m
with admiring love, and he had given her a crumb or so occasionally,
thinking her something of a fool, and more of a pest; but now he could
not say a word to her without being baffled in an elderly-sisterly tone
exasperating him so far that he positively wished to marry her, and
coming to the point, offered himself with downright sincerity, and
was rejected. Harry left in a passion. Juliana confided the secret to
Caroline, who suggested interested motives, which Juliana would not hear
of.

'Ah,' said the Countess, when Caroline mentioned the case to her, 'of
course the poor thing cherishes her first offer. She would believe a
curate to be disinterested! But mind that Evan has due warning when she
is to meet him. Mind that he is dressed becomingly.'

Caroline asked why.

'Because, my dear, she is enamoured of his person. These little
unhealthy creatures are always attracted by the person. She thinks it to
be Evan's qualities. I know better: it is his person. Beckley Court may
be lost by a shabby coat!'

The Countess had recovered from certain spiritual languors into which
she had fallen after her retreat. Ultimate victory hung still in the
balance. Oh! if Evan would only marry this little sufferer, who was so
sure to die within a year! or, if she lived (for marriage has often
been as a resurrection to some poor female invalids), there was Beckley
Court, a splendid basis for future achievements. Reflecting in this
fashion, the Countess pardoned her brother. Glowing hopes hung fresh
lamps in her charitable breast. She stepped across the threshold of
Tailordom, won Mr. Goren's heart by her condescension, and worked Evan
into a sorrowful mood concerning the invalid. Was not Juliana his only
active friend? In return, he said things which only required a little
colouring to be very acceptable to her.

The game waxed exciting again. The enemy (the Jocelyn party) was alert,
but powerless. The three sisters were almost wrought to perform a
sacrifice far exceeding Evan's. They nearly decided to summon him to the
house: but the matter being broached at table one evening, Major Strike
objected to it so angrily that they abandoned it, with the satisfactory
conclusion that if they did wrong it was the Major's fault.

Meantime Juliana had much on her conscience. She knew Evan to be
innocent, and she allowed Rose to think him guilty. Could she bring her
heart to join them? That was not in her power: but desiring to be lulled
b