"Why it was only Thursday that I was discussing it all with Marcella, and she told me everything was settled." "Thursday!--I dare say!" said Miss Raeburn, stitching away with fiery energy, "but since then a poacher has murdered one of our gamekeepers, which makes all the difference." "What _do_ you mean, Agneta ?" "What I say, my dear.

The poacher was Marcella's friend, and she cannot now distract her mind from him sufficiently to marry Aldous, though every plan he has in the world will be upset by her proceedings.

And as for his election, you may depend upon it she will never ask or know whether he gets in next Monday or no.

That goes without saying.

She is meanwhile absorbed with the poacher's defence, _Mr.Wharton_, of course, conducting it.