ntinued to sing the praises of her
husband till Mrs. Holt hardly knew how to bear her enthusiasm in a
fitting mood. For she, who was not in love, still thought that this
man's conduct had been scandalous, wicked, and cruel; and, if to be
forgiven, only to be forgiven because of the general wickedness and
cruelty of man.

It had not been without great difficulty that Lady Grant induced her
brother to assent to her writing the letter which has been given
above. When he had agreed to return with her to England he had no
doubt assented to her assertion that he was bound to take his wife
back again, even without any confession. And this had been so much to
gain, had been so felt to be the one only material point necessary,
that he was not pressed as to his manner of doing it. But before they
reached London it was essential that some arrangement should be made
for bringing them together. "Could not I go down to Durton," he had
said, "and could not she come to me there?" No doubt he might have
gone to Durton, and no doubt she would have gone to him if asked. She
would have flown to him at Dresden, or to Jerusalem, at a word spoken
by him. Absence had made him so precious to her, that she would have
obeyed the slightest behest with joy as long as the order given were
to bring them once more together. But of this Lady Grant was not
aware, and, had she been so, the sense of what was becoming would
have restrained her.

"I think, George, that you had better go to Exeter," she said.

"Should we not be more comfortable at Durton?"

"I think that when at Durton you will be more happy if you shall
yourself have fetched her from her mother's home. I think you owe it
to your wife to go to her, and make the journey with her. What is
your objection?"

"I do not wish to be seen in Exeter," he replied.

"Nor did she, you may be sure, when she returned there alone. But
what does it matter? If you can be happy in once more possessing
her, it cannot signify who shall see you. There can be nothing to be
ashamed of in going for your wife; nor can any evil happen to you. As
this thing is to be done, let it be done in a noble spirit."

CHAPTER XXIII.

SIR FRANCIS' ESCAPE.

When she had told the Dean's family, and Mrs. Green, and Cecilia,
Miss Altifiorla began to feel that there was no longer a secret worth
the keeping. And indeed it became necessary to her happiness to
divulge this great step in life which she was about to take