I can wait, but I won't be deceived.' Louise pondered for a long time, turning now to this part of the letter, now to that.

And the lines of her face, though they made no approach to smiling, indicated agreeable thoughts.

Tears had left just sufficient trace to give her meditations a semblance of unwonted seriousness.
About midday she went up to her room and wrote letters.

The first was to Miss Cissy Higgins:--'Dear Ciss,--I dare say you would like to know that Mr.B.has proposed to me.

If you have any objection, please let me know it by return .-- Affectionately yours, L.E.
DERRICK.' This she addressed to Margate, and stamped with a little thump of the fist.