I mean, we women who think deeply on our position and our future. He went with us in everything. And now what does he do? He wants to get married! Nothing will do for him but to talk of getting married."

Another grievance, Gabrielle thought. Perhaps in her heart poor Claudia felt too warmly towards this model man; and now he proposes to another! No wonder the poor little maid is rather sore on the subject of marriage.

'I suppose it is the common weakness of humanity, Claudia. You must forgive us all. And this misguided friend of yours-is he married?'

'Oh, no,' Claudia said indignantly, and with a slight flush on her cheek; "he is not indeed.'

'Was he refused-or was he reasoned out of his folly?'

'He was refused; he was refused in the most decisive manner. He will not

again, I venture to think.'

'Poor fellow! I am c

the girl? is it a secret

'I was the girl.'

such a thing

Who was

aim wh

of life and left her. But Claudia's subsequent revelation made things look brighter. The noble young man with the earnest soul will ask again, Gabrielle thought; and Claudia will prove an adoring wife one of these days; and her sisters in the cause will mourn over her fall.

159

CHAPTER X.

PAULINA PUTS HER FOOT IN IT.

AN ominous calmness prevailed for some days in Gabrielle's little world. Nothing was going on, to all appearance, as regarded Paulina and her plot. It was ceasing to be talked about among the people Gabrielle knew. Some had only heard of it in a vague way, and began now to think there was no truth in the story of any such accusation having been made by the odd woman who spoke at public meetings. Clarkson Fielding was seen with Sir Wilberforce almost every day. They rode in the park together, and often paid visits to Lady Honeybell. Sir Wilberforce was very happy. One of the reasons, it will be remembered, why he had long hesitated about asking Gabrielle to marry him was that he feared if she should refuse him he would have to be shut out of her society for a long time, and

he liked her so much that this would have been a

very severe privation to him. Now, however, things had so turned out that he could see her as often as he liked. She was to be his brother's wife; his sister-inlaw. They would always be the closest friends. Sir Wilberforce came gradually to the sound conclusion that this was really better for him than marrying her. He called her 'Gabrielle' already; she called him 'Wilberforce.' He knew she liked him very much; she always told him so. He had, indeed, behaved with the most simple chivalry in the whole affair. He never felt the slightest doubt as to the falsehood of Paulina's story, and he entered at once into the meaning of Gabrielle's resolve to be married before any step was taken to prove it false.

'Quite right, quite right, Gabrielle; just the proper thing to do; she always knows best, Clarkson. It would never do for you and me, Gabrielle, to have it said that we wanted Clarkson to prove anything to satisfy us. No, no; never do. We'll have the marriage first; and then we'll go to work about the proofs and all that. Gad, I only hope that beastly woman won't bolt in the mean while. Shouldn't wonder if she did, you