d it is your
place to comfort him. He has done what is right, and it is harder for
him than for you. He needs your help!" But Lilias only sobbed the
louder, making no attempt to give the desired comfort, and Ned said
sadly--

"I ask no more from you at present, Lilias, than a fair judgment. Maud
has given me her sympathy and encouragement, but that seems too much to
hope for from you. Try to believe, if possible, that I was not
indifferent to your interests. Maud would not allow me to say I had
failed because I must suffer temporarily for conscience' sake; she
believes that the day will come when I shall be thankful for this change
in my circumstances. Can't you bring yourself to feel the same; to look
forward to a future when I may meet with success instead of reverse?"

"No, I can't; how can I? It is contrary to reason. You said yourself
that you could never hope to be master again, and situations are so
difficult to find. I've heard father talking, and I know. Sometimes
men have to wait years and years before they find an opening, and then
it's a wretched thing with a salary of two or three hundred a year. And
you have less chance than many, because your own Works didn't pay, and
you have left these people after such a short time. It will count
against you. People will think it is your own fault."

"Lilias!" cried Maud again, and this time her voice trembled with anger,
and her eyes sent out such a flash as her sister had never seen before,
"how dare you! How dare you be so cruel! If it were true a hundred
times over, how could you have the heart to say so to Ned in the midst
of his trouble? For pity's sake, think what you are doing!"

"Don't distress your kind heart, Maud. It is better that I should know
exactly what Lilias has in her mind. She is right in her surmises. The
changes will tell against me in public opinion, and it is quite probable
that I may suffer for them. I would not for one moment deny it, so you
see there is no injustice in the accusation. You are right, Lilias! My
chance of being a rich man is sensibly diminished by this last
misfortune, and it may be years before I can earn even a bare
competency. I have never deceived you about my position, and I shall
not begin now. I knew that my news would be a blow to you, but I could
not have believed that you would receive it as you have, without a word
of kindness or sympathy. Apart from the question of love, I should have