get over it, and that there were women in the world more reasonable
than herself. Dr Marjoribanks, who had already made those advances to
the doctor which that poor young fellow had gone to carry the news of,
not without elation of heart, on that memorable night, to St Roque's,
asked Edward to dinner a few days after; and Miss Marjoribanks made
herself very agreeable, with just that degree of delicate regard and
evident pleasure in his society which is so soothing when one has met
with a recent discomfiture. Miss Marjoribanks, it is true, was over
thirty, and by no means a Titania. Edward Rider, who had retired from
the field in Bessie Christian's case, and whom Nettie had rejected,
asked himself savagely why he should not make an advantageous marriage
now, when the chance offered. Old Marjoribanks's practice and savings,
with a not unagreeable, rather clever, middle-aged wife--why should
he not take it into consideration? The young doctor thought of that
possibility with a certain thrill of cruel pleasure. He said to himself
that he would make his fortune, and be revenged on Nettie. Whenever
there was a chance of Nettie hearing of it, he paid the most devoted
attentions to Miss Marjoribanks. Ready gossips took it up and made the
matter public. Everybody agreed it would be an admirable arrangement.
"The most sensible thing I've heard of for years--step into the old
fellow's practice, and set himself up for life--eh, don't you think
so?--that's my op