er, more womanly, and there was a
sweet peace and kindness in her countenance, which, combined with a
sudden blush at the sight of him, caused him to discover in her new
graces and a more touching beauty than he had been able to discern
before. Mr. Fairfax was very glad to see him, and interested to hear all
he had to tell. Since he had learnt to appreciate at their real worth
his granddaughter's homely virtues, his desire for her union with this
gentleman had revived. He had the highest opinion of Mr. Cecil
Burleigh's disposition, and he would be thankful to put her in his
keeping--a jewel worth having.

Presently Bessie was released from her attendance, and the visitor took
her place: her grandfather wished to speak to Mr. Cecil Burleigh alone.
He began by reverting to the old project of their marriage, and was
easily satisfied with an assurance that the gentleman desired it with
all his heart. Miss Julia Gardiner's wedding had not yet taken place.
She had been delicate through the winter, and Mr. Brotherton had
succumbed to a sharp attack of gout in the early spring. So there had
been delay after delay, but the engagement continued in force, and Mr.
Cecil Burleigh had not repeated his indecorous visit. He believed that
he was quite weaned from that temptation.

Mr. Fairfax gave him every encouragement to renew his siege to
Elizabeth, and promised him a dower with her if he succeeded that should
compensate for her loss of position as heiress of Abbotsmead. It was an
understood thing that Mr. Cecil Burleigh could not afford to marry a
scantily-portioned wife, and a whisper got abroad that Miss Fairfax was
to prosper in her fortunes as she behaved, and to be rich or poor
according as she married to please her grandfather or persevered in
refusing his choice. If Bessie heard it, she behaved as though she heard
it not. She went on being good to the old man with a most complete and
unconscious self-denial--read to him, wrote for him, walked and drove
with him at his will and pleasure, which began to be marked with all the
exacting caprice of senility. And the days, weeks, months slipped round
again to golden September. Monotony abridges time, and, looking behind
her, Bessie could hardly believe that it was over a year ago since she
came home from France.

One day her grandfather observed or imagined that she looked paler than
her wont. He had a letter in his hand, which he gave to her, saying,
"You were disappointed of