replenished as though she had been a
daughter of the house, and nothing had marked the difference; indeed, the
amply provided Horatia had probably intended that things were to go on as
usual. Lucilla had been allowed to forget the existence of accounts, in
a family which habitually ignored them. Things had gone smoothly; the
beautiful little Miss Sandbrook was an advertisement to her milliners,
and living among wealthy people, and reported to be on the verge of
marriage with a millionaire, there had been no hesitation in allowing her
unlimited credit.

Probably the dressmaker had been alarmed by the long absence of the
family, and might have learnt from the servants how Lucilla had quitted
them, therefore thinking it expedient to remind her of her liabilities.
And not only did the present spectacle make her giddy, but she knew there
was worse beyond. The Frenchwoman who supplied all extra adornments,
among them the ball-dress whose far bitterer price she was paying, could
make more appalling demands; and there must be other debts elsewhere,
such that she doubted whether her entire fortune would clear both her
brother and herself. What was the use of thinking? It must be done, and
the sooner she knew the worst the better. She felt very ill-used,
certain that her difficulties were caused by Horatia's inattention, and
yet glad to be quit of an obligation that would have galled her as soon
as she had become sensible of it. It was more than ever clear that she
must work for herself, instead of returning to the Holt, as a dependent
instead of a guest. Was she humbled enough?

The funeral day began by her writing notes to claim her bills, and to
take steps to get her capital into her own hands. Owen drowned
reflection in geometry, till it was time to go by the train to Wrapworth.

There Mr. Prendergast fancied he had secured secrecy by eluding questions
and giving orders at the latest possible moment. The concourse in the
church and churchyard was no welcome sight to him, since he could not
hope that the tall figure of the chief mourner could remain unrecognized.
Worthy man, did he think that Wrapworth needed that sight to assure them
of what each tongue had wagged about for many a day?

Owen behaved very properly and with much feeling. When not driving it
out by other things, the fact was palpable to him that he had brought
this fair young creature to her grave; and in the very scenes where her
beauty and enthu