CHAPTER V.

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FALSE.

HE express from Paris reached Bayonne in the afternoon; and Honor, leaving her luggage to be forwarded by the omnibus, walked to Anglet.

She thought she should enjoy the walk, after the confinement of the railway-carriage; but she found herself not so strong as she used to be.

The trying time in Lady Tracy's sick-room had weakened her a good deal, and she felt very tired before she had gone half-way, and extremely glad when she entered the garden gate.

She knew that her mother was to return from Cambo the week before, and that Conny too would be at home; but she was somewhat surprised to meet Charlie at the gate, as she thought his summer holidays must have ended.

Mrs. Blake had not written for the last ten

days.

You here, Charlie?' said his sister, kissing him.

'Yes; I persuaded mamma to let me stay to see you, and to go as far as Bordeaux with her and Conny.'

'I am so glad you have come, Honor,' said Conny warmly; 'I was afraid you might be detained at the last.'

Honor was so much pleased by her sister's unusual show of affection, she did not stop to ask what Charlie meant; besides, Emmy was hanging round her with kisses, and there were her mother and Newton to greet her, and Pauline smiling welcome behind. It was very pleasant to be at home again, she thought.

'We have waited tea for you,' said Mrs. Blake; 'let Emmy take your bonnet.'

Any letters for me, Pauline?' asked Honor. 'Yes, Mademoiselle; two.'

She gave them to her, and Honor opened one. It was from Miss Morris, saying that she had, at Honor's request, renewed her tuitions for the first week or two after the holidays, but

was ready to hand over Honor's pupils to their own teacher as soon as the latter should arrive.

She said she felt so grateful to Miss Blake, who had made for her 'a connexion' at Bayonne. She had a goodly set of pupils waiting for herself, when Honor's return should set her free to attend on them.

Honor read most of this letter at the teatable, to which her family had drawn her; the other letter she had concealed till she could be alone to read it. The address was in his writing; how well she knew it!

She had, ever since the train reached Bayonne, been unconsciously watching for him. She thought he would have found means to know she was coming, though, having written twice without reply, she could not write again. He 'was not ill; for Edith said in a letter received two days ago, 'My cousin still hovers about the Pyrenees, preferring it to any other place; he is to return to Brazil soon.'

Every figure in the distance as she walked home had made her heart beat; but now she had the next best thing—a letter. It was too precious to open hurriedly. She sat down to tea.

'We have news for you, Honor,' said Mrs. Blake; Conny is going to be married.'

'Ain't it jolly?' said Charlie, his mouth full of bread and jam. 'I wish I could go to England for the wedding.'

'Yes,' said Conny; 'I am really, Honor. Mamma and I are going to England directly for the ceremony. His mother is not strong, and dreads a long journey, and she very much wishes to be present, so we are going to England. That is why I wanted you to come home.'

Honor did not feel quite so much flattered as before at her sister's warm greeting.

Conny went on: Besides, there is another reason, Honor. I had to get some more money from mamma while I was at Pau, Honor, and now she says she has none left. Her quarter is not due for a month, and Phil's remittance not till Christmas, and you see your pupils' money has not come in lately.'

'I had that all in advance,' said Honor. 'Lady Tracy gave me really more than I should have got before the holidays.'

'Well, I suppose it is all spent,' replied

Conny, so that does not much matter; only we must get some more somehow, for be married without a trousseau I won't.'

My dear girl!' remonstrated her mother; 'think of what you told me yourself.—Mr. Bertram has offered to give her everything, Honor.' 'Who?' came from Honor's lips with a sort

of cry.

'Mr. Bertram. Of course I mean Mr. Spencer Bertram. Did we not tell you it is he to whom Conny is engaged? He met her at Pau. Strange, was it not, when we knew him so well? I used at one time to think he was taken with you, Honor. Well, he has behaved most handsomely, and wishes to give Conny her trousseau and outfit himself.'

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'And I won't have it, mamma,' cried Conny. 'I have told you so a dozen times. I will have a proper trousseau from my own home, or I won't marry him at all! The outfit for Brazil is another matter. After we are married he may give me anything he likes; but I will not have his mother and sisters telling everybody my wedding-dress was paid for by him! You will get me the money, will you not, Honor?'