himself in a difficulty.

"Of course Hugh is always right," returned Fay with much dignity.
"When I said it was a pity, it was only because I like you both so
much, and that I know I shall want to see you again."

"You are very good," replied Raby, but there was embarrassment in his
tone; it was evident that Hugh's wife knew nothing about his previous
engagement to Margaret. It was a grievous error, he told himself, for
one day it must come to her ears; why, the whole neighborhood was
cognizant of the fact. She would hear it some day from strangers, and
then the knowledge that her husband had not been true to her--that he
had kept this secret from her--would fill her young heart with
bitterness; and as these thoughts passed through his mind, Margaret
clasped her hands involuntarily: "The first mistake," she murmured;
"the first mistake."

Just then the sound of carriage wheels was distinctly audible on the
gravel sweep before the house, and the next moment Erle entered the
room.

"I am sorry to have been so long," he said, apologetically, and Fay
thought he seemed a little flurried, "but Hugh asked me to go round
and put off those people; they all seemed dreadfully sorry to hear of
your accident, Fay."

"And Hugh?" with a touch of anxiety in her voice.

"Oh, Hugh seemed rather put out about the whole business. I think he
wanted to pitch into me for not taking better care of you. How is the
foot, Fay--less painful?"

"Oh, yes, and I have been so comfortable; Mr. and Miss Ferrers have
been so good to me. I suppose I ought to go now,"--looking regretfully
at Margaret, who had laid aside her work.

"Well, I don't think we ought to lose any more time," observed Erle;
"the days are so awfully short, you know, and really these roads are
very bad."

"And your husband will be waiting," put in Raby.

"Poor Hugh, of course he will," returned Fay quickly. "Erle, I am
afraid you will have to carry me to the carriage, unless you ask
George to do so;" but Erle stoutly refused to deliver up his charge,
so Fay bade good-bye to her new friends.

"Thank you so much, Miss Ferrers," she said, putting up her face to be
kissed. "I shall tell Hugh how good you have been to me. I am so sorry
it is good-bye, Mr. Ferrers."

"Then we will not say it at all," he returned, heartily, as his big
hand seemed to swallow up Fay's little soft fingers. "I will wish you
God-speed instead, Lady Redmond. I dare say your cousin, Mr.
Huntingd