"So mamma says," replied Gertrude, with a bitter smile. "Like you, I am to have an establishment." "Oh, Gertrude, sister!" whispered Renee, kissing her. "But it makes it less bitter, now that Mr Huish has proved to be--" Gertrude laid her hand upon her lips. "Hush, Renee!" she cried. "I do not know what you may have heard, and I will not listen to it. Neither will I sit and hear a word against Mr Huish." "I will not speak against him, dear," said Renee sadly; and she gazed piteously in her sister's eyes. "And you, Renee? My poor darling! your position gives me the heartache." "I shall wait, Gertrude. Some day he will find out my innocence and return to ask my pardon. I can wait till then. You see, dear, that, like you, I have faith, and can abide my time." In place of returning home, Gertrude persuaded her sister to accompany her to her uncle's, where Vidler admitted them both directly, and showed them up to the darkened drawing-room. It was a curious change from the bright sunshine of the street to the gloom within; but it seemed to accord well with the sadness in the sisters' breasts, and they sat and talked to the old man, playing to him as well, till it drew near the time for them to return to their respective homes. All this time the pale, almost ghostly-looking hand was playing about in the little opening, and indicating by its nervous action that something was passing in the ordinarily calm mind of its owner. "Renee, my child," he said at last, "I can hear that you are in trouble." There was no reply for a few moments, and then she said softly: "Yes, dear uncle." "I do not ask you for your confidence," he said, "for if it is some trouble between you and your husband it should be sacred. I dreaded this," he muttered to himself. "Gertrude, my child, I would not, if I could help it, do anything to encourage you to act in disobedience to your parents' wishes, but be careful how you enter on this proposed alliance. I like it not, I like it not." Gertrude did not answer, only stole to the opening, and pressed her warm fresh lips to the cold white hand. Then the young people took their leave, and the yellow-looking house in Wimpole Street resumed its wonted aspect of gloom. Volume 2, Chapter VII. BROUGHT TO A DOUBLE HEAD. "Ah, my dearest boy!" cried Lady Millet, an evening or two later; "I did not expect you." "'Spose not," said Dick shortly; "but I've come, all the same." "You want money, sir, I suppose; and I will not have papa worried." "No, I don't want money. I've come up on particular business." "Business! Great heavens, my dear child! what is the matter?" "Well, I don't know yet. But, I say, is Gertrude going to marry John Huish?" "Certainly not--impossible! I have other views for your sister." "And what are they?"