--for the mere empty
ceremony of marriage which satisfies society cannot make dishonour an
honourable thing. She had made her choice, and the readers of her
history must judge if that choice was right or wrong.

After dinner Harold came again as he had promised. The Squire was not
in the drawing-room when he was shown in.

Ida rose to greet him with a sweet and happy smile upon her face, for
in the presence of her lover all her doubts and troubles vanished like
a mist.

"I have a piece of news for you," said he, trying to look as though he
was rejoiced to give it. "Edward Cossey has taken a wonderful turn for
the better. They say that he will certainly recover."

"Oh," she answered, colouring a little, "and now I have a piece of
news for you, Colonel Quaritch. My engagement with Mr. Edward Cossey
is at an end. I shall not marry him."

"Are you sure?" said Harold with a gasp.

"Quite sure. I have made up my mind," and she held out her hand, as
though to seal her words.

He took it and kissed it. "Thank heaven, Ida," he said.

"Yes," she answered, "thank heaven;" and at that moment the Squire
came in, looking very miserable and depressed, and of course nothing
more was said about the matter.

CHAPTER XXXII

GEORGE PROPHESIES AGAIN

Six weeks passed, and in that time several things happened. In the
first place the miserly old banker, Edward Cossey's father, had died,
his death being accelerated by the shock of his son's accident. On his
will being opened, it was found that property and money to no less a
value than 600,000 pounds passed under it to Edward absolutely, the
only condition attached being that he should continue in the house of
Cossey and Son and leave a certain share of his fortune in the
business.

Edward Cossey also, thanks chiefly to Belle's tender nursing, had
almost recovered, with one exception--he was, and would be for life,
stone deaf in the right ear. The paralysis which the doctors feared
had not shown itself. One of his first questions when he became
convalescent was addressed to Belle Quest.

As in a dream, he had always seen her sweet face hanging over him, and
dimly known that she was ministering to him.

"Have you nursed me ever since the accident, Belle?" he said.

"Yes," she answered.

"It is very good of you, considering all things," he murmured. "I
wonder that you did not let me die."

But she turned her face to th