CHAPTER XII.

　　PREPARING FOR THE WEDDING.

　　Illustrationeanwhile the love-affairs between the middle-aged couple were prospering well, after a fashion; after the fashion that they liked best, although it might probably have appeared dull and prosaic to younger people. Lord Cumnor had come down in great glee at the news he had heard from his wife at the Towers. He, too, seemed to think he had taken an active part in bringing about the match by only speaking about it. His first words on the subject to Lady Cumnor were,—

　　"I told you so. Now didn't I say what a good, suitable thing this affair between Gibson and Clare would be!...