was invited to dinner, and everything was once more _couleur de rose_.

The first winter after Grandison's arrival in Canada he gave a grand
concert in Nordheimer's Hall, then the principal concert hall in the
city. Mary Sedley was the Prima Donna, and bouquet after bouquet was
thrown at her feet, as she retired amid the plaudits of the multitude.
After the concert Grandison accompanied them home to supper, and
about twelve o'clock took his leave of the family.

About an hour afterwards Mr. Sedley, thinking he heard a noise, got
up and searched the house, when, to his surprise, he found the door
unfastened. He thought he remembered having secured it as he retired
to rest, but was not certain; however, he proceeded, in his search,
and on coming to Mary's room, found the door locked, and heard his
daughter breathing heavily, as if asleep. Being unwilling to disturb
her, he returned to his bed, and, ere morning, the affair had passed
from his memory. Had he remained awake, however, he might have seen
a man emerge from his daughter's room, and, creeping stealthily
along the passage, go out at the hall-door, his daughter, the pure,
spotless Mary, _leader of Psalmody and sacred lays_, following close
at his heels, to fasten the door and make good his retreat.

This sort of thing went on for a long time, unsuspected by either
Miss Sedley's parents or friends, when Mary became suddenly placed
in a very awkward position. A certain Mr. Hazelton, junior partner
in a large hardware firm, had long been a suitor of hers, and had
asked repeatedly for her hand; her father had hitherto refused to
give his consent, owing to her tender age, but he had now withdrawn
every obstacle, and left her free to get married if she chose; more
than that, he urged Hazelton's suit, and, though unwilling to coerce