n's wife?"

"She is proud of being such!" burst in the indignant young voice. "Lady
Caroline, you may say what you like to me; you were kind always, and I
was fond of you; but you shall not say a word against Mr. Halifax. You
do not know him--how could you?"

"And you do? Ah! ma petite, we all think that, till we find out to the
contrary. And so he urges you to be married at once--rich or poor--at
all risks, at all costs? How lover-like--how like a man! I guess it
all. Half beseeches--half persuades--"

"He does not!" And the girl's voice was sharp with pain. "I would not
have told you, but I must--for his sake. He asked me this afternoon if
I was afraid of being poor? if I would like to wait, and let him work
hard alone, till he could give me a home like that I was born to? He
did, Caroline."

"And you answered--"

"No--a thousand times, no! He will have a hard battle to fight--would
I let him fight it alone? when I can help him--when he says I can."

"Ah, child! you that know nothing of poverty, how can you bear it?"

"I will try."

"You that never ruled a house in your life--"

"I can learn."

"Ciel! 'tis wonderful! And this young man has no friends, no
connections, no fortune! only himself."

"Only himself," said Ursula, with a proud contempt.

"Will you tell me, my dear, why you marry him?"

"Because"--and Ursula spoke in low tones, that seemed wrung out of her
almost against her will--"because I honour him, because I trust him;
and, young as I am, I have seen enough of the world to be thankful that
there is in it one man whom I can trust, can honour, entirely.
Also--though I am often ashamed lest this be selfish--because when I
was in trouble he helped me; when I was misjudged he believed in me;
when I was sad and desolate he loved me. And I am proud of his love--I
glory in it. No one shall take it from me--no one will--no one can,
unless I cease to deserve it."

Lady Caroline was silent. Despite her will, you might hear a sigh
breaking from some deep corner of that light, frivolous heart.

"Bien! chacun a son gout! But you have never stated one trifle--not
unnecessary, perhaps, though most married folk get on quite well
without it--'Honour,' 'trust,'--pshaw! My child--do you LOVE Mr.
Halifax?"

No answer.

"Nay, why be shy? In England, they say, and among the people--no
offence, ma petite--one does sometimes happen to care for the man one
marries. Tell me, for I must be g