‘I daresay Mr. Treverton will manage to exist without Edward’s good opinion.’
‘He thinks there is something so utterly mysterious in his conduct—something insulting to you in the fact of his holding himself aloof so long, and then coming back at the last moment, just in time to secure the estate!’
‘I am the best judge of Mr. Treverton’s conduct,’ answered Laura, deeply wounded. ‘If I can trust him other people may spare themselves the trouble of speculating upon his motives.’
‘And you can trust him?’ asked Celia, anxiously.
‘With all my heart and soul.’
‘Then have a proper wedding gown,’ exclaimed Celia, as if the whole question of bliss or woe were involved in that one detail.
When next Miss Malcolm met Edward Clare there was a coolness in her greeting which the young man could not mistake.
‘What have I done to offend you, Laura?’ he asked, piteously.
‘I am offended with everyone who doubts the honour of my future husband,’ she answered.
‘I’m sorry for that,’ he said, gloomily. ‘A man cannot help his thoughts.’