nonsense. I used to be courageous, and not a coward. I used to feel sure that everything would turn out for the best; and now I keep thinking that something must happen to come between us. Shall I never be brave again?'

You will be brave again,' he said, the very moment that any occasion comes to call on you for courage.'

'We will go away from England for a while-don't you think?' she said hesitatingly.

He gently assured her that they should go to any part of the world she chose to name, and stay there as long as she wished.

'I feel,' she said, 'as if I should like some soft place with sweet warm air and a sky without winds; and a life not so eager as our English life; and where there were not many people that we knew. I should like to go somewhere on the other side of mountains-don't you understand?—I don't know how to explain it in any other words. Somewhere on the other side of blue mountains.'

He understood what she meant. He too began to long to be away anywhere with her, they two alone.

When he left her that evening he wandered for long hours, following the river's course, aimlessly, full of his happiness and his love. He often thus rambled away when he had left her one evening and was not to see her until the next. The spirit of unrest seemed to master him when she was not near.

39

CHAPTER III.

WHAT PEOPLE SAID.

MAJOR LEVEN and his wife had finished breakfast one morning and were alone when Gabrielle Vanthorpe came to see them. She did not often visit them at such an hour; indeed, she had not for some days visited them at all. Mrs. Leven had of late begun to find that somehow or other the old relationships were not renewing themselves. She welcomed Gabrielle's visit

now as a good omen.

'I do hope, dearest Gabrielle,' she said effusively, 'that you have come to tell us you have changed your mind, and that you will go with us.'

The Levens were going to the Pyrenees almost immediately. Major Leven was anxious to get away anywhere out of town until Paulina should cease to be a heroine.

'Do come with us, Gabrielle,' he said cheerily; the trip would do you ever so much good. Don't be afraid of our accusing you of fickleness, because you have changed your mind.'

'I wish we could prevail upon you to change it as to another matter too, my Gabrielle,' Mrs. Leven said significantly. I saw poor Sir Wilberforce yesterday; he looks quite depressed.'

'I haven't changed my mind about the Pyrenees; I can't go,' Gabrielle said. 'But I wanted to talk to you about something else-no, not about Sir Wilberforce.'

At that moment a card was brought to Major Leven, who looked up with some surprise after reading the name and some words written on it.

'Remember the Scottish proverb, Gabrielle,' he said, if it is not Bran it is Bran's brother. Here is Bran's brother-I mean Sir Wilberforce's brother-wants to speak with me about something very particular. Don't go until I come back, Gabrielle, my dear; I dare say he will not remain very long.'

Major Leven hastened away to see Bran's brother.

I wonder what he can want with George,' Mrs.

Leven said; 'I don't like that young man; and I don't

think he much likes us.'

6

I can tell you what he has to say to Major Leven,' Gabrielle said quietly. It is just what I have come to say to you, Mrs. Leven.' She answered a deprecatory gesture at the use of the cold words 'Mrs. Leven' by saying quickly: Better hear my story first, and then tell me what to call you. Mr. Fielding and I have the same story to tell; and we came at the same time to tell it.'

Mrs. Leven knew it all now. She turned pale, and her lips trembled.

'Mr. Fielding and I have found out,' Gabrielle went on, growing more and more composed and mistress of herself now that the worst was over, that we are very much attached to each other; and we are going to be married. I came to tell you that, Mrs. Leven. I know you won't like it; but I know too that I am doing right. I love him very much, and I think I can make him happy.'

'I never thought to hear you utter such words— never!'

'Nor I,' said Gabrielle.