r attempts to scale the
stars,' by which remark it will be seen that Dr Graham was not the
atheist Beorminster believed him to be. And here may end his
speculations for the present.

Shortly, Mrs Pendle and Lucy began to pack a vast number of boxes with
garments needful and ornamental, and sufficient in quantity to last them
for at least twelve months. It is true that they intended to remain away
only eight weeks, but the preparations for departure were worthy of the
starting out of a crusade. They must take this; they could certainly not
leave that; warm dresses were needed for possible cold weather; cool
frocks were requisite for probable hot days; they must have smart
dresses as they would no doubt go out a great deal; and three or four
tea-gowns each, as they might stay indoors altogether. In short, their
stock of millinery would have clothed at least half-a-dozen women,
although both ladies protested plaintively that they had absolutely
nothing to wear, and that it would be necessary to go shopping in London
for a few days, if only to make themselves look presentable. Harry
Brace, the thoughtless bachelor, was struck dumb when he saw the immense
quantity of luggage which went off in and on a bus to the railway
station in the charge of a nurse and a lady's-maid.

'Oh, Lord!' said he, aghast, 'are we starting out on an African
expedition, Lucy?'

'Well, I'm sure, Harry, mamma and I are only taking what is absolutely
necessary. Other women would take twice as much.'

'Wait until you and Lucy leave for your honeymoon, Brace,' said the
bishop, with a smile at his prospective son-in-law's long face. 'She
will be one of the other women then.'

'In that case,' said Harry, a trifle grimly, 'Lucy will have to decide
if I am to go as a bridegroom or a luggage agent.'

Of course all Beorminster knew that Mrs Pendle was going to Nauheim for
the treatment; and of course all Beorminster--that is, the feminine
portion of it--came to take tender farewells of the travellers. Every
day up to the moment of departure Mrs Pendle's drawing-room was crowded
with ladies all relating their experiences of English and Continental
travelling. Lucy took leave of at least a dozen dear friends; and from
the way in which Mrs Pendle was lamented over, and blessed, and warned,
and advised by the wives of the inferior clergy, one would have thought
that her destination was the moon, and that she would never get back
again. Altogether the palac