saw Philip she should learn all--she
might even find him repentant for having been weak and credulous.
Edward's self-reproach was the most inexplicable mystery of all. In his
brotherly grief he had no doubt exaggerated some slight carelessness of
speech, some deficiency of watchfulness and zeal. Hester must never
know of these sorrowful things that Edward had said. There was
substantial comfort in other of his words. It was true that she was
only wronged. In her former season of wretchedness, it had been far
worse: there was not only disappointment, but humiliation; loss, not
only of hope, but of self-respect. Now, she was innocent of any wrong
towards Philip and herself; and, in this consciousness, any lot must be
supportable. While thus musing, she walked slowly along, sighing away
some of her oppression. Her heart and head throbbed less. Her eye was
caught by the little fish that leaped out of the water after the evening
flies: she stood to watch them. The splash of a water-rat roused her
ear, and she turned to track him across the stream. Then she saw a fine
yellow iris, growing among the flags on the very brink, and she must
have it for Maria. To reach it without a wetting required some skill
and time. She tried this way--she tried that; but the flower was just
out of reach. She went to the next alder-bush for a bough, which
answered her purpose; and she had drawn the tuft of flags towards her,
and laid hold of the iris, when Sydney shouted her name from a distance,
and summoned her to tea.

Maria was seated at the table, amidst the greater proportion of the
party, when Margaret arrived, escorted by Sydney, and followed at a
little distance by Mr Hope. Never had flower been more welcome to
Maria than this iris, offered to her with a smile. Pale as the face
was, and heavy as were the eyes, there was a genuine smile. Maria had
kept a place for Margaret, which she took, though Mrs Grey kept gazing
at her, and assured her that she must sit beside her. Mr Enderby was
not to be seen. Frequent proclamation was made for him; but he did not
appear; and it was settled that if he preferred wood-ranging to good
cheer, he must have his own way.

Tea passed off well enough. Dr Levitt and Mr Hope went over the
subject of the abbey again, for the benefit of the rearward portion of
the company, who had not heard it before. Mr Rowland and the farmer
discussed the bad crops. Sophia spilled her tea, from Mr Wal