I told you that Dorothea was in the house, but that he had gone away to take leave of various friends, because, after the wedding, they were to sail almost immediately, and so,--I must make short work with this, because I hate it to that degree.

There was the great snowstorm, as you know, and when he did not come home we thought he must be blocked up somewhere, and then we were afraid he was very ill.

At last when still it snowed, and still he did not come, Giles went in search of him, and it was not till the very day before the wedding that he got back, having found out the whole detestable thing.
"Poor Val! and we used to think him such a dear fellow.

Of course I cannot help being fond of him still, but, Laura, he has disgracefully attached himself to another girl; he could not bear to come home and be married, and he knew St.George would be in such a rage that he did not dare to tell." "Young scamp!" exclaimed Amelia; "such a tall, handsome fellow to, who would have believed it of him ?" "Well, Laura dear, when I saw St.George come in, I was so frightened that I fainted.

Dorothea was quite calm--quite still--she had been so all the time.