against "sister" so much that, considering poor Vera's propensity to
strong language, it was quite possible that Hubert might think her
cruelly oppressed, and for a freak carry her off to his mother to be
consoled.

Agatha tried to believe it, for the sake of hushing the exhausted
Paula, who almost went into hysterics, as she laughed at the notion
of to-morrow's telegram that Vera was safe at Filsted; and then
allowed herself to be calmed enough to sleep, while Agatha revolved
the notion, but found herself unable seriously to believe, that
sufficient grievance could be brought against sister to induce any
man in his senses to take such a step. But then Paula had inferred
that he was a lover, and Agatha did not know of what lovers might be
capable, and she could not but blame herself for not having given
more importance to the semi-confidences of her sisters on the first
day of her arrival. It was all misery; and the two poor girls could
find no solace in the morning, save in talking to Magdalen, though
that involved the confession of all the murmurs against her, the
distrust of her kindness, and the explanation of the interviews,
which, as far as Paula had ever witnessed them, were absolutely
harmless, the only pity being in their concealment.

Magdalen was manifestly as wretched as they, or even more so, being
convinced of her own shortcoming in not having won the affection or
confidence that would have made all open between them. She could not
understand why Hubert Delrio should not have been made known to her.

"We thought," said Paula, "we thought you might not think him enough-
-enough--of a gentleman for your sort of society."