stoicism!" commented the master of the situation, beginning in his
round, legible characters, the inscription he hoped never to trace
again. "So endeth her first lesson in Cupid's manual!"

He never knew that Mrs. Sutton had bolstered the Aylett will and
stoicism into stanchness at this closing scene. In a fit of
despondency, she had that morning imparted to Mabel the fact that
she had written to Frederic, ten days before, and had no answer,
although she had besought an immediate one.

"I have expected him confidently every day for a week," she
lamented. "I didn't suppose he would stay at Ridgeley, after what
has happened; but there's the hotel in the village, and, as I told
him, he could accomplish more by an hour's talk with you than by
fifty letters. It is very mysterious--his continued silence! He
always appeared so frank and reasonable. Nothing else like it has
ever occurred in my experience--and I have had a great deal, my
dear!"

"I am sorry you wrote, aunt," replied Mabel, sorrowfully dignified.
"Sorry you have subjected yourself to unnecessary mortification. I
am past feeling it for myself. We cannot longer doubt that Mr.
Chilton desires to hold no further communication with any of us."

Within the hour she made up the pacquet and carried it to her
brother.