'I am acting best for your ultimate happiness, Milly, be sure of
that,' he said in a kinder tone than he had used before. 'There, my
love, go and be happy with Miss Crofton, and let us all agree to
forget this business as quickly as possible.'

This was our dismissal. We went back to Milly's pretty sitting-room,
where the sun was shining and the warm summer air blowing on birds
and flowers, and books and drawing materials, and all the airy
trifles that had made our lives pleasant to us until that hour.
Milly sat on a low stool at my feet, and buried her face in my lap,
refusing all comfort. She sat like this for about an hour, weeping
silently, and then rose suddenly and wiped the tears from her pale
face.

'I am not going to lead you a miserable life about this, Mary,' she
said. 'We will never speak of it after to-day. And I will try to do
my duty to papa, and bear my life without that new happiness, which
made it seem so bright. Do you think Mr. Egerton will feel the
disappointment very much, Mary?'

'He cannot help feeling it, dear, if he loves you--as I believe he
does.'

'And we might have been so happy together! I was dreaming of Cumber
Priory all last night. I thought it had been restored with some of
my money, and that the old house was full of life and brightness.
Will he go away, do you think, Mary?'

'I should think it very likely.'