ce than when his cousin was present to
make the best of them by his loyal love, he deserted home more and more
for Therford Hall. Dora and I were hardly sorry, for he was very cross
to her, and had almost forgotten his deference to me; but I certainly
was not prepared for the announcement of his engagement to Hippolyta
Horsman.

From sheepishness and want of savoir faire, he had not even properly
withdrawn his suit from Viola Tracy, thus making Lady Diana and Lord
Erymanth very angry, though the damsel herself was delighted. I had
ventured to give one little hint of how the land lay with Harold, and
she had glowed with a look of intense gladness as of being confirmed in
a happy belief. I don't even now think it was wrong. It might have
been imprudent, but it made that year of her life full of a calm bright
hope and joy that neither she nor I can ever regret.

As far as could be guessed, Hippolyta's first and strongest attraction
had been towards Harold; but when it had been met by distaste and
disregard, she had turned her attention to the squire, who could be
easily gained by judicious flattery. In those days, I could see no
excuse for Hippolyta, and ascribed no motives to her but
fortune-hunting and despair at being a spinster so long; but I have
since learnt to think that she had a genuine wish to be in a position
of usefulness rather than to continue her aimless life of rattle and
excitement, and that she had that impulse to take care of Eustace and
protect him which strong-minded women sometimes seem to feel for weak
men.

The courtship was conducted at archery meetings, and afterwards at
shooting parties, out of my sight and suspicion, though the whole
neighbourhood was talking of it, and Miss Avice Stympson had come to
Arghouse to inquire about it, and impart her great disapproval of
Hippo, long before it was officially announced to me, and Eustace at
the same time kindly invited Mrs. Alison and me to remain where I was
till after the wedding. I understood that this had been dictated to
him, and was an intimation which I scarcely needed, that Arghouse would
be our home no longer.

Just as I was thinking what proposal to make to Mrs. Alison came
Harold's letters about his unfortunate Australian double. His first
letter to the poor old lady merely told her that he had found her son,
and that he was at Sydney, laid up by a bad accident received in a fray
with the police. His back was hurt, but there was