He himself had felt that
there was danger in this,--not danger that he should be untrue to
Isabel, but that he should make others think that he was true to
Mabel. But he excused himself on the plea that he and Mabel had
been intimate friends,--were still intimate friends, and that she
was going away in a day or two. Mary, who watched it all, was sure
that misery was being prepared for someone. She was aware that by
this time her father was anxious to welcome Mabel as his daughter-
in-law. She strongly suspected that something had been said
between her father and her brother on the subject. But then she
had Isabel Boncassen's direct assurance that Silverbridge was
engaged to her! Now when Isabel's back was turned, Silverbridge
and Mabel were always together.
On the Thursday after lunch they were again together. It had
become so much a habit that the walk repeated itself without an
effort. It had been part of Mabel's scheme that it should be so.
During all this morning she had been thinking of her scheme. It
was all hopeless. So much she had declared to herself.
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