"My brother and I had a talk on the subject when I was in town," she replied coldly, "and he entirely agreed with me that it was the best thing for you. He will be in no wise surprised, but only relieved that the arrangement is completed. He is very well and in good spirits, and is coming down next week with Eunice Rollo to pay us a visit, when we have planned a succession of amusements." "Oh," remarked Rosalind shortly. "Is he, indeed!" She tried to say she was rejoiced to hear it, but her lips refused to form the lie, for Peggy's words had been so many daggers in her heart. Arthur would be "relieved," he was in "good spirits," he was coming down to enjoy himself in the country in company with. Eunice Rollo! Could anything be more wounding to the vanity which made her treasure the idea of broken-hearted grief? Once more Rosalind called Peggy cruel in her heart, and Peggy mentally justified her harshness by reminding herself that the knowledge of Arthur's fortitude would do more towards turning Rosalind's heart toward her _fiance_ than a volume of moral reflections. Some slave to worship and adore, she _must_ possess, and if she could no longer think of Arthur in that position, so much the more chance that she would appreciate his successor. No more was said on the subject, and in a few minutes Rosalind rose to say good-bye and take her way to the vicarage. "For I must congwatulate Esther!" she said, laughing. "That is to say, if I can contwive to do it without laughing outwight. It is _too_ widiculous to think of Esther being mawwied! She is a born old maid, and I hear he is quite old, nearly forty, with grey hair and spectacles and a stoop to his back. He teaches, doesn't he, or lectures or something, and I suppose he is as poor as a church mouse. What in the world induced the silly girl to accept him?" "Look in her face and see!" said Peggy shortly. "And don't waste your pity, Rosalind, for it is not required. Professor Reid is as big a man in his own way as Lord Everscourt himself; and from a worldly point of view Esther is making a good match. That, however, is not what her face will tell you. They are going to be married in October, and Mellicent and I are to be bridesmaids." "And drive to church in a village fly, and come back to a scwamble meal in the dining-woom! Pwesents laid out on the schoolwoom table, and all the pawishioners cwowding together in the dwawingwoom. I can't just imagine a vicarage marriage, and how you have the courage to face it, Mawiquita, I weally can't think!" cried Rosalind, in her most society drawl. "You must be _my_ bwidesmaid, dear, and I'll pwomise you a charming gown and a real good time into the bargain. I'm determined it shall be the smartest affair of the season!"