-I know Mrs. Graham too well!'

'Quite right, Miss Millward!--and so do I--whatever it may be.'

'Well,' observed Eliza, with a gentle sigh, 'it's well to have such a
comfortable assurance regarding the worth of those we love. I only wish
you may not find your confidence misplaced.'

And she raised her face, and gave me such a look of sorrowful tenderness
as might have melted my heart, but within those eyes there lurked a
something that I did not like; and I wondered how I ever could have
admired them--her sister's honest face and small grey optics appeared far
more agreeable. But I was out of temper with Eliza at that moment for
her insinuations against Mrs. Graham, which were false, I was certain,
whether she knew it or not.

I said nothing more on the subject, however, at the time, and but little
on any other; for, finding I could not well recover my equanimity, I
presently rose and took leave, excusing myself under the plea of business
at the farm; and to the farm I went, not troubling my mind one whit about
the possible truth of these mysterious reports, but only wondering what
they were, by whom originated, and on what foundations raised, and how
they could the most effectually be silenced or disproved.

A few days after this we had another of our quiet little parties, to
which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited, and
Mrs. Graham among the number. She could not now absent herself under the
plea of dark evenings or inclement weather, and, greatly to my relief,
she came. Without her I should have found the whole affair an
intolerable bore; but the moment of her arrival brought new life to the
house, and though I might not neglect the other guests for her, or expect
to engross much of her attention and conversation to myself alone, I
anticipated an evening of no common enjoyment.

Mr. Lawrence came too. He did not arrive till some time after the rest
were assembled. I was curious to see how he would comport himself to
Mrs. Graham. A slight bow was all that passed between them on his
entrance; and having politely greeted the other members of the company,
he seated himself quite aloof from the young widow, between my mother and
Rose.

'Did you ever see such art?' whispered Eliza, who was my nearest
neighbour. 'Would you not say they were perfect strangers?'

'Almost; but what then?'

'What then; why, you can't pretend to be ignorant?'

'Ignorant of what?' demanded I, so sharp