est sign, or even a glance, from Cecil, brought
him to her side, and there he would march for hours in silent but
perfect satisfaction. On the present occasion he seemed disposed to be
unwontedly talkative, and to indulge in certain speculations relative to
the intelligence they had just heard. It was true, he knew it before,
but nothing had been disclosed to him beyond the simple fact that
Royston was married, and married unhappily. Cecil checked him gently,
but very decidedly.

"I had rather not hear or say one word on the subject. It ought not to
interest either of us. In good time, I suppose, we shall be told all
that it is fitting we should know. Meanwhile, it would be very wrong to
make conjectures. No one has any right to pry into Major Keene's affairs
if he chooses to keep them secret. I do not believe any one ever did so,
even in thought, without repenting it. I dare say Mr. Fullarton will
find this out soon, and I shall not pity him in the least. A person
_ought_ to be punished who tries to startle people in that disagreeable
way. Did you hear Fanny's little shriek? I have not had time to laugh at
her about it yet. The path is too narrow for two to ride abreast."

The light tone and manner of her last words might have deceived a closer
observer than honest Dick Tresilyan. He lapsed into silence; but, after
some time, his meditations assumed a cheerfully-roseate hue, as they
resolved themselves into the fixed idea that Royston was lingering
behind "to have it out with the parson."

Some distance in the rear walked Harry Molyneux, holding dutifully his
wife's bridle-rein. It was very touching to see the diffidence and
humility with which he proffered his little attentions, which were
accepted, as it were, under protest. The truth was that _la mignonne_
had forgiven him already, and it was with great difficulty she refrained
from telling him so, by word or smile. Her soft heart melted within her
at the sight of the criminal's contrition, and decided that he had done
penance enough during the last half hour to atone for a graver
misdemeanor; but she deferred asking for explanations till a more
convenient season, when there should be no chance of interruption; and
meanwhile, on grounds of stern political necessity, _elle le boudait_.
(If any elegant scholar will translate that Gallicism for me literally,
I shall feel obliged to him.)

Fancy the sensations of a man fighting his frigate desperately against
overwh