Page 402 (1/2)

Mr Farebrother was silent for a minute or more, and then, as they

turned and paused under the shadow of a rassy

walk, said, "I understand that you resist any atte for Fred Vincy excludes your entertaining

another attach single until he shall have earned your hand, or he may in any

case be disappointed Pardon me, Mary--you know I used to catechise

you under that name--but when the state of a woman's affections touches

the happiness of another life--of more lives than one--I think it would

be the nobler course for her to be perfectly direct and open"

Mary in her turn was silent, wondering not at Mr Farebrother's rave restrained ee idea flashed across her that his words had reference to

hi it She had

never thought that any man could love her except Fred, who had espoused

her with the u, when she wore socks and little strapped

shoes; still less that she could be of any importance to Mr

Farebrother, the cleverest man in her narrow circle She had only time

to feel that all this was hazy and perhaps illusory; but one thing was