Houston family
had always been accustomed, she could have found it in her heart to
forgive him. "Do not be rash, Frank," she said. He merely shook his
head, and as he again left her declared that he was not going to be
driven this way or that by such a fellow as Mudbury Docimer.

"As I live, there's Frank coming through the gate." This was said by
Imogene to her sister-in-law, as they were walking up and down the
road which led from the lodge to the Tregothnan house. The two ladies
were at that moment discussing Imogene's affairs. No rejoinder had
as yet been made to Frank's last letter, which, to Imogene's feeling,
was the most charming epistle which had ever come from the hands of
a true lover. There had been passion and sincerity in every word of
it;--even when he had been a little too strong in his language as he
denounced the hard-hearted counsels of her brother. But yet she had
not responded to all this sincerity, nor had she as yet withdrawn
the resolution which she had herself declared. Mrs. Docimer was of
opinion that that resolution should not be withdrawn, and had striven
to explain that the circumstances were now the same as when, after
full consideration, they had determined that the engagement should
come to an end. At this very moment she was speaking words of wisdom
to this effect, and as she did so Frank appeared, walking up from the
gate.

"What will Mudbury say?" was Mrs. Docimer's first ejaculation.
But Imogene, before she had considered how this danger might be
encountered, rushed forward and gave herself up,--I fear we must
confess,--into the arms of her lover. After that it was felt at once
that she had withdrawn all her last resolution and had vacillated
again. There was no ground left even for an argument now that she had
submitted herself to be embraced. Frank's words of affection need not
here be repeated, but they were of a nature to leave no doubt on the
minds of either of the ladies.

Mudbury had declared that he would not receive Houston in his
house as his sister's lover, and had expressed his opinion that
even Houston would not have the face to show his face there. But
Houston had come, and something must be done with him. It was soon
ascertained that he had walked over from Penzance, which was but
two miles off, and had left his portmanteau behind him. "I wouldn't
bring anything," said he. "Mudbury would find it easier to maltreat
my things than myself. It would look so foolish to