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occupied； and she never thought of wishing herself elsewhere。
The new church and the expected return of her sisters engrossed many
more of her thoughts than did anything relating to Glenbracken。
She could not bear to talk of Flora； though almost as uneasy as was
Margaret； and not able to lay aside misgivings； lest even her good
simple Mary might have had her head turned by gaiety。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Rivers arrived on the Saturday before the Tuesday fixed
for the consecration； and stopped on their way； that they might see
Margaret； deposit Mary； and resume Meta。
It was a short visit； and all that Ethel could discover was； that
Flora was looking very ill； no longer able to conceal the worn and
fagged expression of her countenance； and evidently dreadfully
shocked by the sight of the havoc made by disease on Margaret's
frame。 Yet she talked with composure of indifferent subjectsthe
yacht； the visits； the Bucephalus； the church； and the arrangements
for St。 Andrew's Day。 She owned herself overworked； and in need of
rest； and； as she was not well enough to venture on being present at
the consecration； she undertook to spend the day with Margaret； thus
setting the others at liberty。 This settled； she took her leave； for
the journey had fatigued her greatly。
During the short visit； Mary had moved and spoken so quietly； and
looked so well…dressed and young…lady…like； that； in spite of her
comfortable plump cheeks； Ethel felt quite afraid！
But the instant the carriage had driven off； there was a skipping； a
hugging； a screaming； 〃Oh； it is so nice to be at home again！〃and
Ethel knew she had her own Mary。 It was only a much better looking
and more mannerly Mary； in the full bloom of seventeen； open and
honest…faced； her profuse light hair prettily disposed； her hands and
arms more civilised； and her powers of conversation and self…
possession developed。 Mary…like were her caresses of Gertrude； Mary…
like her inquiries for Cocksmoor； Mary…like her insisting on bringing
her boxes into Margaret's room； her exulting exhibition of all the
pretty things that Flora and George had given to her； and the still
more joyous bestowal of presents upon everybody。
Her tastes were not a whit altered； nor her simplicity diminished。
If she was pleased by joining a large dinner…party； her satisfaction
was in the amusement of seeing well…dressed people； and a grand
table； her knowledge of the world only reached to pronouncing
everything unlike home； 〃so funny；〃 she had relished most freshly and
innocently every pleasure that she could understand； she had learned
every variety of fancy work to teach Blanche and Miss Bracy； had been
the delight of every schoolroom and nursery； had struck up numberless
eternal friendships； and correspondences with girls younger and shyer
than herself； and her chief vexations seemed to have been first； that
Flora insisted on her being called Miss May； secondly； that all her
delights could not be shared by every one at home； and thirdly； that
poor Flora could not bear to look at little children。
Grievous complaints were preferred by the dwellers in the attics the
next morning； that Mary and Blanche had talked to an unmentionable
hour of the night； but； on the whole； Blanche was rather doubtful
whether Mary had made the most of her opportunities of observation。
CHAPTER XXV。
Behold； with pearls they glittering stand；
Thy peaceful gates to all expand；
By grace and strength divinely shed；
Each mortal thither may be led；
Who； kindled by Christ's love； will dare
All earthly sufferings now to bear。
By many a salutary stroke；
By many a weary blow； that broke；
Or polished； with a workman's skill；
The stones that form that glorious pile；
They all are fitly framed to lie
In their appointed place on high。
Ancient Hymn for the Dedication of a Church。
The thirtieth of November dawned with the grave brightness of an
autumn day； as the sun slowly mounted from the golden east； drinking
up the mists that rose tardily； leaving the grass thickly bedewed。
The bells of Stoneborough Minster were ringing gladsome peals； and
the sunshine had newly touched the lime trees； whose last bright
yellow leaves were gently floating down； as the carriage； from the
Grange； drew up at Dr。 May's door。
Norman opened it； to claim Meta at once for the walk； Mrs。 Arnott and
Mary had gone on to assist Richard in his final arrangements； but
even before Cocksmoor； with Ethel； was now the care of Margaret； and
she had waited with her father to keep all bustle from her room； and
to commit her into the charge of Flora and of nurse。 Ethel seemed
quite unwilling to go。 There was that strange oppressed feeling on
her as if the attainment of her wishes were joy too great to be real…
…as if she would fain hold off from it at the climax； and linger with
the sister who had shared all with her； and to whom that church was
even more than to herself。 She came back； and back again； with fresh
injunctions； sometimes forgetting the very purpose of her return； as
if it had been only an excuse for looking at Margaret's countenance；
and drinking in her sympathy from her face； but she was to go in
George's carriage； and he was not a man to allow of loitering。 He
became so impatient of Ethel's delays； that she perceived that he
could bear them no longer； gave her final kiss； and whispered； 〃In
spirit with us！〃 then ran down and was seized on by George； who had
already packed in the children and Miss Bracy； and was whirled away。
〃Flora dear；〃 said Margaret； 〃do you dislike having the window
opened？〃
Flora threw it up； protesting； in reply to her sister's scruples；
that she liked the air。 〃You always spoiled me；〃 said Margaret
fondly。 〃Come and lie down by me。 It is very nice to have you
here；〃 she added； as Flora complied； and she took her hand and
fondled it； 〃It is like the old times to have you here taking care of
me。〃
〃Very unlike them in some ways；〃 said Flora。
〃It has been a great renewal of still older times；〃 said Margaret；
〃to have Aunt Flora here。 I hope you will get to know her； Flora；
it is so like having mamma here；〃 and she looked in her sister's face
as she spoke。
Flora did not reply； but she lay quite still； as if there were a
charm in the perfect rest of being alone with Margaret； making no
effort； and being able to be silent。 Time passed on； how long they
knew not； but； suddenly； a thrill shot through Margaret's frame； she
raised her hand and lifted her head； with an eager 〃Hark！〃
Flora could hear nothing。
〃The bellshis bells！〃 said Margaret； all one radiant look of
listening； as Flora opened the window further； and the breeze wafted
in the chime； softened by distance。 The carnation tinted those thin
white cheeks； eyes and smile beamed with joy； and uplifted finger and
parted lips seemed marking every note of the cadence。
It ceased。 〃Alan！ Alan！〃 said she。 〃It is enough！ I am ready！〃
The somewhat alarmed look on Flora's face recalled her； and； smiling；
she held out her hands for the consecration books； saying； 〃Let us
follow the service。 It will be best for us both。〃
Slowly； softly； an