"Thank you, Mr. Fletcher."

It was strange, the grave tone our intercourse now invariably assumed.
We might have been three old people, who had long fought with and
endured the crosses of the world, instead of two young men and a young
woman, in the very dawn of life.

"Circumstances have fixed my plans since I saw you yesterday. I am
going to reside for a time with my cousins, the Brithwoods. It seems
best for me. Lady Caroline is very kind, and I am so lonely."

She said this not in any complaint, but as if accepting the fact, and
making up her mind to endure it. A little more fragmentary
conversation passed, chiefly between herself and me--John uttered
scarcely a word. He sat by the window, half shading his face with his
hand. Under that covert, the gaze which incessantly followed and dwelt
on her face--oh, had she seen it!

The moments narrowed. Would he say what he had intended, concerning
his position in the world? Had she guessed or learned anything, or
were we to her simply Mr. Halifax and Mr. Fletcher--two "gentlemen" of
Norton Bury? It appeared so.

"This is not a very long good-bye, I trust?" said she to me, with
something more than courtesy. "I shall remain at the Mythe House some
weeks, I believe. How long do you purpose staying at Enderley?"

I was uncertain.

"But your home is in Norton Bury? I hope--I trust, you will allow my
cousin to express in his own house his thanks and mine for your great
kindness during my trouble?"

Neither of us answered. Miss March looked surprised--hurt--nay,
displeased; then her eye, resting on John, lost its haughtiness, and
became humble and sweet.

"Mr. Halifax, I know nothing of my cousin, and I do know you. Will you
tell me--candidly, as I know you will--whether there is anything in Mr.
Brithwood which you think unworthy of your acquaintance?"

"He would think me unworthy of his," was the low, firm answer.

Miss March smiled incredulously. "Because you are not very rich? What
can that signify? It is enough for me that my friends are gentlemen."

"Mr. Brithwood, and many others, would not allow my claim to that
title."

Astonished--nay, somewhat more than astonished--the young gentlewoman
drew back a little. "I do not quite understand you."

"Let me explain, then;" and her involuntary gesture seeming to have
brought back all honest dignity and manly pride, he faced her, once
more himself. "It is right, Miss March, that you should know wh