f the
guests assembled at that gossiping meal, I could not help fancying
that every listless dandy and affected fine lady present was
acquainted with my proceedings during the last twelve hours, and was
laughing in his or her sleeve accordingly. I cast a rapid and
frightened glance round the table, and, to my infinite relief, beheld
Cousin John eating his egg as composedly as possible; whilst a
reassuring smile and a pleasant "Good-morning" from Mr. Lumley gave me
to understand that his mediation had averted all fatal proceedings.

The other guests ate and drank, and laughed and chattered much as
usual; but still I could not help remarking on the face of each of
them a subdued expression of intelligence, as though in possession of
some charming bit of news or delightful morsel of scandal. Lady
Scapegrace was the first to put me on a footing of equality with the
rest.

"We have lost some of our party, Kate," said she, as she handed me my
tea. "I confess I suspected it last year, in London. She is a most
amiable girl, and will have a large fortune."

I looked at her ladyship as if I was dreaming.

"You needn't be so surprised, Kate," said she, laughing at my utter
bewilderment; "don't you miss anybody? Look round the table."

Sure enough the Molasses party were absent, and there was no Frank
Lovell. Then it was true, after all! He had sold himself to that
lackadaisical young lady, and had been making a fool of _me_, Kate
Coventry, the whole time. How angry I ought to have been! I was
surprised to find I was _not_. On the contrary, my first feeling was
one of inexpressible relief, as I thought there was now no earthly
obstacle between myself and that kind face on the other side of the
breakfast-table; though too soon a horrid tide of doubts and fears
surged up as I reflected on my own unworthiness and caprice.

How I had undervalued that noble, generous character! How often I had
wounded and annoyed him in sheer carelessness or petulance, and
thought little of inflicting on him days of pain to afford myself the
short and doubtful amusement of an hour's flirtation and folly!

What if he should cast _me_ off now? What if he had obtained an
insight into my character which had cured him entirely of any regard
he might previously have entertained for me? What if I should find
that I had all my life been neglecting the gem which I was too
ignorant to appreciate, and now, when I knew its real value and would
give my life