when they were
seated, got hold of Florence's hand, and pressed it warmly. "Dearest,"
said she, "I am so glad to have you with us once again." "And now," said
Florence, speaking with a calmness that was almost unnatural, "tell me
all the truth."

All the truth! What a demand it was. And yet Cecilia had expected that
none less would be made upon her. Of course Florence must have known
that there was something wrong. Of course she would ask as to her lover
immediately upon her arrival. "And now tell me all the truth."

"Oh, Florence!"

"The truth, then, is very bad?" said Florence, gently. "Tell me first of
all whether you have seen him. Is he ill?"

"He was with us on Friday. He is not ill."

"Thank God for that. Has anything happened to him? Has he lost money?"

"No; I have heard nothing about money."

"Then he is tired of me. Tell me at once, my own one. You know me so
well. I can bear it. Don't treat me like a coward."

"No; it is not that. It is not that he is tired of you. If you had heard
him speak of you on Friday--that you were the noblest, purest, dearest,
best of women--" This was imprudent on her part; but what loving woman
could have endured to be prudent?

"Then what is it?" asked Florence, almost sternly. "Look here, Cecilia;
if it be anything touching himself or his own character, I will put up
with it, in spite of anything my brother may say. Though he had been a
murderer, if that were possible, I would not leave him. I never will,
unless he leaves me. Where is he?"

"He is in town." Mrs. Burton had not received Harry's note, telling her
of his journey to Clavering, before she had left home. Now, at this
moment, it was waiting for her in Onslow Crescent.

"And am I to see him? Cecilia why cannot you tell me how it is? In such
a case I should tell you--should tell you everything at once; because I
know that you are not a coward. Why cannot you do so to me?"

"You have heard of Lady Ongar?"

"Heard of her; yes. She treated Harry very badly before her marriage."

"She has come back to London, a widow."

"I know she has. And Harry has gone back to her! Is that it? Do you mean
to tell me that Harry and she are to be married?"

"No; I cannot say that. I hope it is not so. Indeed, I do not think it."

"Then what have I to fear? Does she object to his marrying me? What has
she to do between us?"

"She wishes that Harry should come back to her, and Harry has been
unsteady. He has been with he