promises of faithful love. In four months she was married to Lord
Penryn."

"Oh, John, what did you do?"

"I forgot her."

"How could you?"

"As soon as I knew she was another man's wife, I did not dare to think
of her, and finding how much _thought_ had to do with this sin, I filled
my thoughts with complex and fatiguing business; in a word, I refused to
think of her in any way.

"Six years afterwards I met her at a garden party; she was with a crowd
of men and women. She had lost all her power over me. My pulses beat at
their ordinary calm pace and my heart was unmoved."

"And how did she bear the ordeal?"

"She said, 'Good afternoon, Mr. Hatton. I think we may have met
before.' A few days ago, we passed each other on the highway between
Hatton and Overton. I lifted my hat, and she pretended not to see me."

"Oh, John, how could the woman treat you so!"

"She acted wisely. I thank her for her discretion. Now, Harry, give
yourself and Lucy time to draw back, if either of you find out you have
been mistaken. There are many engagements in life that can be broken and
no great harm done; but a marriage engagement, if once fulfilled, opens