trying to persuade people that Cora
Clavering is a monster is, beyond everything, absurd; as if everybody
didn't see how unwelcome the poor thing was, how shabbily they served
her, and how they tried to hide her when she came among them. Why, they
never invited a soul to meet her as a bride; and when I asked for her
the day I called, you would have thought I mentioned a troublesome
animal."

"She is too pretty, Helen," said her brother. "That Mrs. Phillips is a
perfect tartar, and her sisters have no heart for anything but show.
They would sell their father for their love of fashion."

"All but Margaret, George."

"All but Margaret; and she is as far above them as heaven is above
earth. She must have had some other 'bringing up' than theirs. I would
swear that _she_ never ill treated Mrs. Clavering."

"Not she! Maggie loves her devotedly."

"Then that is sufficient proof to me of her perfect innocence and their
own falsehood. Mark that, Helen, Margaret's love proves that Mrs.
Clavering is worthy of kind and gentle treatment."

* * * * *

One day Cora looked through the blind and saw her father-in-law before
the gate. He looked wistfully in, and stood for a few moments with his
hand on the latch. She would have gone out to meet him; but, remembering
their parting, felt reluctant to expose herself to farther insult. But
her heart yearned towards the poor old man, as she looked at his bent
form and face of care. He _was_ her husband's father, and as such
excited her sympathy. On Lewis's return, she mentioned the circumstance
to him.

"I wish he had seen you, dearest; he is sorry for the past, and
doubtless wished to come in, but dared not. He and Maggie are alone at
the house. I met her to-day, and she told me she was coming soon to see
you."

Dear Maggie! She came soon, and announced her approaching marriage with
Mrs. Markham's brother, George Seymour. She, whose motto was "Liberty
for me!"

"But, you see, Cora, I could not resist George; and all this time I have
loved him without being certain how it would terminate. I want to be
married in church; so does he; and you and Lewis will come and sit near
me. Laura and the girls are coming home for a week, and I want to
persuade papa to return with them. He will be so lonely without me! We
leave an hour or two after the ceremony."

"And when will you be back?" asked Cora, as the tears fell from her
eyes. "How I shall miss you, dar