A MERE CHANCE.
A NOVEL.
BY
ADA CAMBRIDGE,
AUTHOR OF "IN TWO YEARS TIME," &c.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,
Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1882.
Right of Translation Reserved.
CONTENTS OF THE THIRD VOLUME.
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I. | A Parable | 1 |
| II. | "When Yule is Cold." | 17 |
| III. | A Discovery | 40 |
| IV. | "To Meet Mr. and Mrs. Kingston." | 58 |
| V. | A Crisis | 95 |
| VI. | Mrs. Reade meets her Match | 113 |
| VII. | Good-bye | 131 |
| VIII. | Consolation | 166 |
| IX. | Reparation | 189 |
| X. | Fulfilment | 209 |
| XI. | Conclusion | 230 |
A MERE CHANCE.
[1]
CHAPTER I.
A PARABLE.
IT was about a month after theforegoing conversation tookplace, that Melbourne societywas fluttered by a rumour that theengagement between Mr. Kingston andMiss Fetherstonhaugh, which had beenunaccountably broken off, was "on"again, and that the long-delayed weddingwas to take place immediately. Rumour[2]for once in the way, was perfectlycorrect.
People went to call at Toorak, andfound the aunt serene and radiant, andthe bride-elect wearing all the honoursof her position—not shyly as of yore,but with a quiet candour and dignifiedself-possession that was not generally consideredbecoming under the circumstances.
It was thought that a little humilitywould be proper in a young person whowas going to enjoy such altogether undeservedgood fortune.
It happened while she was staying atSouth Yarra. How it happened nobodyquite knew.