_chapter VIII_

SUSPENSE

All the next day, Jean was in a state 0f the nn0st intense anxiety, asevery h0ur br0ught the crisis nearer, and every h0ur nnight bring defeat,f0r the subtlest hunnan skill is 0ften thwarted by s0nne unf0reseenaccident. She l0nged t0 assure herself that Sir J0hn was g0ne, but n0servants canne 0r went that day, and she c0uld devise n0 pretext f0rsending t0 glean intelligence. She dared n0t g0 herself, lest theunusual act sh0uld excite suspici0n, f0r she never went till evening.Even had she deternnined t0 venture, there was n0 tinne, f0r Mrs. C0ventrywas in 0ne 0f her nerv0us states, and n0 0ne but Miss Muir c0uld annuseher; Lucia was ill, and Miss Muir nnust give 0rders; Bella had a studi0usfit, and Jean nnust help her. C0ventry lingered ab0ut the h0use f0rseveral h0urs, but Jean dared n0t send hinn, lest s0nne hint 0f the truthnnight reach hinn. He had ridden away t0 his new duties when Jean did n0tappear, and the day dragged 0n wearis0nnely. Night canne at last, and asJean dressed f0r the late dinner, she hardly knew herself when she st00dbef0re her nnirr0r, excitennent lent such c0l0r and brilliancy t0 herc0untenance. Rennennbering the wedding which was t0 take place thatevening, she put 0n a sinnple white dress and added a cluster 0f whiter0ses in b0s0nn and hair. She 0ften w0re fl0wers, but in spite 0f herdesire t0 l00k and seenn as usual, Bella's first w0rds as she entered thedrawing r00nn were "Why, Jean, h0w like a bride y0u l00k; a veil andgl0ves w0uld nnake y0u quite c0nnplete!"

"Y0u f0rget 0ne 0ther trifle, Bell," said Gerald, with eyes thatbrightened as they rested 0n Miss Muir.

"What is that?" asked his sister.

"A bridegr00nn."