speak to her and her mother; and then in a moment Edna guessed the
truth.

Bessie remained a long time alone. She had finished her letter to her
mother, and had just taken up her work, before Edna came in search of
her.

Edna looked excited, and there were tears in her eyes as she kissed
Bessie.

"You naughty little thing!" she said, trying to laugh. "Who ever would
have thought of you and Ritchie falling in love with each other? I
don't think I have ever been more surprised in my life."

"I was surprised, too," replied Bessie naively. "Dear Edna, are you very
much shocked?"

"Not at all. On the whole, I am very much pleased at the idea of having
you as a sister. I fell in love with you myself, Bessie. I told Ritchie
that, so I ought not to be so surprised that he has followed my example.
I am not quite sure that he is good enough for you. I suppose you think
he is," doubtfully.

"Yes, indeed. It is I who am not good enough for him," replied Bessie,
blushing, and looking so pretty that Edna hugged her again.

"You are very kind to me, Edna, but I am afraid your mother will not be
pleased about this;" and then Edna's face grew somewhat grave.

"No, Bessie, she is not; and she is very hard upon poor Richard, as
usual, and I had to take his part. Mamma is very proud, and that is why
she approved so much of Neville, because he belongs to county people and
is his uncle's heir. Neville will be terribly rich one day."

"And I am poor!" in a troubled voice.

"Yes, but Richard has plenty of money, and, as I tell mamma, I cannot
see what that matters. You are a lady, Bessie; your mother is a perfect
gentlewoman; and as for Dr. Lambert, mamma knows what he is--she cannot
say a word against him. She says she is very fond of you personally, but
all the same she does not want Richard to marry you. You see,"
hesitating a little, "mamma will have to leave The Grange when Ritchie
marries, and she does not like the idea of that; but, as Richard justly
said, his father hoped he would marry early, and he had a right, like
any other man, to take a wife when he wishes. Of course, mamma has not a
grain of right on her side, but she chooses to be angry with Richard
because he has been down to Cliffe and settled everything without
reference to her; she says it is the way he always treats her."

"I think I will go to your mother, Edna. Is--is your brother with her?"

"Yes, I believe so; but they are not talking now. Ritchie sent m