rwise. I care greatly for this
alliance, Mr. Glanville. Your sister is very dear to me. Moreover, the
advantages her mind would derive from the enlarged field of activity that
the position of a bishop's wife would afford, are palpable. I am induced
to think that an early settlement of the question--an immediate coming to
the point--which might be called too early in the majority of cases,
would be a right and considerate tenderness here. My only dread is that
she should think an immediate following up of the subject premature. And
the risk of a rebuff a second time is one which, as you must perceive, it
would be highly unbecoming in me to run.'

'I think the risk would be small, if your lordship would approach her
frankly. Write she will not, I am assured; and knowing that, and having
her interest at heart, I was induced to come to you and make this candid
statement in reply to your communication. Her late husband having been
virtually dead these four or five years, believed dead two years, and
actually dead nearly one, no reproach could attach to her if she were to
contract another union to-morrow.'

'I agree with you, Mr. Glanville,' said the Bishop warmly. 'I will think
this over. Her motive in not replying I can quite understand: your
motive in coming I can also understand and appreciate in a brother. If I
feel convinced that it would be a seemly and expedient thing I will come
to Welland to-morrow.'

The point to which Louis had brought the Bishop being so satisfactory, he
feared to endanger it by another word. He went away almost hurriedly,
and at once left the precincts of the cathedral, lest another encounter
with Dr. Helmsdale should lead the latter to take a new and slower view
of his duties as Viviette's suitor.

He reached Welland by dinner-time, and came upon Viviette in the same
pensive mood in which he had left her. It seemed she had hardly moved
since.

'Have you discovered Swithin St. Cleeve's address?' she said, without
looking up at him.

'No,' said Louis.

Then she broke out with indescribable anguish: 'But you asked me to wait
till this evening; and I have waited through the long day, in the belief
that your words meant something, and that you would bring good tidings!
And now I find your words meant nothing, and you have _not_ brought good
tidings!'

Louis could not decide for a moment what to say to this. Should he
venture to give her thoughts a new course by a revelation o