Nellie’s return was what Mrs. Livingstone dreaded, and very ingeniously she set herself at work to put aside Mabel’s objections, succeeding so far that the young girl promised compliance with whatever she should think proper. The next morning, as John Jr. was passing through the hall, she called him into her room, delicately broaching the subject of his engagement, saying she knew he could not help loving a girl possessed of so many excellent qualities as Mabel Ross. Very patiently John Jr. heard her until she came to speak of love. Then, in much louder tones than newly engaged men are apt to speak of their betrothed, he exclaimed, “Love! Fudge! If you think I’m marrying Mabel for love, you are greatly mistaken, I like her, but love is out of the question.” “Pray what are you marrying her for? Her property?” “Property!” repeated John, with a sneer, “I’ve seen the effect of marrying for property, and I trust I’m not despicable enough to try it for myself. No, madam, I’m not marrying her for money—but to spite Nellie Douglass, if you must know the reason. I’ve loved her as I shall never again love womankind, but she cheated me. She’s married to Robert Wilbur, and now I’ve too much spirit to have her think _I_ care. If she can marry, so can I—she isn’t the only girl in the world—and when I heard what she had done, I vowed I’d offer myself to the first female I saw. As good or bad luck would have it, ’twas Mabel, who you know said yes, of course, for I verily believe she likes me far better than I deserve. What kind of a husband I shall make, the Lord only knows, but I’m in for it. My word is passed, and the sooner you get us tied together the better, but for heaven’s sake, don’t go to making a great parade. Mabel has no particular home. She’s here now, and why not let the ceremony take place here. But fix it to suit yourselves, only don’t let me hear you talking about it, for fear I’ll get sick of the whole thing.” This was exactly what Mrs. Livingstone desired. She had the day before been to Frankfort herself, learning from Mrs. Atkins of Mr. Wilbur’s marriage with the English girl. She knew her son was deceived, and it was highly necessary that he should continue so. She felt sure that neither her daughters, Mabel, nor ’Lena knew of Mr. Wilbur’s marriage, and she resolved they should not. It was summer, and as many of their city friends had left Frankfort for places of fashionable resort, they received but few calls; and by keeping them at home until the wedding was over, she trusted that all would be safe in that quarter. Durward, too, was fortunately absent, so she only had to deal with Mabel and John Jr. The first of these she approached very carefully, casually telling her of Mr. Wilbur’s marriage, and then hastily adding, “But pray don’t speak of it to any one, as there are special reasons why it should not at present be discussed. Sometime I may tell you the reason.”