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Rh silent and moody; and the Bride knew why.

'Dear old Alfred,' she said at last, pressing his arm with her hand; 'I know I shall get on well with all your people, in time.'

'All of them, Gladdie?'

'At any rate, all but Granville.'

'Still not Gran! I was afraid of it.'

'No; I shall never care much about Gran. I can't help it, really I can't. He is everlastingly sneering, and he thinks himself so much smarter than he is. Then he enjoys it when I make a fool of myself; I see he does; and—oh, I can't bear him!'

A pugnacious expression came into Alfred's face, but passed over, and left it only stern.

'Yes,' he said, 'I know his infernal manner; but, when he sneers, it's only to show what a superior sort of fellow he is; he doesn't mean anything by it. The truth is, I fear he's becoming a bit of a snob; but at least he's a far better fellow than you think; there really isn't a better fellow going. Take my word for it, and for Heaven's sake avoid words with him; will you promise me this much, Gladdie?'

'Very well—though I have once or twice thought there'd be a row between us, and though I do think what he'd hear from me