assured, Mr. Fenton, that whatever may happen to me, I shall never become
Mrs. Theobald Pallinson."

"I hope not. I am quite ready to acknowledge Mr. Pallinson's merits and
accomplishments, but I do not think him worthy of you."

"It is rather awful, isn't it, for me to speak of marriage at all within
a few months of my husband's death? But when a woman has money, people
will not allow her to forget that she is a widow for ever so short a
time. But it is quite a question if I shall ever marry again. I have very
little doubt that real happiness is most likely to be found in a wise
avoidance of all the perils and perplexities of that foolish passion
which we read of in novels, if one could only be wise; don't you think
so, Mr. Fenton?"

"My own experience inclines me to agree with you, Mrs. Branston," Gilbert
answered, smiling at the little woman's naïveté.

"Your own experience has been unfortunate, then? I wish I were worthy of
your confidence. Mr. Saltram told me some time ago that you were engaged
to a very charming young lady."

"The young lady in question has jilted me."

"Indeed! And you are very angry with her, of course?"

"I loved her too well to be angry with her. I reserve my indignation for
the scoundrel who stole her from me."

"It is very generous of you to make excuses for the lady," Mrs. Branston