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ends among the journalists.' 'Still,' replied Marian, 'I'm afraid they couldn't have given the book much praise, if they wrote honestly. Did Amy ask you to go and see her?' 'Yes, but she said it was uncertain how long they would be living at their present address. And really, we can't feel sure whether we should be welcome or not just now.' Marian listened with bent head. She too had to make known to her friends that they were not welcome in her own home; but she knew not how to utter words which would sound so unkind. 'Your brother,' she said after a pause, 'will soon find suitable friends for you.' 'Before long,' replied Dora, with a look of amusement, 'he's going to take us to call on Mrs Boston Wright. I hardly thought he was serious at first, but he says he really means it.' Marian grew more and more silent. At home she had felt that it would not be difficult to explain her troubles to these sympathetic girls, but now the time had come for speaking, she was oppressed by shame and anxiety. True, there was no absolute necessity for making the confession this evening, and if she chose to resist her father's prejudice, things might even go on in a seemingly natural way. But the loneliness of her life had developed in her a sensitiveness which could not endure situations such as the present; difficulties which are of small account to people who take their part in active social life, harassed her to the destruction of all peace. Dora was not long in noticing the dejected mood which had come upon her friend. 'What's troubling you, Marian?' 'Something I can hardly bear to speak of. Perhaps it will be the end of your friendship for me, and I should find it very hard to go back to my old solitude.' The girls gazed at her, in doubt at first whether she spoke seriously. 'What can you mean?' Dora exclaimed. 'What crime have you been committing?' Maud, who leaned with her elbows on the table, searched Marian's face curiously, but said nothing. 'Has Mr Milvain shown you the new number of The Current?' Marian went on to ask. They replied with a negative, and Maud added: 'He has nothing in it this month, except a review.' 'A review?' repeated Marian in a low voice. 'Yes; of somebody's novel.' 'Markland's,' supplied Dora. Marian drew a breath, but remained for a moment with her eyes cast down. 'Do go on, dear,' urged Dora. 'Whatever are you going to tell us?' 'There's a notice of father
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