has more cause for anger than Dr Fordyce,' he went on, with a touojf of haughtiness that was not unnoticed by the young wife — the doctor's daughter — -the run away bride of the noble son of the Lord Talboyeg. ' The Earl will pot be more displeased than my father/ £Jecil,' she said, with a touch of pride ij> her voice. * I was his all, and be wished! for nothing more than to wed me to the man he loved i as & son. Did he refuse to see — to listen-^-to read my letter, Cecil V 'Oh, -don't be so silly and weak about it all, Alethe !' he exclaimed. *Of course" the old boys will make a fosg »t first, j tut I'll promise you one

thing — and that is, that your father will soon come round if mine does. Ifc will be a proud thing enough for you to be^Lady Cecil Talboyes and a Countess some day. I think I really may claim some consideration and patience, when I have sacrificed so much for you, and may have a great deal of annoyance bepides.' Alethe shrank back on her couch, from which she had started on her husband's entrance. It was the first absolute reproach sho had heard — though more than once a look or a hint had cut her sensitive heart — during the brief octave of married life. ' Cecil,' she said suddenly, as if to divert the source of her own thoughts and avoid any dangerous recrimina tions, *do you know this is New Year Day, and my bhthday ? lam 18 to day.' • Ts it, love V he said mote tenderly. • And 1 have no offering to give save this !' And he kissed her tenderly as he slipped a chain round her neck, with a little cross suspended from its delicate links. 'I thought I had not yet given you : a bridal present ; and now it can 'be a birthday one,' he added, smiling. The girl tried to smile, and thank him, and return his caress. But, somehow, the chain and cross seemed to prick and chafe her delicate skin. 