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nanimous to admit it, since you did not keep your promise,' said Leonard, with a bright and triumphant smile.

'I never knew that you had gone to Phillipsterrace,' observed Miriam. 'It was Uncle Ralph who went to settle with Mrs. Tomkins, and bring away my things.'

'Yes, but I went on my own account, to commit the only extravagance of which I have been guilty since our engagement. I went to buy back the Madonna-not for £10, however-which was displayed upon the walls in a wooden unglazed frame. I have had it properly framed, and it hangs over my writing-table.'

'I too have a memorial of those wretched weeks,' said Miriam, half-shyly opening a little packet, in which an advertisement, cut out of the Times,' was folded beside a lock of dark hair.

6

Silly child!' said Leonard, with such entire satisfaction as to afford another proof that wisdom was in no request.

Uncle Ralph meanwhile had gone to the Mains, forgetting that Mr. and Mrs. Mordaunt were engaged to dine and sleep at a neighbour's. Susan had dined early, and was sitting alone over the drawing-room fire, and he readily agreed to stay and have a talk with her until they should be joined by the schoolroom party, whom she had. invited to drink tea with her on the occasion.

'I should be very much in the way at home,' said Uncle Ralph; 'Leonard was to be there at five.'

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Yes,' said Susan, 'I was thinking of the meet

ing, and wondering whether it would occur to you to leave them to themselves. Was Miriam looking bright ?'

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Yes; I hope Leonard's visit will do her good. I am quite troubled by her fragile, delicate look.'

'The loss of father, mother, and brother in one year, must tell on her health and spirits, even when their place is supplied by such a lover as Leonard.'

'I wish they could be married at once,' continued Uncle Ralph; 'a long engagement must be very fatiguing.'

'It would put you out a good deal, certainly, but it is often a happy time, and it may be so in this instance, since Leonard and Miriam understand each other perfectly.' And Susan checked an involuntary sigh, for her associations with an engagement were painful enough.

'Yes; but still they would be better married, not now perhaps, but in August. And I see one way in which it might be arranged, providing you consent.'

'You may take my consent for granted, Uncle Ralph. Papa would laugh more than ever at our relations, if he heard you.'

No; you have really a right to be consulted in this matter. You see that next August twelvemonth is the very soonest that they could marry on Leonard's earnings, but I could settle something on Miriam at once, only by giving up my building fund.'

"Which would be no sacrifice,' said Susan eagerly. 'I am sure you will be as glad as any one to cele

brate the wedding by a bonfire of the plans. They were only an annoyance, since you always felt that you would never be comfortable in a new house, and that the old château was much better suited to yourself and the place.'

"The old house did perfectly for me, but I always fancied that you—that in short it would be better to build another in my lifetime.'

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'Uncle Ralph,' said Susan, once or twice before you have said something which I could not quite understand, and yet felt that I have a right to know, since it concerned myself.'

'It does concern you a little, my dear. But I prefer keeping my intentions to myself, in case you should object to them.'

'I have a right to know,' repeated Susan, in a tone which constrained compliance.

'Then I suppose I must tell you. I have not forgotten Miriam: of course, as my own niece, she has a right to some provision, but I always looked forward to your inhabiting the old place, which you have liked so well for my sake, and you are nearer to me than Miriam can ever be.'

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It is just as I suspected,' said Susan, in a voice faltering between grief and indignation. And so, Uncle Ralph, since you will force me to look forward to one of the greatest misfortunes that can happen to me, I must say that if anything could increase my unhappiness at such a time, it would be the sense of your injustice to Miriam. Or, if you like, I will call it an injustice to myself; for since I have loved you for your own sake, is it not hard that you should do what would instantly in

cline the world to impute a base and underhand motive to my share in our friendship ?'

All the world knows that you are perfectly disinterested,' said Uncle Ralph.

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They could not know it if I am the cause of your defrauding Miriam of her just rights. You must give up this idea, Uncle Ralph, or I shall never be able to hold up my head again.'

'I will do just as you please, my dear,' said Uncle Ralph, as he had said many a time before, when forced to yield to Susan's stronger will, and the pleasure of submission always repaid him for the sacrifice. Susan entered into all his plans for accelerating the marriage, with such eager satisfaction, that he went into detail, and everything had been happily arranged before Ailie and the younger sisters appeared. They passed a very agreeable evening, and Uncle Ralph was particularly amused by the defiant message with which Lilias entrusted him at parting.

'You can tell Leonard,' she said, 'that I have heard from Roger, who bids me wish him and Miriam joy, though it is clearly a great blow to him. I am sure that Leonard would not have written so generously in his place.'

Leonard also laughed at this proof of magnanimity. It is easy to be generous with what is not one's own,' he said. 'Miriam was mine before Roger ever saw her.'

'At the end of a week's acquaintance,' said Uncle Ralph, a little drily. But Miriam was not there to blush, and Leonard was only proud of his brief wooing.

294

CHAPTER XXX.

My bride,

My wife, my life. O we will walk this world,
Yoked in all exercise of noble end,

And so thro' those dark gates across the wild
That no man knows.

THE PRINCESS.

'IT is the most remarkable child,' said Uncle

Ralph.

The assertion was made to Roger, who was just on shore again, after a three years' absence, as they walked through Chesterfield-street together.

'As it has been ever since it was three days old, I hear,' said Roger.

'Yes, but now he is at a really interesting age: he can run about and say anything he pleases. It is most amusing to hear him assert the undivided possession of his own name. Mr. Mordaunt happened to call when I was in Bolton-street the other day, and spoke to me as 'Ralph,' and the child looked up quite pertly and said 'Wong Waif.''

'You must interpret,' said Roger, laughing, and Uncle Ralph was mortified by such obtuseness. 'Meaning,' Wrong Ralph,' of course. He considers himself Ralph proper.'

'And which of his parents does he take after ?' 'He has dark eyes like Leonard, but he has his

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