retched out her hands to the blaze before she answered.

"I've been having tea at the cottage."

"And came home in the wet and dark by yourself?"

"No. Mr. Lessing saw me home."

"Of course; I know now that your staying at home to-day to take Sally
to the confirmation was just an excuse. You did not want to come with
me to Fairfield."

"No, I did not; but I honestly did want to go with Sally: she looked so
pretty, mother. I've not been at a confirmation since I was confirmed
myself."

"I don't want to talk of that just now, May. Lady Bland is terribly
hurt at the way you have treated Cecil. He's quite ill, poor fellow!"

"I'm sorry."

"You are not," snapped Mrs. Webster, "or you would have been kinder to
him!"

"Need we go over this oft-trodden ground again?" May asked rather
wearily. "I can only reiterate that I really can't and won't marry any
one I do not care for."

"I don't believe there is the man in creation that you will care for.
It really would be wise for you to accept the one you least dislike."

"Or not marry anybody."

"That is a more than likely alternative. You are five-and-twenty now,
and you might have been married over and over again."

May laughed. "I don't know why you are so keen to get rid of me. You
will be dreadfully lonely without me; not to say dull."

"That's true enough," said Mrs. Webster, softening; "but a girl like
you ought to marry. You won't make a good old maid."

"No," May admitted candidly.

And this question of marriage, which was sorely perplexing the
mistress, was pressing hard also upon her maid, for pretty Rose
Lancaster, who had successfully played off her rival suitors against
each other for a year, was at last compelled to make her choice between
them. Tom Burney had that day received an offer from the squire of a
free passage to Tasmania, and a very good appointment on a farm there
with a relation of Mr. Lessing's, where, if he gave satisfaction, he
might in a few years look forward to part-ownership.

"I only propose to part with you because agriculture does not pay, or I
have not learned the way to make it do so," the squire had said. "I
have been making up my mind to reduce my staff; and, my cousin having
lately written to me about a suitable man, it occurred to me to give
you the first offer."

Tom coloured with pleasure. "Thank you, sir; it seems a great chance.
It would be a certainty, wouldn't it? I could take another with me."