Lord Ridsdale received all these thanks with great complacency, feeling that he deserved them.

Lady Ridsdale's impression was: "I am glad they are gone, though I do not like to interfere in Marion's affairs.

I shall certainly advise her to drop that acquaintance as soon as she can." Allan bade Marion "good-bye." His last words to her were: "I shall not seek to correspond with you clandestinely--nothing but the fervor of my love can possibly excuse my having met you as I did.

I loved you, so I forgot prudence, ceremony, etiquette, and all.

But, Marion, you will remember that you are my promised wife." She shrank back at the words.