he end of this very disagreeable anecdote.

"It is clear," said she, "that Edward is the person who wants lecturing.
We must bid him not ride very fast on dark nights, on roads that he
does not know. But I have a high opinion of this horse of his. One of
the two is prudent; and that is a great comfort. And, for the present,
there is the consolation that there are no mill-dams in the way to the
almshouses, and that it is broad daylight. So let us go on with our
duet,--or shall we begin again?"

Hester played through the duet, and then sighed over a new
apprehension--that some of those old invalids would certainly be taking
Mr Hope away from home on the two mornings when their neighbours were
to pay the wedding visit. "And what shall we do then?" she inquired.

"We shall see when the time comes," replied Margaret. "Meanwhile we are
sure of one good thing,--that Edward will not be called away from the
dinner-table to-day by the almshouse people. Come! let us play this
over once more, that it may be ready for Mr Grey in the evening."

Sooner than he was looked for--sooner than it was supposed possible that
he could have come--Edward appeared.

"Safe!" cried he, laughing: "what should prevent my being safe? What
sort of a soldier's or sailor's wife would you have made?" he asked,
looking in Hester's happy face.

"She would be crazed with every gale, and die at `rumours of wars,'"
said Margaret: "mill-dams are horror enough for her--and, to say the
truth, brother, for other people, too, while you ride as you do."

"That was an accident which cannot recur," observed Hope. "I am sorry
Mr Marsh's man mentioned it. But Hester--."

"I see what you would say," sighed Hester; "your mention of soldiers'
and sailors' wives reminds me. I have no faith, I know: and I thought I
should when--. Oh, I wonder how those old crusaders' wives endured
their lives! But, perhaps, seven years' suspense was easier to bear
than seven hours'."

Hester joined in the laugh at this speech, and Edward went to see his
patients in a place where there was really no danger--in the
waiting-room. Yet Hester was a little ruffled when the Greys appeared.
So many messages had arrived for Edward, that the country gentleman and
his daughter had been kept waiting, and a livery servant had called
twice, as if impatient. She was afraid that people would blame Edward--
that he would never manage to satisfy them all. Her colour was raised,
and h