COLLECTION OF BRITISH AUTHORS TAUCHNITZ EDITION. VOL. 1340. STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS BY M. E. BRADDON. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS. BOOK THE SECOND. (CONTINUED.) CHAPTER V. "Et je songeais comme la femme oublie, MR. FORDE had come up from Scotland on the tenth of July, intending to surprise Elizabeth by his unexpected appearance in Eaton-place. He had fancied her bright look of rapture as she came into the room and saw him, after having been told only that a gentleman from Hawleigh wished to see her-the look she had given him so many times during the brief happy fortnight that followed their betrothal; those happy days in which they had enjoyed for but too short a space the privileges of plighted lovers, had walked alone together on the dull March afternoon, when the Curate's labours allowed him such a blessed interval, and had talked of the future they were to share-a lowly destiny, but with the light of true love shining upon it. Thus had he thought of his betrothed during the tedious journey from the North, tedious though he travelled express for the greater part of the way. He came fresh from the performance of a mournful duty, for only |