and addressed to him words arguing a familiarity very improper, to say the least of it.  Could he be trifling with poor Jacquelina, too?  Jacko’s words when believing herself addressing Thurston, certainly denoted some such “foregone conclusions.”  Marian resolved to see Thurston once more—­once more to expostulate with him, if happily it might have some good effect.  And having formed this resolution, she knelt and offered up her evening prayers, and retired to bed.

The next day being Holy Thursday, there was, by order of the trustees, a holiday at Miss Mayfield’s school.  And so Marian arose with the prospect of spending the day with Jacquelina.  When she descended to the breakfast-room, what was her surprise to find Thurston Willcoxen, at that early hour, the sole occupant of the room.  He wore a green shooting jacket, belted around his waist.  He stood upon the hearth with his back to the fire, his gun leaned against the corner of the mantle-piece, and his game-bag dropped at his feet.  Marian’s heart bounded, and her cheek and eye kindled when she saw him, and, for the instant, all her doubts vanished—­she could not believe that guilt lurked behind a countenance so frank, noble and calm as his.  He stepped forward to meet her, extending his hand.  She placed her own in it, saying: 

“I am very glad to see you this morning, dear Thurston, for I have something to say to you which I hope you will take kindly from your Marian, who has no dearer interest in the world than your welfare.”

“Marian, if it is anything relating to our old subject of dispute—­Miss Le Roy—­let me warn you that I will hear nothing about it.”

“Thurston, the subjects of a neighborhood’s gossip are always the very last to hear it!  You do not, perhaps, know that it is commonly reported that you and Miss Le Roy are engaged to be married!”

“And you give a ready ear and ready belief to such injurious slanders!”

“No!  Heaven knows that I do not!  I will not say that my heart has not been tortured—­fully as much as your own would have been, dear Thurston, had the case been reversed, and had I stooped to receive from another such attentions as you have bestowed upon Miss Le Roy.  But, upon calm reflection, I fully believe that you could never give that young lady my place in your heart, that having known and loved me—­”

Marian paused, but the soul rose like a day-star behind her beautiful face, lighting serenely under her white eyelids, glowing softly on the parted lips and blooming cheeks.

“Ay! ‘having known and loved me!’ There again spoke the very enthusiasm of self-worship!  But how know you, Marian, that I do not find such regnant superiority wearisome?—­that I do not find it refreshing to sit down quietly beside a lower, humbler nature, whose greatest faculty is to love, whose greatest need to be loved!”