But they were resolute, honorably resolute, in making the sacrifice of their own feelings; and Mr.Vanstone betook himself on the spot to Mr.Clare's cottage .-- You no doubt observed a remarkable change in Mr.Vanstone's manner on that day; and you can now account for it ?" Miss Garth bowed her head, and Mr.Pendril went on.
"You are sufficiently acquainted with Mr.Clare's contempt for all social prejudices," he continued, "to anticipate his reception of the confession which his neighbor addressed to him.

Five minutes after the interview had begun, the two old friends were as easy and unrestrained together as usual.

In the course of conversation, Mr.Vanstone mentioned the pecuniary arrangement which he had made for the benefit of his daughter and of her future husband--and, in doing so, he naturally referred to his will here, on the table between us.

Mr.Clare, remembering that his friend had been married in the March of that year, at once asked when the will had been executed: receiving the reply that it had been made five years since; and, thereupon, astounded Mr.
Vanstone by telling him bluntly that the document was waste paper in the eye of the law.

Up to that moment he, like many other persons, had been absolutely ignorant that a man's marriage is, legally as well as socially, considered to be the most important event in his life; that it destroys the validity of any will which he may have made as a single man; and that it renders absolutely necessary the entire re-assertion of his testamentary intentions in the character of a husband.