tement she had naturally relied
on the loyalty of the girl in whom she had confided, and although no
actual promise had been given, that girl had also considered herself
bound in honour. Had she kept faith? For the most part Hope could
honestly answer in the affirmative, but looking back over the last few
days, she acknowledged that she had been sufficiently "off guard" to
allow herself to be monopolised without protest, and so had engrossed
the lion's share of Ralph Merrilies' attention. _Without protest_! The
blood rushed over Hope's face at the misleading sound of the words.
There had been no thought of protest--no wish for it--nothing but purest
delight and satisfaction in being thus monopolised. So far from feeling
any dismay, her heart had given a leap of triumph each time he had come
to her side. What did this mean? Did it--could it possibly be falling
in love? Was she beginning to care more for Ralph Merrilies than for
any man whom she had known? She mentally placed the image of one
masculine friend after the other beside this acquaintance of a week's
standing, and lo! they were as nothing--their weal or woe touched her
not at all, compared with the lightest interest of this comparative
stranger. _Beginning_ to care! She cared already--cared with all her
heart--cared more than she had even known it was possible to care.
Realising this, Hope grew frightened, and clasped trembling hands in her
lap. What madness was it, what will-o'-the-wisp, for which she had
bartered her peace? She, Hope Charrington, poor, insignificant,
friendless, and he the owner of a fine estate, handsome, distinguished,
influential, with the _entree_ into any society which he desired to
affect, the world a playground over which to roam at will! With such a
choice before him, such a stage on which to play his life, how was it
possible that he could cast a thought in her direction? What attention
he had paid her had been but that which a man would naturally show
towards any girl who happened to be to him--for the time at least--the
most interesting member of a house-party. Hope did not delude herself
that Ralph had any penchant for the lively Truda, but since the two
moved in the same circle, and had many opportunities of meeting, it was
possible that in time to come he might return the girl's fancy; in any
case she could not be the one to stand between them.

"I'll go home," decided Hope drearily. "My time is up on Tuesday, an