m, so bright that the sky was blue, and the sun was
shining, but the snow lay deeply upon ground. Mrs. Hare sat in her
chair, enjoying the brightness, and Mr. Carlyle stood near her. The
tears were of joy and of grief mingled--of grief at hearing that she
should at last have to part with Barbara, of joy that she was going to
one so entirely worthy of her as Mr. Carlyle.

"Archibald, she has had a happy home here; you will render yours as much
so?"

"To the very utmost of my power."

"You will be ever kind to her, and cherish her?"

"With my whole strength and heart. Dear Mrs. Hare; I thought you knew me
too well to doubt me."

"Doubt you! I do not doubt you, I trust you implicitly, Archibald. Had
the whole world laid themselves at Barbara's feet, I should have prayed
that she might choose you."

A small smile flitted over Mr. Carlyle's lips. _He_ knew it was what
Barbara would have done.

"But, Archibald, what about Cornelia?" returned Mrs. Hare. "I would not
for a moment interfere in your affairs, or in the arrangements you and
Barbara may agree upon, but I cannot help thinking that married people
are better alone."

"Cornelia will quit East Lynne," said Mr. Carlyle. "I have not spoken to
her yet, but I shall do so now. I have long made my mind up that if
ever I did marry again, I and my wife would live alone. It is said she
interfered too much with my former wife. Had I suspected it, Cornelia
should not have remained in the house a day. Rest assured that Barbara
shall not be an object to the chance."

"How did _you_ come over her?" demanded the justice, who had already
given his gratified consent, and who now entered in his dressing gown
and morning wig. "Others have tried it on, and Barbara would not listen
to them."

"I suppose I must have cast a spell upon her," answered Mr. Carlyle,
breaking into a smile.

"Here she is. Barbara," carried on the unceremonious justice, "what is
it that you see in Carlyle more than anybody else?"

Barbara's scarlet cheeks answered for her. "Papa," she said, "Otway
Bethel is at the door asking to speak to you. Jasper says he won't come
in."

"Then I'm sure I'm not going out to him in the cold. Here, Mr. Otway,
what are you afraid of?" he called out. "Come in."

Otway Bethel made his appearance in his usual sporting costume. But he
did not seem altogether at his ease in the presence of Mrs. Hare and
Barbara.

"The colonel wished to see you, justice, and ask you if