th some going to dinner, and others to supper, I imagine," replied
Philip, stepping to the window. "From what I see, that seems likely to
be the upshot; for here is Sir William Hunter talking to the people. I
had rather he should do it than Hope; and, Margaret, I had rather set my
mischievous sister to do it than either. This uproar is all of her
making, I am afraid."

"Hester has been telling Mr Rowland so, this morning."

"I am glad of it. He must help me to work upon her fears, if there is
nothing better left to operate upon."

"You will not succeed," said Margaret. "Your sister is as strong a
heroine in one direction as mine is in another."

"She shall yield, however. She may be thankful that she is not here
to-day. If she was, I would have her out upon the steps, and make her
retract everything; and if she should not be able to speak, I would
stand by her and say it for her."

"Oh, Philip! what a horrible idea!"

"Not half so horrible as the mischief she has done. Why, Margaret, if
you were one-tenth part as guilty as Priscilla is, I should require you
to make reparation."

"Indeed, I hope you would: or rather, that--"

"But do not let us conjure up such dreadful images, my Margaret. You
never wronged any one, and you never will."

"Edward never did, I am sure," said Margaret.

"Not even by poisoning children, nor cutting off limbs for sport? Are
you quite sure, love? What is Sir William doing here, with only his
groom? He and the people look in high good-humour with each other, with
all this shaking of hands, and nodding and laughing. I cannot conceive
what he can be saying to them, for there are not three faces among the
whole array that look as if they belonged to rational creatures."

"Never mind," said Margaret. "If what he says sends them away, I care
for nothing else about it."

"Oh, but I do. One would like to be favoured with a specimen of this
kind of rural oratory. I ought to benefit by all the oratory that comes
in my way, you know: so I shall just open the window an inch or two, now
he is drawing hitherward, and take a lesson."

It seemed as if Sir William Hunter desired that his powers of persuasion
should be expended on none but the immediate objects of them: for
whatever he said was spoken as he bent from his horse, and with the air
of a mystery. Many a plump red face was thrust close up to his--many a
pair of round staring eyes was puckered up with mirth as he spoke: