n,--not one but Mrs. Houghton, as to whom she heard
nothing but evil words from the ladies around her. There had been an
attempt made to get one of the sisters to go up with them for the first
month. Lady Sarah had positively refused, almost with indignation. Was
it to be supposed that she would desert her mother at so trying a time?
Lady Amelia was then asked, and with many regrets declined the
invitation. She had not dared to use her own judgment, and Lady Sarah
had not cordially advised her to go. Lady Sarah had thought that Lady
Susanna would be the most useful. But Lady Susanna was not asked. There
were a few words on the subject between Lord George and his wife. Mary,
remembering her father's advice, had determined that she would not be
sat upon, and had whispered to her husband that Susanna was always
severe to her. When, therefore, the time came, they departed from Manor
Cross without any protecting spirit.

There was something sad in this, even to Mary. She knew that she was
taking her husband away from the life he liked, and that she, herself,
was going to a life as to which she could not even guess, whether she
would like it or not. But she had the satisfaction of feeling that she
was at last going to begin to live as a married woman. Hitherto she
had been treated as a child. If there was danger, there was, at any
rate, the excitement which danger produces. "I am almost glad that we
are going alone, George," she said. "It seems to me that we have never
been alone yet."

He wished to be gracious and loving to her, and yet he was not disposed
to admit anything which might seem to imply that he had become tired of
living with his own family. "It is very nice, but----"

"But what, dear?"

"Of course I am anxious about my mother just at present."

"She is not to move for two months yet."

"No,--not to move; but there are so many things to be done."

"You can run down whenever you please?"

"That's expensive; but of course it must be done."

"Say that you'll like being with me alone." They had the compartment of
the railway carriage all to themselves, and she, as she spoke, leaned
against him, inviting him to caress her. "You don't think it a trouble,
do you, having to come and live with me?" Of course he was conquered,
and said, after his nature, what prettiest things he could to her,
assuring her that he would sooner live with her than with any one in
the world, and promising that he would always endeav