it is most painful to say what I think of Mr. Norbourne's conduct: it was too cruel!"
"Do not," interrupted Henrietta, "expect the shadow of an excuse from me. It was the resentment that I felt towards himself that, singularly enough, led to my acquaintance with his wife: and I say it, even to yourself, that if ever there was an angel upon earth, it was Constance Courtenaye."
"What a strange thing it is for affection to change!" said Ethel: "even now I cannot comprehend inconstancy in love."
"I do not think," returned Henrietta, "that there was any inconstancy in the case: we must look to more worldly motives. Constance was a creature that grew upon your love, but no rival to yourself. I take it for granted that the Courtenaye property was involved, and that its heir had no means of freeing himself but by a marriage with his cousin."
"He must have known that before he knew me," said Ethel, coldly.
"I am not," exclaimed Lady Marchmont, "seeking to defend conduct as heartless as it
