ambition was a bonnet with artificial flowers, that was a different thing.
Then, also, she had been excluded from all share or sympathy in the affair. Steve had given her no confidence, had never, indeed, named Joyce to her. Perhaps he had feared that she would oppose his marriage; but she felt quite sure that if Steve had confessed his love, and asked her to bear with Joyce, and help her to do right, she could have loved her for his sake. But she had only been thought of when the wedding had been arranged, and her presence in the cottage was likely to interfere with the lovers, Steve had always brought his troubles to her for help and consolation, but he had deliberately shut her out from the joy of his love and marriage.
The day before it took place she got a room from Martha Crossley, and moved her box of clothing there. She did not touch the smallest thing that had been used in common, but it was not without a pang she resigned the simple chairs and tables, bought with much self-denial, and endeared to her by the memory of the mother who had shared it. In the savings-bank there was the sum of eleven pounds in their
