rch these twenty years. Do advise me."

"Stay and see it through," said Lady Constance. "I know love when I
see it. It is so rare nowadays that it fairly wears a halo. By and by
it will be extinct on earth and then we shall be kneeling to St. Eros
and St. Venus and forget all the naughty stories about them, just as
we have forgotten the local gossip about the present saints. You
cannot prevent this match. You cannot even postpone it. I regret it as
much as you do, but I cannot help sympathising with them! So young and
so full of high and beautiful ideals! They will be happy for a time.
Who knows? He really may be a new man. Maria can convince herself of
anything she chooses; I feel disposed to take a leaf out of her book."

Mrs. Nunn set her lips, thrust her bust up and her chin out. She
looked obstinate and felt implacable. "I go to-morrow. Upon that I
am resolved. I should be criminal to encourage her----"

There was a tap at the door. A servant entered with a note.

"From Anne!" announced Mrs. Nunn. She dismissed the servant and read
it aloud:

DEAR AUNT EMILY:

Miss Ogilvy has sent the coach for me, feeling sure that I
have incurred your displeasure, and asking me to go at once
to the Grange. I have no wish to leave you if you remain at
Bath House, but if you are resolved upon going to-morrow, I
shall accept her invitation. Will you not let me come in
and say good bye, dear aunt? Be sure that I am deeply
grateful for all you have done for me and only wish that I
might spare you so much pain.

ANNE.

Mrs. Nunn called in her maid and sent a verbal refusal to see her
niece.

"I would have saved her if I could." She was now quite composed, in
the full sense of duty done. "But it is imperative that I go to-morrow
and announce aloud my disapproval of this unfortunate marriage. I
shall renounce my guardianship of her property the day I return to
London. I cannot save her, so I wash my hands."

"I shall stay for the wedding," said Lady Constance, "and all London
can know it."

"It is my duty also to remain," said Lady Hunsdon, "and my son must be
best man. But Emily is quite right to go."

CHAPTER XIX

Anne, during the ensuing month, had her first experience since
childhood of home life. Mrs. Ogilvy lay on a sofa in one of her great
cool rooms all day, but she made no complaint and diffused an
atmosphere of peace an