t as she was breaking down. "Something
diplomatic, of course. Well, we must not inquire into the secrets of the
State. But what an ease to his mind, my dear lady, to think that his
wife and child will be safe with you while he's away!"

Mary Dale not being present could not of course say anything. She was a
person who was always dreadfully well informed. It was a comfort
unspeakable that at this moment she was away!

This explanation made the spring pass quietly enough, but not without
many questions that brought the blood to Elinor's face. When she was
asked by some one, for the first time, "When do you expect Mr. Compton,
Elinor?" the sudden wild flush of colour which flooded her countenance
startled the questioner as much as the question did herself. "Oh, I beg
your pardon!" said the injudicious but perfectly innocent seeker for
information. I fear that Elinor fell upon her mother after this, and
demanded to know what she had said. But as Mrs. Dennistoun was innocent
of anything but having said that Philip was abroad, there was no
satisfaction to be got out of that. Some time after, one of the Miss
Hills congratulated Elinor, having seen in the papers that Mr. Compton
was returning to town for the season. "I suppose, dear Elinor, we shan't
have you with us much longer," this lady said. And then it became known
at the Cottage that Mary Dale was returning to the Rectory. This was the
last aggravation, and Elinor, who had now recovered her strength and
energy, and temper along with it, received the news with an outburst of
impatience which frightened her mother. "You may as well go through the
parish and ring the bell, and tell everybody everything," she said.
"Mary Dale will have heard all, and a great deal more than all; she will
come with her budget, and pour it out far and wide; she will report
scenes that never took place: and quarrels, and all that--that woman
insinuated to John--and she will be surrounded with people who will
shake their heads, and sink their voices when we come in and say, 'Poor
Elinor!' I cannot bear it, I cannot bear it," she cried.

"My darling! that was bound to come sooner or later. We must set our
faces like a rock, and look as if we were unaware of anything----"

"I cannot look as if I were unaware. I cannot meet all their cruel eyes.
I can see, now, the smile on Mary Dale's face, that will say, 'I told
you so.' I shall hear her say it even when I am in my room, with the
combe between.