mand.

Bluebell and Cecil had determined beforehand that they must embrace, and
mutually dreaded it. It was not, however, such _a blanc-mange_ affair as
osculation among ladies often is, for they were both agitated by too
vivid memories. Bluebell's feelings were pleasantly diverted by
recognising Jack--blushing with delight like the boy he still was.
Somehow, he was the only one of the party she felt entirely at ease with,
and found herself, as of old, chattering and laughing at as much as with
him, just as if three sorrow-laden years had never intervened.

Dutton contrived to get by Cecil at dinner, though he had not taken her
down, and their conversation was sufficiently interesting to make them
forget their appointed partners.

"And you _are_ quite restored to favour?" Cecil was saying, "and the
uncle not half so implacable as you expected?"

"I don't know about that," cried Harry. "He has altered to _me_, I think.
Bluebell is all the rage now, she actually is admitted into his sanctum
every morning, to read him the papers. I shouldn't wonder if she turned
out Queen Regnante and I were only Prince Consort!"

Cecil, I think, liked Dutton much better than his wife, with whom it was
hard to resume old relations. Besides, she seemed now quite the favourite
of Fortune, with every difficulty and hardship smoothed away, and to
those who have suffered, it is harder to rejoice with those who do
rejoice than to weep with those who weep.

So Bluebell was happier alone with Mrs. Rolleston when the men were
hunting or out of the way. Dutton once ventured to question Cecil about
Fane, whose hopeless passion was evident to every one in the house. She
looked vexed, disconsolate, and gave her usual answer, that there was
nothing in it, and never would be.

Dutton gently tried to combat this assertion. He had heard all about
Bertie, but of course thought it was useless grieving over spilt milk;
that time enough had passed since then; and that she had far better marry
and forget.

Cecil smiled with a sort of sad amusement at all this and his slight
assumption of marital experience. Harry and Bluebell seemed years younger
than herself,--a giddy, happy young couple, the very sunshine of whose
lives dazzled them too much to see into the depths of hers.

One afternoon she had started for a lonely walk. The rest of the party
were pretty well disposed of--Bluebell driving with Mrs. Rolleston, and
the others, she thought were with t