But Fern would not have owned that her life was unhappy as long as she had her mother to love her. She was taking herself to task this afternoon as she sat alone--for Fluff had escaped as usual to Mrs. Watkins's--and was blaming herself for her discontent; and then she sung very softly a verse of her favorite hymn-- "He that thou blessest is our good, And unblest good is ill, And all is right that seems most wrong If it be Thy sweet will." But almost before she had finished the last line, she was startled by her brother's abrupt entrance. "Percy! oh, I did not hear you," she faltered, and she turned a little pale, and her heart began to beat more quickly. It was foolish of her, but she never heard Percy's step without listening involuntarily for the quick light tread that used to follow it, but that never came now. "You are alone," he said, quickly, with a keen glance round the room. "Well, it is best because I wanted to speak to you. Have you heard from Miss Davenport lately, Fern?" "Yes," she stammered, raising her soft eyes to his face with a pitying expression; "I had a letter the other day." "Well," impatiently, "does she say when they are coming back?" "In another fortnight--at least they mean to start then;" and there she stopped, and looked at him very piteously. "How I wish mother would come; she will not be very long, and--and I would rather that you heard it from her." "Do you mean that you have anything special to tell me?" he asked, struck by her manner. "Oh, I wish you had not asked me," she returned, clasping her hands; "you are so fond of Crystal, and it will make you terribly unhappy; but mother said we ought to tell you, Percy, dear. There was never any hope for you--you know she always told you so; and now Crystal is married." "Married!" he almost shouted, and his handsome young face seemed to grow sharp and pale. "Married! Pshaw! you are jesting, Fern." "Dear Percy," she answered, gently, "do you think I would jest with you on such a subject? Indeed--indeed it is true. She was married some ten days ago to Mr. Ferrers, the blind clergyman, who was staying at Belgrave House. He had come there to look for her. He had known her from a child, and they had long loved each other." "Married!" he repeated, in the same dull, hard voice, and there was something in his face that made Fern throw her arms round his neck. "Oh, it is hard," she sobbed; "I know how hard it is for you to hear me say this, but it has to be faced. She never deceived you, dear--she never let you hope for a single moment; she was always true to herself and you. Try to bear it, Percy; try to be glad that her unhappiness is over, and that she is married to the man she loves. It is the only thing that will help you."