it. And in all their
excursions she had a quiet conviction that whoever forgot her or her
comfort, he never would. But then it was his way. Some men have eyes
and ears for only one woman, and that merely while they happen to be in
love with her; whereas Robert Roy was courteous and considerate to every
woman, even as he was kind to every weak or helpless creature that
crossed his path.

Evidently he perceived that all was not right; and, though he said
nothing, there was a tenderness in his manner which went to her heart.

"You are not looking well to-day; should you not go out?" he said. "I
met all your young people walking off to the sands: they seemed
extraordinarily happy."

Fortune was much perplexed. She did not like not to tell him the
news--him, who had so completely established himself as a friend of the
family. And yet to tell him was not exactly her place; besides, he might
not care to hear. Old maid as she was, or thought herself, Miss Williams
knew enough of men not to fall into the feminine error of fancying they
feel as we do--that their world is our world, and their interest our
interest. To most men, a leader in the _Times_, an article in the
_Quarterly_, or a fall in the money market is of far more importance than
any love affair in the world, unless it happens to be their own.

Why should I tell him? she thought, convinced that he noticed the anxiety
in her eyes, the weariness at her heart. She had passed an almost
sleepless night, pondering over the affairs of these young people, who
never thought of any thing beyond their own new-born happiness. And
she had perplexed herself with wondering whether in consenting to this
engagement she was really doing her duty by her girls, who had no one but
her, and whom she was so tender of, for their dead father's sake. But
what good was it to say any thing? She must bear her own burden. And
yet--

Robert Roy looked at her with his kind, half-amused smile.

"You had better tell me all about it; for, indeed, I know already."

"What! did you guess it?"

"Perhaps. But Dalziel came to my room last night and poured out
everything. He is a candid youth. Well, and am I to congratulate?"

Greatly relieved, Fortune looked up.

"That's right," he said; "I like to see you smile. A minute or two ago
you seemed as if you had the cares of all the world on your shoulders.
No, that is not exactly the truth. Always meet the truth face to face,
and don'