"I know not how more than a dozen people knew of anything, Joanna. But

many ill-natured words will be spoken, doubtless. Even Janet Semple came

here yesterday, thinking over Katherine to exult a little. But Katherine

is a great deal beyond her to-day. And perhaps a countess she may yet

be. That is what her husband said to thy father."

"I knew not that he spoke to my father about Katherine."

"Thou knows not all things. Before thou wert married to Batavius, before

Neil Semple nearly murdered him, he asked of thy father her hand. Thou

wast born on thy wedding day, I think. All things that happened before

it have from thy memory passed away."

"Well, I am a good wife, I know that. That also is what Batavius says.

Just before I got to the gate, I met Madam Semple and Gertrude Van

Gaasbeeck; they had been shopping together."

"Did they speak of Katherine?"

"Indeed they did."

"Or did you speak first, Joanna? It is an evil bird that pulls to pieces

its own nest."

"O mother, scolded I cannot be for Katherine's folly! My Batavius always

said, 'The favourite is Katherine.' Always he thought that of me too

much was expected. And Madam Semple said--and always she liked

Katherine--that very badly had she behaved for a whole year, and that

the end was what everybody had looked for. It is on me very hard,--I who

have always been modest, and taken care of my good name. Nobody in the

whole city will have one kind word to say for Katherine. You will see

that it is so, mother."

"You will see something very different, Joanna. Many will praise

Katherine, for she to herself has done well. And, when back she comes,

at the governor's she will visit, and with all the great ladies; and not

one among them will be so lovely as Katherine Hyde."

And, if Joanna had been in Madam Semple's parlour a few hours later, she

would have had a most decided illustration of Lysbet's faith in the

popular verdict. Madam was sitting at her tea-table talking to the

elder, who had brought home with him the full supplement to Joanna's

story. Both were really sorry for their old friends, although there is

something in the best kind of human nature that indorses the punishment

of those things in which old friends differ from us.

Neil had heard nothing. He had been shut up in his office all day over

an important suit; and, when he took the street again, he was weary, and

far from being inclined to join any acquaintances in conversation. In

fact, the absorbing topic was one which no one cared to introduce in

Neil's presence; and he himself was too full of professional matters to

notice that he attracted more than usual attention from the young men

standing around the store-doors, and the officers lounging in front of

the 'King's Arms' tavern.




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