came she knew not whence--and
thereafter was no rest from fantastic suggestions. Her surmise did not
remain baseless; evidence of undeniable strength came to its support,
yet all was so vague--so unserviceable.

She opened the printed sheets that Quarrier had given her and for a few
minutes read with interest. Then her eyes and thoughts wandered.

Her servant knocked and entered, asking if she should remove the
supper-tray. In looking up at the girl, Mrs. Wade noticed red eyes and
other traces of weeping.

"What is the matter?" she asked, sharply. "Have you any news?"

The girl answered with a faltering negative. She, too, had her unhappy
story. A Polterham mechanic who made love to her lost his employment,
went to London with hopes and promises, and now for more than half a
year had given no sign of his existence. Mrs. Wade had been wont to
speak sympathetically on the subject, but to-night it excited her anger.

"Don't be such a simpleton, Annie! If only you knew anything of life,
you would be glad of what has happened. You are free again, and freedom
is the one thing in the world worth having. To sit and cry because--I'm
ashamed of you!"

Surprise and misery caused the tears to break forth again.

"Go to bed, and go to sleep!" said the mistress, harshly. "If ever you
_are_ married, you'll remember what I said, and look back to the time
when you knew nothing worse than silly girlish troubles. Have you no
pride? It's girls like you that make men think so lightly of all
women--despise us--say we are unfit for anything but cooking and
cradle-rocking! If you go on in this way you must leave me; I won't
have a silly, moping creature before my eyes, to make me lose all
patience!"

The girl took up the tray and hurried off. Her mistress sat till late
in the night, now reading a page of the proofs, now brooding with dark
countenance.

CHAPTER XIX

The polling would take place on the last day of March. On the day
previous to that of nomination Glazzard and Serena Mumbray were to be
married. Naturally, not at Mr. Vialls' church; they made choice of St.
Luke's, which was blessed with a mild, intellectual incumbent. Mrs.
Mumbray, consistently obstinate on this one point, refused to be
present at the ceremony.

"There will be no need of me," she said to Serena. "Since you choose to
be married as if you were ashamed of it, your father's presence will be
quite enough. I have always looked forward to very differ