1/9 CHAPTER II. LESLIE had returned from her visit to the rectory to her own home, and Evelyn had now been some weeks at Mrs.Merton's. As was natural, she had grown in some measure reconciled and resigned to her change of abode. In fact, no sooner did she pass Mrs.Merton's threshold, than, for the first time, she was made aware of her consequence in life. The second son of a very wealthy baronet (who was the first commoner of his county) and of the daughter of a rich and highly-descended peer, Mr.Merton had been brought near enough to rank and power to appreciate all their advantages. |