son or by letter, no communication with Angela
or with anybody about this place for one year from to-day?"

"On the condition that, at the end of the year, I may return and marry
her as soon as I like."

"Certainly; your marriage can take place on the 9th of June next, if
you like, and care to bring a license and a proper settlement--say, of
half your income--with you," answered Philip, with a half smile.

"I take you at your word," said Arthur, eagerly, "that is, if Angela
agrees." Angela made no signs of disagreement. "Then, on those terms,
I give you my promise."

"Very good. Then that is settled, and I will send for a dog-cart to
take you to the four o'clock train. I fear you will hardly be ready
for the 12.25. I shall, however, hope," he added, "to have the
pleasure of presenting this young lady to you for good and all on this
day next year. Good-bye for the present. I shall see you before you
go."

It is painful to have to record that when Arthur got outside the door,
and out of Angela's hearing, he cursed Philip, in his grief and anger,
for the space of some minutes.

To linger over those last hours could only be distressing to the
sympathetic reader of this history, more especially if he, or she, has
ever had the misfortune to pass through such a time in their own
proper persons. The day of any one's departure is always wretched, but
much more is it wretched, when the person departing is a lover, whose
face will not be seen and of whom no postman will bear tidings for a
whole long year.

Some comfort, however, these two took in looking forward to that
joyous day when the year of probation should have been gathered to its
predecessors, and in making the most minute arrangements for their
wedding: how Angela was to warn Mr. Fraser that his services would be
required; where they should go to for their honeymoon, and even of
what flowers the wedding bouquet, which Arthur was to bring down from
town with him, should be composed.

And thus the hours passed away, all too quickly, and each of them
strove to be merry, in order to keep up the spirits of the other. But
it is not in human nature to feel cheerful with a lump of ice upon the
heart! Dinner was even more dismal than breakfast, and Pigott, who had
been informed of the impending misfortune, and who was distrustful of
Philip's motives, though she did not like to add to the general gloom
by saying so, made, after the manner of half-educated people, a
pai