HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS,
SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN,

13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.

1855.

249.a.373.

THE WIFE'S TRIAL S.

CHAPTER I.

"Courts are unquestionably the seats of good-breeding; and must necessarily be so; otherwise they would be the seats of violence and desolation."

World.

MRS. TEMPLETON, after the conversation with Constance, which had reference to their visit to Grantham, wrote immediately to propose it; in answer to which, a most cordial welcome had been promised; and anxiously did she await the period when the Colonel would set them at liberty.

But, unfortunately, Lord Hurstwood's arrival was delayed; and till he had been received and fêted, they knew there was no

VOL. II.

B

chance of their moving. himself had lately been

Besides, the Colonel strange and moody,

so that even Constance lost her accustomed freedom of manner in his presence; and a violent misunderstanding between him and Cooper, relating to some blunder about felling timber, had in no way tended to make matters more agreeable-and, as if for a climax to these uncertainties, without any previous hint of his intentions, he one day gave notice that he was going to London, where he should probably remain a week.

Under all these adverse circumstances, Mrs. Templeton felt it wrong to keep her brother and his wife, day after day, in a state of suspense, which might perhaps interfere with other plans. She therefore proposed to the girls that the visit should, for this time, be relinquished.

Had Constance spoken with her usual frankness, she would have given a glad assent to this; for the Priory had a daily visitant who rendered it the delectable land to her-but remembering that her original object in proposing the change, had been the benefit which her mother and sister were likely to gain from it, she preferred leaving the decision to them. Helen had, at first, embraced the plan, because it had seemed to please her

mother; as to herself, she was altogether indifferent about place or change-the one who, to her, would have made a paradise in the desert was away, and what cared she more for Grantham than Seabrooke?

Therefore, Mrs. Templeton stated her difficulties, and declined the invitation, though it was with a pang; but she was glad she had so decided, when Lady Grantham wrote to say, that as Cecil had not lately been very well, they should go to the Pyrenees for baths. Henry, his wife, and Cecilia, were, during their absence, to occupy Grantham; but that the latter would like to visit the Priory before settling at home, as she so greatly wished to see them all after her long absence in Italy. Her ladyship concluded with affectionate inquiries after Helen, very strongly advising Mrs. Templeton to let her travel with them, as she was sure change of scene was desirable.

"Oh, dear mamma! I cannot leave you and Constance," exclaimed Helen, in alarm. "I am much better here with you, than anywhere else without you-you are all to me now," she added sadly.

Then, my love, I shall not again mention it-except to thank your aunt for thinking of you."

And, mamma, how glad I shall be to see