ly, and don't let
it get into a habit. I'm talking as if I were seventy-seven at the very
least, and had been married a dozen times over, but you know how easy it
is to preach to other people and how clearly one can see their duty! As
a matter of fact, I know nothing whatever about it, but one can argue
with so much more freedom when one is not hampered with facts! I am
sorry if I have seemed unkind, but--"

"No, no! I know what you mean. I think you are vewy kind to me, Peggy,
considering--considering everything!" murmured Rosalind softly. She sat
silent for a moment, gathering courage to ask another question which was
fluttering to her lips.

"Will--will--do you think Arthur will be _vewy_ miserable?"

Peggy's little form stiffened at that into a poker of wounded dignity.
She felt it in the worst possible taste of Rosalind to have introduced
her brother's name into the conversation, and was in arms at once at the
tone of commiseration.

"My brother and I had a talk on the subject when I was in town," she
replied coldly, "and he entirely agreed with me that it was the best
thing for you. He will be in no wise surprised, but only relieved that
the arrangement is completed. He is very well and in good spirits, and
is coming down next week with Eunice Rollo to pay us a visit, when we
have planned a succession of amusements."

"Oh," remarked Rosalind shortly. "Is he, indeed!" She tried to say she
was rejoiced to hear it, but her lips refused to form the lie, for
Peggy's words had been so many daggers in her heart. Arthur would be
"relieved," he was in "good spirits," he was coming down to enjoy
himself in the country in company with. Eunice Rollo! Could anything
be more wounding to the vanity which made her treasure the idea of
broken-hearted grief? Once more Rosalind called Peggy cruel in her
heart, and Peggy mentally justified her harshness by reminding herself
that the knowledge of Arthur's fortitude would do more towards turning
Rosalind's heart toward her _fiance_ than a volume of moral reflections.
Some slave to worship and adore, she _must_ possess, and if she could
no longer think of Arthur in that position, so much the more chance that
she would appreciate his successor. No more was said on the subject,
and in a few minutes Rosalind rose to say good-bye and take her way to
the vicarage.

"For I must congwatulate Esther!" she said, laughing.

"That is to say, if I can contwive to do it withou