'My dear child,' said the matron, stroking her hair tenderly as she knelt before her with her head on her mother's lap, 'you could not bore me on such an occasion as this, involving indeed your future happiness as well as that of all related to you. It is not a matter to be treated lightly, whatever the people composing "the smart set' may say.'

'And what do you say, my darling mother?' said Corisande, raising her head, while her eyes shone the more brightly, as the tear-drops fell slowly, when she made her appeal.

'My dear, dear Corisande,' said the elder woman, as she half-rose and drew the sobbing girl more closely to her, you have no reason to be in doubt as to our reply-your father's and mine -to Reginald's offer. We have noticed his attentions. They were open and straightforward. Had we disapproved, we should have returned to Bruges, and so withdrawn from the hazard of an unsuitable marriage. But so far from disapproval, you can tell your Reginald and our new relations that we have no hesitation in giving our unqualified consent. We have had abundant opportunities of knowing the family characteristics, and have come to the conclusion that we like and respect ALL the members of the Banneret family, and have reason to bless the day when we made their acquaintance.'

Lord Hexham was absent in London, having retreated to his club, as he commonly did when there was any function on hand which did not specially demand his attendance.

'I'm getting too old (he wrote) for these lateat-night racketings and standings about. I know where I am at afternoon whist in the Senior United and the Travellers', but I don't dance now, and balls bore me. You and the girls, my Lady, can manage these minor matters a deal better than I can. There's no objection that I can see to Corisande's marriage, if they've made up their minds to tackle the Great Experiment. Who is it says that-Thackeray, or some other fellow? I never was good at quotations. What I mean is, that he is a presentable, steady young fellow, with brains-done well at Cambridge, hasn't he?— good-looking-that is, looks like a gentleman, which is the main thing. The betting's six to four on, with such a good start. He's got the wherewithal-can't do without that. So clap 'em on the back, my Lady-you know what I mean— and tell 'em I'll sign, seal, and deliver when the settlements are ready. Corisande's a good girl; hope she won't go too far away-rough place West Australia-but I daresay they'll fit in. I knew Jerry Taylour, K.C.B.; we were "subs" subs" together in old army days. They tell me he's Governor out there. Daresay he'll ask 'em to dinner. Expect me a day or two before the day. HEXHAM.'

His Lordship, as he freely owned, was not good at letter-writing; but this was much from him, and to the point. It conveyed more than many carefully composed epistles. He meant what he said, and once his word was given never departed from it. Lady Hexham knew he would

arrive punctually. She was wise in not requiring him to stay at Hexham too long at one time. He had never, he said, 'cared much for country life.' He was a man of town habitudes and occupations. At Bruges, of course, he compelled himself to conform to the altered circumstances of the family. And this, to his credit be it spoken, he managed to do, without loss of cash or selfrespect.

However, since the sale of the old Hall and estate, matters had changed wonderfully for the better. With his sons doing well in the Army and Navy, his eldest daughter engaged to a young fellow who was likely to make a figure in the world, and was, moreover, a man of fortune, things were looking up. Why he wanted to go back to Australia, he couldn't understand. Were not England and the Continent good enough for him for any man? Corisande would have to go too, he supposed. Well, she was a good girl; her place, with her ideas, was with her husband. He didn't approve of wives being in one hemisphere and husbands in another. Didn't work well-not in his experience at any rate. Colonies weren't such bad places either-come to think the money came from there; and but for it and the man who made it a gentleman aux bouts des ongles-they would all have been stuck at Bruges for years to come. The Hexham family, at any rate, had no right to grumble.

All in good time the more important function connected with Hexham Hall was concluded to

the satisfaction of all concerned. The settlements were even more liberal than the hereditary family solicitor of the Aylmers had suggested, or than Lady Hexham, who had an unseen but controlling influence in such matters, had hoped for. As for the young people, according to their age and unwisdom they pooh-poohed such trivialities, holding that the love that never shall die

Till the sun grows cold,

And the stars are old,

And the leaves of the Judgment Book unfold

would be amply sufficient in its tenderness and truth to guard their future lives from all 'ills that flesh is heir to,' and more besides. But their elders knew better. So everything was done with due legal form and security: trustees appointed, and all the rest of it.

The wedding came off triumphantly at St. James's, Hanover Square. The day, wonderful to relate, was fine; all the surroundings seemed sympathetic. Two tall, handsome Australian cousins came home by the Moldavia, P. & O., just in time to make up the proper number of bridesmaids who walked up the aisle with the impressive dignity proper to the occasion. Half London was there, of course. Every one wanted to see the bridegroom, erroneously reported to have twenty thousand a year, and to have worked as a digger on the field before he made his pile.' And when Lord Hexham led the Honourable Corisande to the altar, the stately peer and his lovely daughter evoked audible exclamations of approval. Finally,

as amid the melodious crash of the Wedding March,' Reggie Banneret and she walked out as wedded pair, the friends of both families, and even mere acquaintances, seemed infected with that mysterious feminine sympathy which at all weddings finds relief in tears.

THE END

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