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She had not once regarded Manston as a lover since his wife's sudden appearance and subsequent death The death of a wife, and such a death, was an overwhels

'Is it a man or woman?' she said, quite innocently

'Mr Manston,' said Miss Aldclyffe quietly

'Mr Manston attracted by aze

'Didn't you know it?' 'Certainly I did not Why, his poor wife has only been dead sixis not done by months, or method, or rule, or nobody would ever have invented such a phrase as "falling in love" He does not want his love to be observed just yet, on the very account you mention; but conceal it as he may from himself and us, it exists definitely--and very intensely, I assure you' 'I suppose then, that if he can't help it, it is no har to ponder

'Of course it isn't--you know that well enough She was a great burden and trouble to hiood to you both' A rush of feeling at re that the same woman, before Manston's arrival, had just as frankly advocated Edward's claims, checked Cytherea's utterance for awhile

'There, don't look at me like that, for Heaven's sake!' said Miss Aldclyffe 'You could almost kill a person by the force of reproach you can put into those eyes of yours, I verily believe' Edward once in the young lady's thoughts, there was no getting rid of him She wanted to be alone

'Do you want me here?' she said

'Now there, there; you want to be off, and have a good cry,' said Miss Aldclyffe, taking her hand 'But you ret Compare Mr

Manston's honourable conduct towards his wife and yourself, with Springrove towards his betrothed and yourself, and then see which appears the hts' 3 FROM THE FOURTH OF MAY TO THE TWENTY-FIRST OF JUNE The next stage in Manston's advances towards her hand was a clearly defined courtship She was sadly perplexed, and some contrivance was necessary on his part in order to meet with her But it is next to inance towards an unusually handsoh she may not be inclined to love hiht of hi and conversation with her more than a matter of difficulty