ould not marry a man unless she loved him.
She did not love this man, and therefore she ought not to marry him.
But there were some qualms at her heart as to the possible reality
of the image which she had created for her own idolatry. And she had
been wounded when he told her that she should not allow herself to be
mean amidst her soarings. She had been wounded, and yet she knew that
he had been right. He had intended to teach her the same lesson when
he told her the absurd story of the woman who had been flung out of
the window. She could not love him; but that name of his should never
again be a reason for not doing so. Let the Angel of Light come to
her with his necessary angelic qualities, and no want of euphony in
a sound should be a barrier to him. Nor in truth could any outside
appearance be an attribute of angelic light. The Angel of Light might
be there even with red hair. Something as to the truth of this also
came across her, though the Colonel had not rebuked her on that head.

But how should she carry herself now during the four days which
remained to her at Stalham Park? All the loveliness seemed to depart
from her prospect. She would hardly know how to open her mouth before
her late friend. She suspected that Lady Albury knew with what
purpose the Colonel had taken her out into the shrubbery, and she
would not dare to look Lady Albury in the face. How should she answer
Nina if Nina were to ask her questions about the walk. The hunt
for next Wednesday was no longer a delight to which she could look
forward. How would it be possible that Colonel Stubbs should direct
her now as to her riding, and instruct her as to her conduct in the
hunting-field? It would be better for her that she should return at
once to Kingsbury Crescent.

As she thought of this there did come upon her a reflection that had
she been able to accept Colonel Stubbs's offer there would have been
an end for ever to the miseries of her aunt's house. She would have
been lifted at once into the mode of life in which the man lived.
Instead of being a stranger admitted by special grace into such an
Elysium as that of Stalham Park, she would become one of those to
whom such an Elysium belonged almost of right. By her own gifts she
would have won her way into that upper and brighter life which seemed
to her to be all smiles and all joy. As to his income she thought
nothing and cared nothing. He lived with men who had horses and
carriages, and w