CHAPTER VIII.

DIFFICULTIES.

"The darkest day,

Live till to-morrow, will have passed away.'

"CICELY here! Mrs. Rollestone !

COWPER.

The young

Squire's bride! What does it mean? Why, you are laughing at me, Katharine! I never heard such stuff and nonsense!"

"Aunt," Katharine said, "we had some trouble at the wedding. Mr. Cuthbert had a disagreement with his father and Mr. Whinfield, and he is gone to look at a small farm, where he means to live. Cicely can stay here with us till her own home is ready, can't she?"

Miss Perry was fairly dumb with astonishment now. Her hands seemed powerless to secure the string round the paper cover of the jam-pot, and she stood staring at her niece as if she were in a dream.

"Take her in here!" she exclaimed. "Let her stay here, when no doubt there's some disgrace behind! No, Katharine, I will not receive her-not till the whole matter is cleared up! It is due to my

position, and to yours, to consider the right and wrong of the thing. Young Rollestone was to take his bride to the Manor-the home of his ancestors, the dwelling of gentry. Let him do so now, and then he can hold his head up. What do you say? live in a farm-'a tenant farmer?'-on a level with the Crays, and the Burtons, and No, Katharine, your friendship must be broken off. Your old school-friend is not to behave like this for nothing, let me tell her.”

"But, aunt, Cicely has done nothing wrong; she is not to blame for the wickedness of Mr. Rollestone's father. And it really was shocking to hear him swear, and to see him so furious with drink that he did not know what he said! He fairly drove Mr. Cuthbert to desperation; and we were all so frightened; and Mr. Cuthbert left the house."

"Disgraceful!" exclaimed Miss Perry, with strong emphasis.

"He came back, aunt, and told Cicely what he meant to do. But she is waiting to hear whether she may come. Pray let her do so! I know father would let her come in—I am certain he would."

"Then you must wait for his leave," said Miss Perry, giving her peculiar sniff of determination, and returning to her occupation as if Katharine were not there.

"I shall take Cicely up into my room, then, till father comes back from market, without your leave, as you won't give it."

Miss Perry vouchsafed no reply to this, and Katharine said:

"I shall go and consult Drusilla Allen, and ask her to receive us, if you make any more objections; for where Cicely goes, I go!"

This was indeed a strong measure, and Miss Perry exclaimed ironically :

"And a very proper place indeed for bride and bridesmaid! I hope you'll find room for the bridegroom in the lace-maker's cottage. A choice place for a honeymoon, I declare!"

Katharine was nearly crying with vexation; but she went quickly back to the gig, where the horse was flicking the flies from his back with his short tail, and the old coachman seated, with the pile of his young mistress's boxes at his side, immovable and imperturbable.

Cicely herself was leaning back in her seat, making no sign of impatience at the long delay. And when Katharine came up, with a flushed, excited face, she did not seem to care whether she was to return to the Mill with her or not.

A cheerful "Good-morning to you, ladies," made both the girls start, and looking round, Mr. Newton's well-knit athletic figure was seen coming up the road from Olney.

Katharine sprang forward to meet him. "Oh, sir! I am glad you have come.

heard what has happened?"

Have you

"Yes; I had a visit from my young friend, and

can give you this news of him: that he is to-day consulting a Bedford lawyer about the purchase of Holy Cross Farm, and that he means to settle there as quickly as possible."

"And what had Cicely better do? My auntKatharine hesitated. 'My aunt will not give a welcome to Cicely till my father's return from market; and-"

"Nothing will tempt me to enter Lavendon Mill unwished for," Cicely said, suddenly sitting upright. “Tell me, sir, if there is any place for me in Olney; any inn or lodging?"

"Yes, madam," Mr. Newton said; "there are both, seasoned with a warm welcome, awaiting you at the Vicarage. I will forego my visit to the Mill, as your good father is absent; and if you will allow me, I will find a square inch of room by the driver, and we will return to the town at once."

"But, sir" Cicely hesitated; "but will Mrs. Newton be pleased to see us? Will she not deem it an intrusion ?"

"My dear lady! Mrs. Newton and I run in harness together without any awkward pulling in opposite directions; what I wish, she wishes, and vice versa. I can only desire for you a like harmony in your journey towards the heavenly home, whither your husband's face is steadily set."

"You are very kind and good, sir," Cicely said; "and my husband and I will strive to show our gratitude."

The heavily-laden four-wheel gig, as it rumbled through the wide market-place, brought people to their doors. Drusilla and her lace-makers stopped their busy fingers for a moment, and looked up as the carriage passed.

Mr. Cowper went to his parlour window, and announced to Mrs. Unwin, who was engaged with her housekeeping-book at a little table by the fireplace, that Mr. Newton had caught the runaway bride; and William Wilson, hurrying out to the door, stared after the vehicle with open mouth and eyes. Then he suddenly remembered that Mr. Cowper needed an alteration in his periwig, so he snatched off his apron, and calling to a boy who assisted him in the shop that he was to be found at Mr. Cowper's if wanted, he departed to discuss the news with the poet, and gather information as to the two ladies in the high "four-wheel gig."

The quiet Vicarage seemed a haven of rest to the two girls, and Mrs. Newton was kind and motherly, saying indeed but little, but showing her sympathy by a thousand little acts of kindly attention, and making her welcome evident from the first.

Cicely's boxes were stored in an empty room, and Katharine unpacked one, and took from it what was necessary. She was kneeling by it, and carefully arranging the articles she had left in the trunk, when Mr. Newton came to her.

"Cicely is gone to her room, sir," Katharine said, looking up at him. "I am trying to save the trouble