ion that she should stay and toy
with him;--that she should bear the pressure of his arm, or return
his caresses. But there had come upon her a sharp desire to show her
gratitude before she left him,--to show her gratitude, and to prove,
by some personal action towards him, that though she had been forced
to tell him that she did not love him,--that she did not love him
after the fashion in which his love was given to her,--that yet he
was dear to her, as our dearest friends are dear. And therefore, when
he had stretched out his hand to her in sign of the offer which he
was making her, she had raised it to her lips and kissed it.

Very shortly after she had left the room Mrs. Fenwick came to him.
"Well, Harry," she said, coming up close to him, and looking into his
eyes to see how it had fared with him, "tell me that I may wish you
joy."

"She has promised that she will be my wife," he said.

"And is not that what you have so long wished?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Then why are you not elated?"

"I have no doubt she will tell you all. But do not suppose, Mrs.
Fenwick, that I am not thankful. She has behaved very well,--and she
has accepted me. She has explained to me in what way her acceptance
has been given, and I have submitted to it."

"Now, Harry, you are going to make yourself wretched about some
romantic trifle."

"I am not going to make myself miserable at all. I am much less
miserable than I could have believed to be possible six months ago.
She has told me that she will be my wife, and I do not for a moment
think that she will go back from her word."

"Then what is it?"

"I have not won her as other men do. Never mind;--I do not mean to
complain. Mrs. Fenwick, I shall trust you to let me know when she
will be glad to see me here."

"Of course you will come when you like and how you like. You must be
quite at home here."

"As far as you and Frank are concerned, that would be a
matter-of-course to me. But it cannot be so--yet--in regard to Mary.
At any rate, I will not intrude upon her till I know that my coming
will not be a trouble to her." After this it was not necessary that
Mrs. Fenwick should be told much more of the manner in which these
new betrothals had been made.

Mary was, of course, congratulated both by the Vicar and his wife,
and she received their congratulations with a dignity of deportment
which, even from her, almost surprised them. She said scarcely a
word, but smiled as she was kis