Bella was still silent and pale--still had the look of a person whom some sudden shock has benumbed,--but she no longer shut herself up; and as much as their deep mourning would allow, the household returned to their former hospitable, cheerful ways.

Mrs.Bellairs again came frequently to the Cottage.

She saw now, after her absence, a far greater change than she had before realized, in both mother and daughter; and thinking that variety and cheerful society were the best remedies, if not for both, certainly for Lucia, she did all she could to drag the poor girl out, and to force her into the company of those she most longed, but did not dare, to avoid.

There was one comfort; wherever Bella was, no allusion to the murder could be made; but wherever she was not, Lucia constantly heard such sayings as these:-- "Yes, it has been mentioned in the _Times_ even, such a peculiarly horrid thing, you know, poor man." "Just like a savage.

Oh! it's all very well to talk of Indians being civilized, but I am quite convinced they never are, really.