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332 having been said as to Mary's own lot. It would, perhaps, have been better that they should do so; but this was hardly within the compass of human nature.

'And Mary, you know, I shall be able to see you as often as I like;—you and Dr. Thorne, too, when I have a house of my own.'

Mary said nothing, but essayed to smile. It was but a ghastly attempt.

'You know how happy that will make me,' continued Beatrice. 'Of course mamma won't expect me to be led by her then: if he likes it, there can be no objection; and he will like it, you may be sure of that.'

'You are very kind, Trichy,' said Mary; but she spoke in a tone very different from that she would have used eighteen months ago.

'Why, what is the matter, Mary? Shan't you be glad to come to see us?'

'I do not know, dearest; that must depend on circumstances. To see you, you yourself, your own dear, sweet, loving face must always be pleasant to me.'

'And shan't you be glad to see him?'

'Yes, certainly if he loves you.'

'Of course he loves me.'

'All that alone would be pleasant enough, Trichy. But what if there should be circumstances which should still make us enemies; should make your friends and my friends—friend, I should say, for I have only one—should make them opposed to each other?'

'Circumstances! What circumstances?'

'You are going to be married, Trichy, to the man you love; are you not?'

'Indeed, I am!'

'And is it not pleasant? is it not a happy feeling?'

'Pleasant! happy! yes, very pleasant; very happy. But, Mary, I am not at all in such a hurry as he is,' said Beatrice, naturally thinking of her own little affairs.

'And, suppose I should wish to be married to the man that I love?' Mary said this slowly and gravely, and as she spoke she looked her friend full in the face.

Beatrice was somewhat astonished, and for the moment hardly understood. 'I am sure I hope you will, some day.'

'No, Trichy; no, you hope just the other way. I love your brother; I love Frank Gresham; I love him quite as well, quite as warmly, as you love Caleb Oriel.'

'Do you?' said Beatrice, staring with all her eyes, and giving