sighed and frowned, but Olivia, who had plenty of spirit, refused to be depressed. 

 "You took me from such a luxurious home, did you not, Marcus?" she would say, with a genial laugh.  "A hard-working daily governess leads such an enjoyable life, and it was so exhilarating and refreshing to sit in one's lodgings of an evening, with no one to care if one were tired and dull. Yes, dear old boy, of course I was ever so much happier without you and Dot to worry me——"  And, somehow, at these cheering words the harassed frown on Marcus's brow relaxed. 

 Had he been so wrong after all. How could he know that old Slade would prove a rogue and a humbug; it would have been wiser to wait a little, but then human nature is liable to make mistakes, and in spite of it all, they had been so happy. Olive was such a splendid companion, she had brains as well as heart. Yes, he had been a fool, but he knew that under like circumstances many a man would have done the same. 

 He remembered the events that had led to their hasty marriage. Olivia had not long lost her mother, the widow's annuity had died with her, and Olivia, who had only her salary as a daily governess in a large family, had just moved into humbler lodgings. 

 He had gone round with some flowers and a book that he thought would interest her, and as she came forward to greet him, he could see her eyes were red and swollen. 

 "What is it, dear?" he had asked, kindly, and then the poor girl had utterly broken down. 

 "Oh, Marcus, what shall I do?" she said, when her sobs would allow her to speak.  "I cannot bear it; it is all so dull and miserable. I am missing mother and I am so tired, and the children have been so cross all day."  And Olivia, whose nerves were on edge with the strain of grief and worry, looked so pallid and woebegone that Marcus had been filled with consternation. Never had he seen his sweetheart in such distress, and then it was that the suggestion came to him. 

 Why should they both be lonely? Olivia could marry him and do her work as well, and there need be no more dull evenings for either of them. 

 "You will trust me to make you as happy as I can, dearest," he said, tenderly, as he pleaded for an early marriage. And as Olivia listened to him the sad burden seemed lifted from her heart. 

 "Are you quite sure we ought to do this, Marcus?" she had asked, a little dubiously, 

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