.

DEAREST, DEAREST FLORENCE:--They will not let me out, or I would go
to you at once. My mother has written, and though I have not seen
her letter, I know what it contains. Indeed, indeed you may believe
it all. May I not venture to return the parcel? I do send it back,
and implore you to keep it. I shall be in town, I think, on Monday,
and will go to Onslow Crescent--instantly.

Your own, H. C.

Then there was scrawled a postscript which was worth all the rest put
together--was better than his own note, better than his mother's letter,
better than the returned packet. "I love no one better than you--no one
half so well--neither now, nor ever did." These words, whether wholly
true or only partially so, were at least to the point, and were taken by
Cecilia Burton, when she heard of them, as a confession of faith that
demanded instant and plenary absolution.

The trouble which had called Harry down to Clavering remained I regret
to say, almost in full force now that his prolonged visit had been
brought so near its close. Mr. Saul, indeed, had agreed to resign his
curacy, and was already on the look-out for similar employment in some
other parish. And, since his interview with Fanny's father, he had never
entered the rectory or spoken to Fanny. Fanny had promised that there
should be no such speaking, and, indeed, no danger of that kind was
feared. Whatever Mr. Saul might do, he would do openly--nay,
audaciously. But, though there existed this security, nevertheless
things as regarded Fanny were very unpleasant. When Mr. Saul had
commenced his courtship, she had agreed with her family in almost
ridiculing the idea of such a lover. There had been a feeling with her
as with the others, that poor Mr. Saul was to be pitied. Then she had
come to regard his overtures as matters of grave import--not, indeed,
avowing to her mother anything so strong as a return of his affection,
but speaking of his proposal as one to which there was no other
objection than that of a want of money. Now, however, she went moping
about the house as though she were a victim of true love, condemned to
run unsmoothly forever--as though her passion for Mr. Saul were too much
for her, and she were waiting in patience till death should relieve her
from the cruelty of her parents. She never complained. Such victims
never do complain. But she moped and was wretched, and when her mother
questioned her, struggling to find out h