more quickly on his mind--of breaking away from his pledged word. At
breakfast on that morning he told all to Miss Le Smyrger, and that
lady, with warm and gracious intentions, confided to him her purpose
regarding her property. "I have always regarded Patience as my heir,"
she said, "and shall do so still."

"Oh, indeed," said Captain Broughton.

"But it is a great, great pleasure to me to think that she will give
back the little property to my sister's child. You will have your
mother's, and thus it will all come together again."

"Ah!" said Captain Broughton. He had his own ideas about property, and
did not, even under existing circumstances, like to hear that his aunt
considered herself at liberty to leave the acres away to one who was by
blood quite a stranger to the family.

"Does Patience know of this?" he asked.

"Not a word," said Miss Le Smyrger. And then nothing more was said
upon the subject.

On that afternoon he went down and received the parson's benediction
and congratulations with a good grace. Patience said very little on
the occasion, and indeed was absent during the greater part of the
interview. The two lovers then walked up to Oxney Combe, and there
were more benedictions and more congratulations. "All went merry as a
marriage bell," at any rate as far as Patience was concerned. Not a
word had yet fallen from that dear mouth, not a look had yet come over
that handsome face, which tended in any way to mar her bliss. Her