"No woman ever is to a man," interrupted Lady Marchmont: "your solitary education has led you to form ethereal fancies that can never be realised. It is impossible to be a more affectionate, or a kinder husband, than Mr. Courtenaye."
"He is too kind," replied Constance, mournfully; "he feels that he has to make up to me for the heart which I have not. I am punished for having worshipped too entirely an earthly idol: it has not been given to me to make that happiness which I would purchase, ah! how gladly, at the expense of my own! But he loves me not, and he loves another. Why he married me, I know not."
Lady Marchmont thought that Lord Norbourne's wealth was a too sufficient reason; but, for worlds, she would not have said so, and Constance continued:—
"Some might think that the riches of the heiress bought the hand, though it could not buy the heart; but it was not that which made me the wife of Norbourne Courtenaye. I have known him from a boy, generous and
