." And Mrs. Chifney, down at the
racing stables, rejoiced to the point of tears, being possessed by the
persistent instinct of matrimony common to the British, lower
middle-class. And Sandyfield parish rejoiced likewise, and pealed its
church-bells in token thereof, foreseeing much carnal gratification in
the matter of cakes and ale. And Madame de Vallorbes, whose letters to
Richard had come to be pretty frequent during the last eight months,
was overtaken by silence and did not write at all.

But this omission on the part of his cousin was grateful, rather than
distressing, to the young man. It appeared to him very sympathetic of
Helen not to write. It showed a finely, imaginative sensibility and
considerateness on her part, which made Dickie sigh, thinking of it,
and then, so to speak, turn away his head. And to do this last was the
less difficult that his days were very full just now. And his mind was
very full, likewise, of gentle thoughts of, and many provisions for,
the happiness of his promised bride.

The young girl was timid in his presence, it is true. Yet she was
transparently, appealing, anxious to please. Her conversation was
neither ready nor brilliant, but she was very fair to look upon in her
childlike freshness and innocence. A protective element, a tender and
chivalrous loyalty, entered into Richard's every thought of her. A
great passion and a happy marriage were two quite separate matters--so
he argued in his inexperience. And this was surely the wife a man
should desire, modest, guileless, dutiful, pure in heart as in person?
The gentle dumbness which often held her did not trouble him. It was a
pretty pastime to try to win her confidence and open the doors of her
artless speech.

And then, to Richard, tempted it is true, but as yet himself unsullied,
it was so sacred and wonderful a thing that this spotless
woman-creature in all the fragrance of her youth belonged to him in a
measure already, and would belong to him, before many weeks were out,
wholly and of inalienable right. And so it happened that the very
limitations of the young girl's nature came to enhance her attractions.
Dickie could not get very near to her mind, but that merely piqued his
curiosity and provoked his desire of discovery. She was to him as a
book written in strange character, difficult to decipher. With the
result that he accredited her with subtleties and many fine feelings
she did not really possess, while he failed to