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to see what had been the effect of his words.

Hilda's answer was given by the expression of her face. She did not look at him, or speak, she only shook her head sadly.

"Hilda, I implore you," he cried passionately, "don't refuse to listen to me; anything but that. I have frightened you, perhaps; I have been too quick; but I don't want to hurry you. I am too much in earnest to care that you should decide all at once. Take time over it. Only don't say 'no' at once. By heavens, Hilda!" he cried, as she made a gesture of dissent, "you shall not refuse me. The happiness of both of us requires that you should listen to my prayer. The sacrifice is all on your side, I know; but still, my great love must count for something. By heavens, Hilda! you must and shall yield to it," and he rushed forward to seize her in his arms.

But Hilda retreated a step backwards, and stopped him with outstretched hands. "No, Robert, dear," she said tenderly, and without expressing the fear she felt, "do not be unjust to yourself. Remember that I am in your house, and under your protection. Do not be unlike yourself."

"You are right, Hilda, as you always are," he answered, dropping

his arms as she released them, and standing ashamed and penitent before her: "I feel that I am in a false position in pleading before you here. I wish I could have spoken anywhere else, in some place where we might be as equals. Equals! We can never be equals! You will always be my superior. You are as good and wise as you are beautiful. But you cannot surpass me in the power of loving. What can I say more to make you hearken to me?"

Just then the sound of the halldoor opening made them both turn and look that way. It was one of the servants coming in. The door was shut again, and she could be heard passing into the kitchen.

"There is no time to say more now, Hilda," continued Clifford, after a pause, "but I won't take your denial in this way, there is too much involved in it. You shall not commit yourself by saying anything now."

But Hilda gave him a sorrowful look, and opening the door, passed swiftly out and sought her own room. Clifford remained standing where she had left him for a short time only, and then rushed out of the house to find in exercise an outlet for his pent-up feelings. When he returned, Hilda had gone.

CHAPTER XXX.

Hilda had time to regain her composure before she set out homewards. And the prosaic scene of the railway station served as an effectual antidote to the emotion she had just gone through. Indeed, as she sat, one of several passengers in the railway carriage, in the afternoon train down to Rainham, she found it difficult to realise the scene she had just gone through,

still less to take in the full import of the change which had suddenly been wrought iu her life. But feeling instinctively that there would be plenty of time before her to think over the past as well as the future, she strove, and to a certain extent effectually, to put the present aside, and to keep her thoughts closed to it. thing she was very conscious: she

Of one

had always felt that the strange situation in which she had found herself was too unreal and artificial to last. But now that the bubble had burst, she would at least live on for a few hours with senses dulled before indulging in the luxury of grief, or applying herself to the practical business of facing the future.

She found no one at home but Martha the maid. And now as she sat down to rest awhile after her walk from the station, there was nothing to occupy her attention, or prevent her mind from reverting to the events of the morning. But no! If her thoughts turned to Clifford, there would be the danger of dwelling on the sacrifice which he had made for her sake. She must never allow herself to admit the possibility of even considering his proposition. She must strive for the present to maintain her condition of mental stupor, and rising, she went down-stairs to help Martha to get ready the evening meal. And suffering Martha's tongue to run on as the two worked together in the little kitchen-an opportunity which the honest maid took full advantage of-she was able to keep her own attention from dwelling on herself.

He was

The evening wore on, and still her father did not come home. He had gone up by the next train after Hilda's, Martha said; he told her that he had an important appointment to keep in town. looking quite smart, with a handbag, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers which the young man from the flower-shop brought just as he was starting. The young man carried the bag for him to the station. Just now Hilda missed him more than she might otherwise have done; although she was sensible of the comfort of being alone,

and that her father had of late been less of a companion than ever, his presence would have given her a sense of protection of which in the present state of her nerves she felt the need greatly. She would not, however, delay the serving of the simple evening meal, knowing that her father usually had plenty of refreshment when making excursions with his new friend. But although she sent Martha to bed at the usual hour, after the house had been locked up for the night, she sat up herself till after the last train from town had come in without bringing him.

Sound is the sleep of youth and health, even when sorrow and care sit on the pillow, ready to obtrude themselves when the sleeper awakes. But it was not immediately on waking that the events of the previous day came back to Hilda's recollection, and that she remembered, too, that her father had not come home. Then there returned to her the dull feeling that a great calamity had to be faced,-that the life which had of late been so sweet was now ended, and the future all drear and uncertain. But for a little longer, at any rate, would she put off facing the inevitable problem. It was Sunday; for this day at least would she keep herself from thinking how she was to get food and clothing for herself and her father, and what must be done for little Arthur. The sun was high in the heavens when she awoke, and the morning bright and warm, the fine summer weather still holding on; and as Hilda looked at herself in the glass, she was fain to admit that care had not yet dimmed her eyes, or robbed her cheek of its bloom. "Is it true," she thought, "that I am really as pretty as he says I am? But no! that thought must be put away altogether. He has made it

impossible for me to allow myself to think about him."

She was still at her toilet when Martha came up, bringing a letter which she said she thought was in master's handwriting. It was; and Hilda with a natural feeling of anxiety, and divining by instinct that it contained some important announcement, sat down on the edge of the bed to read it.

"MY DEAR HILDA," it began, "although extremely busy, I write a hurried line to announce to you my marriage this morning to the lady who, you are aware, has lately been engaging a large share of my attention. I have been sensible for some time that my children did not value their father's society; they can hardly be surprised that he should seek for sympathy from the gentle and appreciative disposition of one who values him for his own sake. Reasons which I will not now go into rendered it expedient to make the marriage a private one, and to carry it out as speedily as possible, to relieve Mrs. Baker-as my dear Mary Ann was called till this morning-from the embarrassing situation in which she found herself, and from the insidious addresses of designing persons, which could be effectually repelled only by a husband's protection. We start this afternoon for Boulogne, as Mary Ann has always had a great desire hitherto ungratified -to see foreign countries. And our stay abroad will be a little uncertain; but I need not say that I shall look forward to the earliest opportunity of introducing my remaining children to their new mamma, and I am sure they will give her a fitting welcome, as much. on my account as on her own. Your step-mother is no longer young, and would not perhaps appear clever to you who have had

such advantages in the way of education; but she has an affectionate and sympathising disposition, and is most favourably disposed towards you. I will just add that our speedy nuptials having rendered regular marriage settlements impossible, I have not attempted to control my Mary Ann's own disposition of her quarterly jointure; but I am sure you will feel with me that there would be an obvious indelicacy in suggesting an immediate application to her purse, as it has already had a heavy call for the special licence. I am obliged, therefore, to leave my little account with you undischarged, but this I am in hopes will not cause inconvenience. After all, it is merely a very remunerative investment of a little capital.

Should you be in any temporary difficulty, I am sure your generous employer would make you an advance of salary.-In great haste, ever your affectionate father,

"WILLIAM REID.

"P.S.-I think of letting the cottage, as the extreme quiet of Rainham would never suit my dear Mary Ann, who is fond of excitement and cheerful society. But of course you need not be in any hurry about turning out."

Although the announcement surprised her, coming so soon and so suddenly, Hilda had not been able to avoid the suspicion that her father was meditating something of the kind; and it would be only in accordance with his weak disposition that he should commit himself privately in this way. Nor was she blind to other points in his character; but the mingled feebleness and heartlessness of the letter came to lacerate anew a heart still sore and craving for sympathy. True, her father would have been a burden and not a support, and would have added to the difficulty

of her penniless position; still it would have been a real comfort in her present forlorn condition to have some one who knew her at hand; not to be so thoroughly alone in the world as she now seemed to be. Then unbidden would come up the thought that she need not be alone if she chose. But no! that thought must be sternly put aside. She must not at any cost admit the possibility of consenting to the proposal her lover had made. Crushed and weary, Hilda descended to the little parlour to her solitary breakfast. She had not the heart, in reply to Martha's inquiries what was the news from master, to tell her the whole truth; she merely said that he had gone to France for a few days, and it was not quite certain when he would be back. But the maid could see from Hilda's manner that something was amiss.

Now came the long day, and Hilda afterwards remembered but dimly how she got through it. The bells were ringing for church, but Hilda knew no consolation in that direction. When living abroad with her aunt and uncle they had seldom attended any services, and at home there was the same neglect. Hilda's family and Hilda herself differed from a great many of her own class merely in not making any pretence of having any religion; whereas the religious profession of such people is limited to going to church once a week, without even pretending to pray when there, as if their attendance was rather a concession to public opinion than of any efficacy in itself. Hilda and the rest of the household, except Martha, with whom it was the one holiday and excitement of the week, never went at all. Hilda could not find any consolation in believing that she was singled out for misfortune by the

goodness of Providence; she could not fall back on any higher feeling than a sense of duty. Just now she felt unfit for any mental process: she sat in the little drawing-room looking out idly into the garden.

The day wore on, and, first time for many days, became overcast. The dull overshadowed afternoon seemed to reflect her own condition, deserted as she was by all her family. Harry would now be nearly out of the Channel. Even Arthur had left her, and for the moment the thought of the child's happiness, contrasted with her own desolation, struck her with a sense of bitterness. But a healthier feeling soon succeeded. Poor little Arthur, his good fortune would be but short-lived! let him at least be happy for a time. For him, too, like herself, a change of life was impending. Then, her thoughts having turned to her little brother, she began to feel a longing to see him again. The sight of his loving face would be some consolation in her desolate condition. And why should she not go and see him? There would be a train to Richmond in about an hour, and one to bring her back in the evening. Yes; anything would be better than sitting here, and she was rising from her chair, when a sound suddenly arrested her movement, and she sank down helpless. was the sound of a footstep, heard plainly in the still summer afternoon-a step she would have recognised anywhere. Now it stops

It

at the gate, and as Clifford entering the garden, walked up the path, Hilda, so firm yesterday, sits as if paralysed, unable to stir.

Clifford saw her as he advanced, and that she was alone. It was merely a step from the garden into the room by the open window. Another, and he was standing before her.

She could not refuse the hand of greeting which he held out, and something in his manner reassured her. He had recovered his composure, and it was plain that he was desirous of effacing the impression created by his conduct of the previous day. Clifford, indeed, had come resolved to place a strong control over himself, and strove hard to efface all appearance of the lover. He hardly touched the fingers which she gave him, and did not even confront her eyes with his, as he seated himself opposite to her, and striving to appear unembarrassed in manner, asked if her father were at home. Hilda replied that he was away, hardly she scarcely knew why liking to make the avowal. "I am come," he said presently, "to find out something about which I am uneasy. I have been a little anxious lest you should not return to your duties to-morrow, but I would not wait till to-morrow to learn your intention. How is it? You did 'mean that, I see. Well, then, it is best to have the matter out with you. You know, of course, that you are not at liberty to break off without due notice, and equally, of course, that I should not place the matter on that ground. But I want you to consider what is right and proper, apart from considerations of my convenience, although, of course, it would be extremely inconvenient to be without the services of my secretary."

He said this in something like his old playful tone, which reassured her still more. "I shall be very sorry indeed to put you to inconvenience," she replied; "I would do anything rather than that-that is, anything possible." Here she stopped, in confusion. This was not at all how she ought to have received him.

"Never mind my convenience,"

he replied. "I want you to consider the thing from a business point of view, although I should never forgive myself if I drove you to lose or give up your situation. You are clever enough for anything, of course; but you know how difficult it is to find suitable employment, and you have not only yourself to consider, there is your father."

"My father is provided for," she said, sorrowfully; "he was married this morning." She had the letter in her hand, and held it up as she spoke by an involuntary movement, of which she at one repented, as well as of her speech, when she saw the eager and triumphant expression of his face. It was momentary, however. Clifford recovered his composure at once.

"This is surely unexpected?" he asked. 66 Come, Hilda, tell me something about it; I can see that the news has been a surprise." And Hilda in a few words made him acquainted with the facts. She could not help this, although she felt instinctively that she ought not to make a confidant of him, he was so full of interest and sympathy; and her manner of telling the brief tale, betrayed the pain caused by her father's conduct.

"He has not treated you well, certainly," Clifford observed; "but I cannot see that it is a bad thing on the whole;"-to him, indeed, the news was delightful" one heavy burden is removed from you; but you have still to support yourself, if you are quite resolved about leaving your present employment. Have you thought how this is to be done?"

"I suppose I shall go out as a governess. I ought not to have much difficulty in finding a situation."

"True," replied Clifford; and his heart sank as he recognised the

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