k, Michael!' returned Audrey, blushing with some annoyance
at this obvious misunderstanding of her meaning; 'it is Cyril who is in
a hurry: for myself, I should be perfectly content to go on as we are
for the next five years. Do you not remember my tirade on the pleasures
of freedom?'

'I think I do recall something of the kind.' Alas! had he ever forgotten
anything she had said to him?

'Well, I am afraid I am of the same opinion still; only I dare not let
Cyril know that: he would be so hurt. I suppose,' reflectively, 'men are
different from women; they do always seem in such a dreadful hurry about
everything. When Cyril complains that he feels unsettled, and that I get
between him and his work, I do not pretend to understand him. I am very
matter-of-fact, am I not, Michael?'

'I should not have said so.'

'Oh, but I am; and I am afraid Cyril thinks so. Well, as I have told you
my good news I will not detain you any longer.' And then Michael rose
with a feeling of relief.

But as he followed her a few minutes later upstairs, he wondered what
she must have thought of him. With all his efforts, he had been unable
to bring himself to utter one word of congratulation. 'It would have
been a lie,' he said to himself vehemently; 'how could I find it in my
heart to deceive her for a moment? This may be their last happy day,
Heaven help them both!' and Michael went to bed in profound
wretchedness.

'My roses are withered,' thought Audrey, as she regarded the drooping
buds and leaves; 'my poor beautiful roses, and they were Cyril's gift,
too. What a pity that flowers must die, and we must grow old--that in
this world there must always be decay and change! Shall I ever be
happier than I am to-night, with Cyril to love me, and Michael--dear
Michael--to be my friend? What makes him so grave? He is always grave
now.' And then she sighed and laid down her flowers, and took the
glittering cross from her neck. 'My poor Michael! I should like to see
him happy, too,' she finished, as she put it away in its case.

CHAPTER XXXV

'OLIVE WILL ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING'

'Evil, like a rolling stone upon a mountain-top,
A child may first impel, a giant cannot stop.'--TRENCH.

'By despising himself too much, a man comes to be worthy of his own
contempt.'--AMIEL.

Audrey was sure it was the east wind that made everyone so unlike
themselves the next morning. Bailey had told her that the wind was
decidedly ea