"Lionel--engaged to be married?" she said, quickly, and she looked up. He met her eyes and read them; surely there was nothing there other than a certain pleased curiosity; she had forgotten that this engagement might be the cause of her cousin's trouble; she only seemed to think it odd that Linn was about to be married. "Yes; and now I am afraid he regrets his rashness, and is in terrible trouble over it--or perhaps that is only one of several things. Well, I had made other forecasts for him," Mangan went on to say, with a little hesitation. "I could have imagined another future for him. Indeed, at one time, I thought that if ever he looked out for a wife it would be--a little nearer home--" Her eyes were swiftly downcast; but the next instant she had bravely raised them and was regarding him. "Do you mean me, Mr. Mangan?" she asked. He did not answer; he left her to understand. Miss Francie shook her head, and there was a slight smile on her lips. "No, no," she said. "That was never possible at any time. Where was your clear sight, Mr. Mangan? Of course I am very fond of Linn; I have been so all my life; and there's nothing I wouldn't do to save him trouble or pain. But even a stupid country girl may form her ideal--and in my case Lionel never came anywhere near to that. I know he is good and generous and manly--he is quite wonderful, considering what he has come through; but on the other hand--well--oh, well, I'm not going to say anything against Linn--I will not." "I am sure you will not," said Mangan, quietly; and here they reached the station. The parcel had not arrived; there was nothing for it but to retrace their steps; and on their way across the common they returned to Lionel and his wretched plight. "Surely," said Miss Francie, with a touch of indication in her voice--"surely, if Miss Burgoyne learns that he is fretting over this engagement, she will release him at once. No woman could be so shameless as to keep him to an unwilling bargain--"