'like water to a thirsty soul is news from a
far country.' How often I say those words to myself."

"But not bad news, surely, Miss Crystal; and it is like enough you'll
think mine bad when told. Hark, it only wants the half hour to noon,
and they are man and wife now."

"Man and wife! of whom are you talking, Catharine?"

"Of whom should I be talking, dearie, but of the young master?" but
the girl interrupted her with strange vehemence.

"Catharine, you will drive me crazy with that slow soft tongue of
yours. How can Hugh Redmond be married while Margaret stands under the
elm trees alone?"

"But it is true, Miss Crystal, for all that--as sure as the blue sky
is above us--Sir Hugh Redmond weds to-day with a bonny bit child from
foreign parts that no one set eyes on, and whom he is bringing home as
mistress to the old Hall."

"I don't believe you!" exclaimed the girl, stormily; but in spite of
her words the olive complexion grew pale. "You are jesting, Catharine;
you are imposing on me some village fable--some credulous report. As I
love Margaret, I refuse to believe you."

"The time was when a word from Catharine would have contented you,
Miss Crystal," replied the woman, sorrowfully, and her honest face
grew overcast. "Do you think Miss Margaret's own foster-sister, who
was brought up with her, would deceive you now? But it is like enough
that sorrow and pride have turned your head, and the mistake of having
made the first false step beside."

"Forgive me," returned the girl, hoarsely; and she took the work
hardened hand and pressed it between both her own. "I will try to
believe you, though I can not realize it that Margaret--my
Margaret--has been jilted."

"No, nor that either, dearie. We must not blame the poor young master
beyond his deserts. He loved her true, Miss Crystal; he loved her that
true that his heart was like to break; but for all that he was forced
to give her up."

"I can not understand it," in a bewildered voice. "When I left the
dear old home that summer's day a year ago they had been engaged nine
months; yes, it was nine months, I remember, for it was on her
birthday that he asked her to be his wife, and they had loved each
other long before that. Do you think I can ever forget that time?"

"I dare say not. Anyhow, things went on well for a time; the young
master was always at the Grange, or Miss Margaret and Mr. Raby at the
Hall; and when he was away, for he was always a bit roving,