l-marks that Klesmer has been here. Have you been satisfied with
the interview?" She had some guesses as to its object, but felt timid
about implying them.

"Satisfied, mamma? oh, yes," said Gwendolen, in a high, hard tone, for
which she must be excused, because she dreaded a scene of emotion. If
she did not set herself resolutely to feign proud indifference, she
felt that she must fall into a passionate outburst of despair, which
would cut her mamma more deeply than all the rest of their calamities.

"Your uncle and aunt were disappointed at not seeing you," said Mrs.
Davilow, coming near the piano, and watching Gwendolen's movements. "I
only said that you wanted rest."

"Quite right, mamma," said Gwendolen, in the same tone, turning to put
away some music.

"Am I not to know anything now, Gwendolen? Am I always to be in the
dark?" said Mrs. Davilow, too keenly sensitive to her daughter's manner
and expression not to fear that something painful had occurred.

"There is really nothing to tell now, mamma," said Gwendolen, in a
still higher voice. "I had a mistaken idea about something I could do.
Herr Klesmer has undeceived me. That is all."

"Don't look and speak in that way, my dear child: I cannot bear it,"
said Mrs. Davilow, breaking down. She felt an undefinable terror.

Gwendolen looked at her a moment in silence, biting her inner lip; then
she went up to her, and putting her hands on her mamma's shoulders,
said, with a drop in her voice to the lowest undertone, "Mamma, don't
speak to me now. It is useless to cry and waste our strength over what
can't be altered. You will live at Sawyer's Cottage, and I am going to
the bishop's daughters. There is no more to be said. Things cannot be
altered, and who cares? It makes no difference to any one else what we
do. We must try not to care ourselves. We must not give way. I dread
giving way. Help me to be quiet."

Mrs. Davilow was like a frightened child under her daughter's face and
voice; her tears were arrested and she went away in silence.

CHAPTER XXIV.

"I question things but do not find
One that will answer to my mind:
And all the world appears unkind."
--WORDSWORTH.

Gwendolen was glad that she had got through her interview with Klesmer
before meeting her uncle and aunt. She had made up her mind now that
there were only disagreeables before her, and she felt able to maintain
a dogged calm in the face of any hum