You could never imagine what a quiet changeless life I have
led."
"Your intellect is so much the clearer for that, I think. It has not been
disturbed by all the narrow petty influences of a life spent in what is
called 'society.'"
Before they left the house, Gilbert and the Captain were obliged to
promise to dine at Heatherly next day, very much to the secret distaste
of the former, who must thus lose an evening with Marian, but who was
ashamed to reveal his hopeless condition by a persistent refusal.
Captain Sedgewick begged John Saltram to choose an early day for dining
at the cottage, and Gilbert gave him a general invitation to Lidford
House.
These matters being settled, they departed, accompanied by Mr. Saltram,
who proposed to walk as far as the wood with them, and who extended his
walk still farther, only leaving them at the gate of the Captain's modest
domain. The conversation was general throughout the way back; and they
all found plenty to talk about, as they loitered slowly on among the
waving shadows of the trees flickering darkly on the winding path by
which they went. Gilbert lingered outside the gate after Marian and her
uncle had gone into the cottage--he was so eager to hear his friend
praise the girl he loved.
"Well, John?" he asked.
"Well, dear old boy, she is all that is beautiful and charming, and I can
only congratulate you upon your choice.
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