under a
spell, only to be broken by an act of self-humiliation to which she would
not bend. Longing for the wholesome atmosphere of Hiltonbury, she could
not brook to purchase her entrance there by permitting herself to be
pardoned. There was one whom she fully intended should come and entreat
her return, and the terms of her capitulation had many a time been
arranged with herself; but when he came not, though her heart ached after
him, pride still forbade one homeward step, lest it should seem to be in
quest of him, or in compliance with his wishes.

Here, then, was a summons to England--nay, into his very parish--without
compromising her pride or forcing her to show deference to rejected
counsel. Nay, in contrast with her cousins, she felt her sentiments so
lofty and generous that she was filled with the gladness of conscious
goodness, so like the days of her early childhood, that a happy dew
suffused her eyes, and she seemed to hear the voice of old Thames. Her
loathing for the views of her cousins had borne down all resentment at
her brother's folly and Edna's presumption; and relieved that it was not
worse, and full of pity for the girl she had really loved, Honor's
grieved displeasure and Charles's kind project together made her the
ardent partisan of the young wife. Because Honor intimated that the girl
had been artful, and had forced herself on Owen, Lucilla was resolved
that her favourite had been the most perfect of heroines; and that
circumstance alone should bear such blame as could not be thrown on Honor
herself and the Wrapworth gossipry. Poor circumstances!

The journey gave her no concern. The way was direct to Ostend, and
Spitzwasserfitzung contained a '_pension_,' which was a great resort of
incipient English governesses, so that there were no difficulties such as
to give her enterprising spirit the least concern. She refused the
escort that Rashe would have pressed upon her, and made her farewells
with quiet resolution. No further remonstrance was offered; and though
each party knew that what had passed would be a barrier for ever, good
breeding preferred an indifferent parting. There were light, cheery
words, but under the full consciousness that the friendship begun in
perverseness had ended in contempt.

Horatia turned aside with a good-natured 'Poor child! she will soon wish
herself back.' Lucilla, taking her last glance, sighed as she thought,
'My father did not like them. But for H