ed it could not be binding, and dear Lilias would do
well to reconsider her position, now that this charming stranger had
appeared upon the scene!

Dear Lilias smiled back with sweet unconsciousness as she met her
friends' glances, but she was at no difficulty to read their meaning,
and heaved a sigh for the contrariety of fate. If only, only, it had
been Gervase instead of Ned--or rather, if the positions of the two men
could be reversed! It would be delightful to float along the stream of
life as they were even now floating down this sheltered river, a
charming companion by her side, the eyes of friends turned admiringly
upon her. How different from the life before her in the bleak North-
country town, with poverty and anxiety for daily guests, and Ned's worn
face looking sadly at her from across the table!

Lilias shivered for all the blazing sunshine, and her heart swelled with
anger. It was not fair, it was not right that her future should be
blighted in this fashion. Ned should realise that she was not bound by
a promise given in completely different circumstances! It was some days
since she had heard from him, for his letters had been less frequent of
late; and though at the bottom of her heart she knew that her own chilly
replies were to blame for this diminution of her lover's ardour, she
chose to count his silence as still another offence. He was neglecting
her, and she would not stand it. Like a flash of inspiration it darted
into her head that she would free herself from this entanglement while
there was still time. It would seem unwomanly to desert a man in the
hour of misfortune, but she would act at once, and not wait until the
worst happened. She would tell her mother that she was not happy; and
though Mrs Rendell might disapprove her past promise, she would never
persuade her to keep it in the circumstances. Yes, yes! she would be
free, she must be free, and then--who could say what would happen then?
The long summer lay before her, with its intimate friendship with one of
the richest and most charming of his sex. Lilias raised her head with a
gesture of determination, and met Gervase Vanburgh's eyes fixed steadily
upon her. His glance did not waver as it met hers, and she blushed
beneath it with a new and strange feeling of discomfiture. It was as
though that steady gaze had pierced beneath the surface, and read her
poor, unworthy thoughts.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

THE GARDEN SALE.