e for her.
She knows that Sholto and I have been intimate since
we were children; and there is something odious in her,
of all people, pretending to misunderstand us. What is
worse, she was particularly friendly and confidential with
me while she was here; and although I tried to keep
away from her at first, she persisted in conciliating me,
and persuaded me that Douglas had entirely mistaken
what she said that other time. Who could have expected
her to turn round and calumniate me the moment my
back was turned! How can people do such things! I
hope we shall not meet her again; for I will never speak
to her. I have not said anything to Douglas. How
could I? It would only make mischief. I feel that the
right course is to come home as soon as I can, and in the
meantime to avoid him as much as possible. So you
may expect me on Saturday next. Mr. McQuinch is
quite dismayed at my departure, which he says will be
the signal for a general breaking up; but this I cannot
help. I shall be glad to go home, of course. Still, I
am sorry to leave this place, where we have all been so
jolly. I will write and let you know what train I shall
come by; but you need not trouble to meet me, unless
you like: I can get home quite well by myself. After
all, it is just as well that I am getting away. It _was_
pleasant enough; but now I feel utterly disgusted with
everything and everybody. I find I must stop. They
have just come in from church; and I must go down.

"Your affectionate
"MARIAN."

CHAPTER XVI

One Saturday afternoon in December Marian and Elinor sat drinking tea in
the drawing-room at Holland Park. Elinor was present as an afternoon
caller: she no longer resided with the Conollys. Marian had been lamely
excusing herself for not having read Elinor's last book.

"Pray dont apologize," said Elinor. "I remember the time when you would
have forced yourself to read it from a sense of duty; and I am too
delighted to find that nonsense washing out of you at last to feel the
wound to my vanity. Oh, say no more, my dear you can read it still
whenever you please. Brother George read it, and was shocked because the
heroine loves the villain and tells him so without waiting to be asked.
It is odd that long ago, when I believed so devoutly in the tender
passion, I never could write a really flaming love story