hat pertains to you and your office; and shall feel the
keenest regret if this refusal should operate to prevent a lifelong
friendship between us.--I am, my dear Bishop of Melchester, ever
sincerely yours,

'VIVIETTE CONSTANTINE.'

A sudden revulsion from the subterfuge of writing as if she were still a
widow, wrought in her mind a feeling of dissatisfaction with the whole
scheme of concealment; and pushing aside the letter she allowed it to
remain unfolded and unaddressed. In a few minutes she heard Swithin
approaching, when she put the letter out of the way and turned to receive
him.

Swithin entered quietly, and looked round the room. Seeing with
unexpected pleasure that she was there alone, he came over and kissed
her. Her discomposure at some foregone event was soon obvious.

'Has my staying caused you any trouble?' he asked in a whisper. 'Where
is your brother this morning?'

She smiled through her perplexity as she took his hand. 'The oddest
things happen to me, dear Swithin,' she said. 'Do you wish particularly
to know what has happened now?'

'Yes, if you don't mind telling me.'

'I do mind telling you. But I must. Among other things I am resolving
to give way to your representations,--in part, at least. It will be best
to tell the Bishop everything, and my brother, if not other people.'

'I am truly glad to hear it, Viviette,' said he cheerfully. 'I have felt
for a long time that honesty is the best policy.'

'I at any rate feel it now. But it is a policy that requires a great
deal of courage!'

'It certainly requires some courage,--I should not say a great deal; and
indeed, as far as I am concerned, it demands less courage to speak out
than to hold my tongue.'

'But, you silly boy, you don't know what has happened. The Bishop has
made me an offer of marriage.'

'Good gracious, what an impertinent old man! What have you done about
it, dearest?'

'Well, I have hardly accepted him,' she replied, laughing. 'It is this
event which has suggested to me that I should make my refusal a reason
for confiding our situation to him.'

'What would you have done if you had not been already appropriated?'

'That's an inscrutable mystery. He is a worthy man; but he has very
pronounced views about his own position, and some other undesirable
qualities. Still, who knows? You must bless your stars that you have
secured me. Now let us consider how to draw up our confession to him.