"Then you think," she said at length, "that I shall be quite safe in--Oh, that is a bad way of putting it! Do forgive me for talking to you like this. You, Mrs. Quarrier, are very happily married; but I am sure you can sympathize with a girl's uncertainty. We have so few opportunities of----Oh, it was so true what Mr. Quarrier said in his lecture at the Institute--before you came. He said that a girl had to take her husband so very much on trust--of course his words were better than those, but that's what he meant." "Yes--I know--I have heard him say the same thing." "I don't ask," pursued the other, quickly, "about his religious opinions, or anything of that kind. Nowadays, I suppose, there are very few men who believe as women do--as most women do." She glanced at Lilian timidly. "I only mean--do you think him a good man--an honourable man?" "To that I can reply with confidence," said Lilian, sweetly. "I am quite sure he is an honourable man--quite sure I believe he has very high thoughts. Have you heard him play? No man who hadn't a noble nature could play like that." Serena drew a sigh of relief. "Thank you, dear Mrs. Quarrier--thank you so very much! You have put my mind at rest." These words gave delight to the hearer. To do good and to receive gratitude were all but the prime necessities of Lilian's heart. Obeying her impulse, she began to say all manner of kind, tender, hopeful things. Was there not a similarity between this girl's position and that in which she had herself stood when consenting to the wretched marriage which happily came to an end at the church door? Another woman might have been disposed to say, in the female parrot-language: "But do you love him or not? That is the whole question." It was _not_ the whole question, even granting that love had spoken plainly; and Lilian understood very well that it is possible for a girl to contemplate wedlock without passionate feeling such as could obscure her judgment. They talked with much intimacy, much reciprocal good-will, and Serena took her leave with a comparatively cheerful mind. She had resolved what to do. And the opportunity for action came that afternoon. Glazzard called upon her. He looked rather gloomy, but smiled in reply to the smile she gave him. "Have you read Mr. Gladstone's address to the electors of Midlothian?" Serena began by asking, with a roguish look. "Pooh! What is such stuff to me?" "I knew I should tease you. What do you think of Mr. Quarrier's chances?" "Oh, he will be elected, no doubt." Glazzard spoke absently, his eyes on Serena's face, but seemingly not conscious of her expression. "I hope he will," she rejoined. "What!--you hope so?" "Yes, I do. I am convinced he is the right man. I agree with his principles. Henceforth I am a Radical." Glazzard laughed mockingly, and Serena joined, but not in the same tone.