She looked anxious and uneasy; she turned her face away on the sofa pillow--turned it suddenly, as if she was in pain.
"Are you not well, mamma ?" asked Magdalen.
"Quite well, my love," said Mrs.Vanstone, shortly and sharply, without turning round.

"Leave me a little--I only want rest." Magdalen went out with her father.
"Papa!" she whispered anxiously, as they descended the stairs; "you don't think Mr.Clare will say No ?" "I can't tell beforehand," answered Mr.Vanstone.

"I hope he will say Yes." "There is no reason why he should say anything else--is there ?" She put the question faintly, while he was getting his hat and stick; and he did not appear to hear her.

Doubting whether she should repeat it or not, she accompanied him as far as the garden, on his way to Mr.
Clare's cottage.

He stopped her on the lawn, and sent her back to the house.
"You have nothing on your head, my dear," he said.