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108 which they were called upon to speak, before that other subject was introduced. Mary was very tender in her inquiries,—but tender in a bashful retiring way. To look at her one would have said that she was afraid to touch the wounded man lest he should be again broken.

'Oh, I'm all right,' said he, trying to assume a look of good-humour. 'I sha'n't go hunting again in a hurry; you may be sure of that.'

'We have all great reason to be thankful that Providence interposed to save you,' said Mrs. Thomas, in her most serious tone. Had Providence interposed to break Mrs. Thomas's collar-bone, or at least to do her some serious outward injury, what a comfort it would be, thought Mary Snow.

'Have you seen your father lately?' asked Graham.

'Not since I wrote to you about the money that he—borrowed,' said Mary.

'I told her that she should not have given it to him,' said Mrs. Thomas.

'She was quite right,' said Graham. 'Who could refuse assistance to a father in distress?' Whereupon Mary put her handkerchief up to her eyes and began to cry.

'That's true of course,' said Mrs. Thomas; 'but it would never do that he should be a drain in that way. He should feel that if he had any feeling.'

'So he has,' said Mary. 'And you are driven close enough yourself sometimes, Mrs. Thomas. There's days when you'd like to borrow nineteen and sixpence if anybody would lend it you.'

'Very well,' said Mrs. Thomas, crossing her hands over each other in her lap and assuming a look of resignation; 'I suppose all this will be changed now. I have endeavoured to do my duty, and very hard it has been.'

Felix felt that the sooner he rushed into the middle of the subject which brought him there, the better it would be for all parties. That the two ladies were not very happy together was evident, and then he made a little comparison between Madeline and Mary. Was it really the case that for the last three years he had contemplated making that poor child his wife? Would it not be better for him to tie a millstone round his neck and cast himself into the sea? That was now his thought respecting Mary Snow.

'Mrs. Thomas,' he said, 'I should like to speak to Mary alone for a few minutes if you could allow it.'

'Oh certainly; by all means. It will be quite proper.' And gathering up a bundle of the unfortunate stockings she took herself out of the room.

Mary, as soon as Graham had spoken, became almost pale, and sat perfectly still with her eyes fixed on her betrothed husband.