n Mary
Lowther would of all women be the least likely to do so. "That is one
of those questions," she said, "which it is almost impossible for a
person to answer. In the first place, before answering it, we should
have a clear definition of love."

"You know what I mean well enough."

"I do know what you mean, but I hardly do know how to answer you. If
you went to Mary Lowther now, she would take it almost as an insult;
and she would feel it in that light, because she is aware that you
know of this story of her cousin."

"Of course I shall not go to her at once."

"She will never forget him altogether."

"Such things cannot be forgotten," said Gilmore.

"Nevertheless," said Mrs. Fenwick, "it is probable that Mary will be
married some day. These wounds get themselves cured as do others."

"I shall never be cured of mine," said he, laughing. "As for Mary,
I hardly know what to think. I suppose girls do marry without caring
very much for the men they take. One sees it every day; and then
afterwards, they love their husbands. It isn't very romantic, but it
seems to me that it is so."

"Don't think of it too much, Harry," said Mrs. Fenwick. "If you still
are devoted to her--"

"Indeed I am."

"Then wait awhile, and we will have her at Bullhampton again. You
know at any rate what our wishes are."

Everything had been very quiet at Bullhampton during the last three
months. The mill was again in regular work, and Sam had remained at
home with fair average regularity. The Vicar had heard nothing more
of Carry Brattle, and had been unable to trace her or to learn where
she was living. He had taken various occasions to mention her name to
her mother, but Mrs. Brattle knew nothing of her, and believed that
Sam was equally ignorant with herself. Both she and the Vicar found
it impossible to speak to Sam on the subject, though they knew that
he had been with his sister more than once when she was living at
Pycroft Common. As for the miller himself, no one had mentioned
Carry's name to him since the day on which the Vicar had made his
attempt. And from that day to the present there had been, if not ill
blood, at least cold blood between Mr. Fenwick and old Brattle. The
Vicar had gone down to the mill as often as usual, having determined
that what had occurred should make no difference with him; and the
intercourse with Mrs. Brattle and Fanny had been as kind on each side
as usual;--but the miller had kept out of his way