CHAPTER XX.
BEARING THE CROSS.
The dead blank that comes after excitement of any kind is very trying to bear.

The dull flow of monotonous life, following the departure of the Scotch baronet, told severely on Kate.

The feverish excitement of that brief second engagement had sustained her, and kindled a brighter fire in her blue eyes, and a hot glow on her pale cheeks.

But in the stagnant quiet that succeeded, the light grew dim, the roses faded, and the old lassitude and weariness returned.

She had not even the absorbing task of playing amateur Sister of Charity, for the fever was almost gone, and there was no more left for her to do.
There was no scandal or _eclat_ this time about the broken-off marriage, for it had been kept very secret--only in the kitchen-cabinet there were endless surmisings and wonderings.
The wedding garments made for the second time for Miss Danton were for the second time put quietly away.
Father Francis, in all his visits to Danton Hall, never made the slightest allusion to the event that had taken place.