ng of disappointment. He was badly dressed, and bore a sad,
depressed, downtrodden aspect. His whole appearance was what the
world now calls seedy. And he seemed to be almost unable to speak.
Miss Marrable knew that Mr. Gilmore was a man disappointed in his
love, but she did not conceive that love had done him all these
injuries. Love, however, had done them all. "Are you going to stay
long in this neighbourhood?" asked Miss Marrable, almost in despair
for a subject.

Then the man's mouth was opened. "No; I suppose not," he said. "I
don't know what should keep me here, and I hardly know why I'm come.
Of course you have heard of my suit to your niece." Miss Marrable
bowed her courtly little head in token of assent. "When Miss Lowther
left us, she gave me some hope that I might be successful. At least,
she consented that I should ask her once more. She has now written to
tell me that she is engaged to her cousin."

"There is something of the kind," said Miss Marrable.

"Something of the kind! I suppose it is settled; isn't it?"

Miss Marrable was a sensible woman, one not easily led away by
appearances. Nevertheless, it is probable that had Mr. Gilmore been
less lugubrious, more sleek, less "seedy," she would have been more
prone than she now was to have made instant use of Captain Marrable's
loss of fortune on behalf of this other suitor. She would immediately
have felt that perhaps something might be done, and she would have
been tempted to tell him the whole story openly. As it was she could
not so sympathise with the man before her, as to take him into her
confidence. No doubt he was Mr. Gilmore, the favoured friend of the
Fenwicks, the owner of the Privets, and the man of whom Mary had
often said that there was no fault to be found with him. But there
was nothing bright about him, and she did not know how to encourage
him as a lover. "As Mary has told you," she said, "I suppose there
can be no harm in my repeating that they are engaged," said Miss
Marrable.

"Of course they are. I am aware of that. I believe the gentleman is
related to you."

"He is a cousin,--not very near."

"And I suppose he has your good will?"

"As to that, Mr. Gilmore, I don't know that I can do any good by
speaking. Young ladies in these days don't marry in accordance with
the wishes of their old aunts."

"But Miss Lowther thinks so much of you! I don't want to ask any
questions that ought not to be asked. If this match is so settl