"It has created a prejudice in my aunt's mind. against a poor girl, who, as it was, had no very easy cards to play." "I know Mrs. Murray does not like young ladies in general," remarked Colonel Kennedy," but I should have thought Miss Bingley's looks would have made all the difference; there is a sort of credit in bringing out a beauty." "I don't know about that," said Julian, "but I am sure here, that the presence of a nice girl would be everything. All my life long I have wanted a sister, I would give my right hand, as I have often said, for one, and now that anyone would believe we had got the best substitute, that could be found for a daughter of the house, there is all this fuss made, and one is not able to speak to her in peace." Colonel Kennedy did not at all disturb himself for all this petulance. Between his own goodhumour, and a certain assumed frankness, he generally got the best of it. "I am afraid it is this unlucky suggestion of yours which has done the mischief," continued Julian, more placably. "It will soon be forgotten," said Colonel Ken nedy, "but seriously, all things considered, I think Mrs. Murray, with her worldly wisdom, was guilty of a very rash act in giving an invitation, which must throw you and Miss Bingley so much together." I "My good fellow!" cried Julian," let me once for all disabuse your mind of this delusion. have not the slightest intention of marrying Miss Bingley, and I don't suppose she would have me if I asked her." Colonel Kennedy shrugged his shoulders. "You're a very tolerable parti, and I generally observe that these young ladies, who know nothing of the world, are quite aware which side their bread is buttered." Julian could have knocked him down, with pleasure, but his friend was quite content to have got the talking into his own hands, and on he went. "Miss Bingley is not overburdened with riches, she has no connections to speak of, and, what is more, she has not the very poor advantages of a home and relations to fall back on. Of course--" "One and all of which facts are so many arguments in her favour; at least I think so," interrupted Julian, in no pleasant tone. "I see your are quite prepared to espouse her cause, if not herself," retorted Colonel Kennedy, and he laughed long and loudly at this clever pun. “No, no, Julian, you must do better than a mere Miss Bingley; your wife has been decided on for many years, and, upon my soul, Lady—” "Yes!" interrupted Julian, scornfully, "the manufacturer's son of course requires a little borrowed consequence to build up his dignity; Mrs. Julian Murray per se would be nobody." "I should just like the head of the house to hear you," laughed the wily Colonel. "Mrs. Murray, you mean," was the answer; "well, I could not desire anything better than the opportunity of speaking my mind, if only for once, on this very subject," said Julian, and he was more than half in earnest. There "You can have your wish, for here comes the lady, and the fair damsel in her train." was just the shadow of a sneer in the gallant colonel's tone. "If I thought it would do any good-" began Julian, " yet no," added he, " I had better leave well alone, as my uncle is apt to say;" he did not finish his sentence, for Mrs. Murray was rolling down the lawn, she could hardly be said to make progress walking, and he paused to watch her. "I hate to see any creature put upon, and least of all a woman," concluded he. 66 Particularly if she is a pretty one," added Colonel Kennedy, resolved to have the last word. CHAPTER X. "My first husband left me young, And pretty enough, so please you, and rich enough, I'm a mere woman." 99 AURORA LEIGH. "I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul." Comus. HE French have a saying that "days follow, but do not resemble each other," and certainly the last six weeks of Maud Bingley's life differed sufficiently from the preceding years of her quiet, monotonous existence. She was gradually becoming inured to the change, learning to make the best of ills she felt were inevitable, and to discover the good which mingles even in the darkest lot; and, what was yet more to be admired, to find a species of happiness, if in |