he owner of the room was
leaning her head against the glass, and, with an effort for indifference
said, 'Did I hear that--that you were expecting your brother?'

'You are Cecily!' exclaimed Phoebe, instead of answering.

And Cecily, turning away from the window, leant against the wall for
support, and her pale face crimsoning, said, 'I thought you did not
know.'

'My sisters do not,' said Phoebe; 'but he told me, when--when he hoped--'

'And now you will help me?' said Cecily, hurrying out her words, as if
overpowering one of her wills. 'You will, I know! I have promised my
father and uncle to have nothing to do with him. Do not let me be taken
by surprise. Give me notice, that I may get Aunt Holmby away before he
comes.'

'Oh! must it be so?' cried Phoebe. 'He is not like what he used to be.'

'I have promised,' repeated Cecily; and grasping Phoebe's wrist, she
added, 'you will help me to keep my promise.'

'I will,' said Phoebe, in her grave, reliable voice, and Cecily drew a
long breath.

There were five minutes of silence, while Phoebe stood studying Cecily,
and thinking how much injustice she had done to her, how little she had
expected a being so soft and feeling in her firmness, and grieving the
more at Mervyn's loss. Cecily at last spoke, 'When will he come?'

'We cannot tell; most likely not for a week, perhaps not for a fortnight.
It depends on how he likes Corsica.'

'I think my aunt will be willing to go,' said Cecily. 'My uncle has been
talking of Nice.'

'Then must we lose you,' said Phoebe, 'when you are doing Bertha so much
good?'

'I should like to be with you while I can, if I may,' said Cecily, her
eyes full of tears.

'Did you know us at first?' said Phoebe.

'I knew you were in this hotel; and after your sisters had spoken, and I
saw Bertha's face, I was sure who she was. I thought no one was with you
but Miss Charlecote, and that no one knew, so that I might safely indulge
myself.' The word was out before she could recall it, and trying, as it
were, to hide it, she said, 'But how, if you knew what had passed, did
you not sooner know it was I?'

'Because we thought your name was Holmby.'

'Did you, indeed. You did not know that my aunt Holmby is my mother's
sister? She kindly took me when my uncle was ordered to spend this
winter abroad.'

'You were ill and tried. Bertha read that in your face. Oh! when you
see how much difference--'

'I must not see. Do not tal