reater
happiness than that can a woman expect? Cecily had once believed that
life was to be all passion, or a failure. She understood now that there
was a middle path. But against her it was closed.

In a few days she could talk with Eleanor even of bygone things in a
perfectly simple tone, without danger of betraying the thoughts she
must keep secret. One such conversation reminded her of something she
had learnt shortly before she left London.

"Do you remember," she asked, "a family named Denyer, who were at Mrs.
Gluck's?"

Eleanor recollected the name, and the characteristics attached to it.

"An acquaintance of mine who has rooms at Hampstead happened to speak
of the people she is with, and it surprised me to discover that they
were those very Denyers. One of the daughters is paralyzed, poor girl;
I was shocked to remember her, and think of her visited by such a fate.
I believe she was to have married that artist, Mr. Marsh, who gave Mr.
Bradshaw so much amusement. And the eldest--"

She broke off to inquire why Eleanor had looked at her so expressively.

"I'll tell you when you have finished your story. What of the eldest?"

"She has recently married Mr. Musselwhite, who was also one of our old
acquaintances. Mrs. Travis--the lady who tells me all this--says that
Mrs. Denyer is overjoyed at this marriage, for Mr. Musselwhite is the
brother of a baronet!"

"Very satisfactory indeed. Well, now for Mr. Marsh. Edward heard from
Mr. Bradshaw when we were in Sicily, and this young gentleman had a
great part in the letter. It seems he has long abandoned his artistic
career, and gone into commerce."

"That most superior young man? But I remember something about that."

"His business takes him often to Manchester, and he has been
cultivating the acquaintance of the Bradshaws. And now there is an
engagement between him and their eldest daughter."

"Charlotte? What a queer thing to happen! Isn't she about my age?"

"Yes; and, if she fulfils her promise, one of the plainest girls in
existence. Her father jokes about the affair, but evidently doesn't
disapprove."

It was Thursday, and the Spences had decided to start for London on
Friday night. Miriam had been keeping much alone these last few days,
and this morning was out by herself in the usual way. Spence was
engaged with Seaborne. Mrs. Lessingham, Eleanor, and Cecily went to the
Vatican.

Where also was Mallard. He had visited the chapel, and the Stanze,