"Certainly," he replied. "What is it, pray? Is Mr. Harrington
matrimonially inclined?"

Edith's heart yearned for sympathy--for some one to sustain her--
to keep her from fainting by the wayside, and as she could not
confide in Grace, Victor was her only remaining refuge. He had
been the repositary of all her childish secrets, entering into her
feelings as readily and even more demonstratively than any female
friend could have done. Richard would tell him, of course, as soon
as it was settled, and as she knew now that it was settled, why
not speak first and so save him the trouble. Thus deciding, she
replied to his question,

"Yes, Richard is going to be married; but you must not let him
know I told you, till the engagement is made public."

Victor started, but had no shadow of suspicion that the young girl
before him was the bride elect. His master had once been foolish
enough to think of her as such he believed, but that time was
passed. Richard had grown more sensible, and Edith was the future
wife of Arthur St. Claire. Nina would not live long, and after she
was dead there would be no further hindrance to a match every way
so suitable. This was Victor's theory, and never doubting that the
same idea had a lodgment in the minds of both Arthur and Edith, he
could not conceive it possible that the latter would deliberately
give herself to Richard. Grace Atherton, on the contrary, would be
glad to do it; she had been coaxing his master these forty years,
and had succeeded in winning him at last. Victor did not fancy
Grace; and when at last he spoke, it was to call both his master
and Mrs. Atherton a pair of precious fools. Edith looked