At last, the fatal time had all but come, when the black figures of the gentlemen entered one after the other, Marian scarcely venturing to look at them, and overpowered with a double access of fright and shyness, which chained her to her seat, and her eyes to the ground. But now--Edmund's hand was grasping hers, Edmund was by her side, his voice was saying, "Well, Marian, how are you?" She looked up at him for one moment, then on the ground again, without speaking. "Oakworthy has put no colour in your cheeks," said he. "Are you quite well?" "Quite, thank you," said she, almost as shortly and coldly as if she had been answering Mrs. Lyddell. "When did you hear from home?" "Yesterday," said she, speaking more readily. "Agnes always writes once a week. When do you go there?" "Next week, when I leave this place." "You come from the Marchmonts, don't you?" "Yes, Selina sends you her love, and all manner of kind messages. She hopes to see you in London after Easter." "O dear! There is Mrs. Lyddell looking at me, and I see Caroline is gone! Good night, Edmund." "So soon? I hoped to have seen more of you to-day; I came early on purpose." "I thought so, but they would not let me stay at home." "I understand. Don't squeeze up your lips and look woeful. I knew how it was. Good night." Marian walked slowly up stairs, sighing as she went, and looked into Gerald's room. He was awake, and called out, "Well, Marian, are you not glad he has come?" "O yes, very," returned Marian, in a tone of little gladness; "I hope you will be very happy with him." "Why not you?" "It will be all disappointment," she answered in a choking voice, as, sheltered by the darkness, she knelt down by Gerald's bed, and burst into tears. "It will all be like to-day." "No, it shall not!" cried Gerald; "I will tell Edmund all about it, and he shall send them all to the right about! I can't think why you did not tell Mrs. Lyddell that you always stay at home for Edmund." "Miss Arundel," said Saunders, at the door, "do you know that it is half an hour later than usual?" The next morning Marian awoke with brighter spirits. It was possible that she might accomplish one walk with him, and Gerald was sure of being constantly at his side, which was the great point. At any rate, she could not be very unhappy while he was in the house.