he did
not really care for her--only for her money?

She remembered Denzil Quarrier's lecture on "Woman," and all he had
said about the monstrously unfair position of girls who are asked in
marriage by men of the world. And thereupon an idea came into her mind.
Presently she had dried her tears, and in half-an-hour's time she left
the house.

Her purpose was to call upon Mrs. Quarrier, whom she had met not long
ago at Highmead. But the lady was not at home. After a moment of
indecision, she wrote on the back of her visiting card: "Will you be so
kind as to let me know when I could see you? I will come at any hour."

It was then midday. In the afternoon she received a note,
hand-delivered. Mrs. Quarrier would be at home from ten to twelve the
next morning.

Again she called, and Lilian received her in the small drawing-room.
They looked at each other with earnest faces, Lilian wondering whether
this visit had anything to do with the election. Serena was nervous,
and could not reply composedly to the ordinary phrases of politeness
with which she was received. And yet the phrases were not quite
ordinary; whomsoever she addressed, Lilian spoke with a softness, a
kindness peculiar to herself, and chose words which seemed to have more
than the common meaning.

The visitor grew sensible of this pleasant characteristic, and at
length found voice for her intention.

"I wished to see you for a very strange reason, Mrs. Quarrier. I feel
half afraid that I may even offend you. You will think me very strange
indeed."

Lilian trembled. The old dread awoke in her. Had Miss Mumbray
discovered something?

"Do let me know what it is," she replied, in a low voice.

"It--it is about Mr. Eustace Glazzard. I think he is an intimate friend
of Mr. Quarrier's?"

"Yes, he is."

"You are surprised, of course. I came to you because I feel so alone
and so helpless. You know that I am engaged to Mr. Glazzard?"

Her voice faltered. Relieved from anxiety, Lilian looked and spoke in
her kindest way.

"Do speak freely to me, Miss Mumbray. I shall be so glad to--to help
you in any way I can--so very glad."

"I am sure you mean that. My mother is very much against our
marriage--against Mr. Glazzard. She wants me to break off. I can't do
that without some better reason than I know of. Will you tell me what
you think of Mr. Glazzard? Will you tell me in confidence? You know him
probably much better than I do--though that sounds strange.