again; "it was, humanly
speaking, life and salvation to a poor weak boy who was on the brink of
despair; who was so desperate, with trouble and misery, that he might
have fallen deeper and deeper if a Good Samaritan had not passed that
way. He has told me since that the thought of Dinah's unhappiness
almost drove him crazy, and that he could not have answered for
himself. Cedric is a dear lad, but he is not strong."

"He has had his lesson. We all enter our kingdom of manhood through
some tribulation, Miss Templeton."

"Ah, true, but we would gladly spare our belongings such a painful
experience. Mr. Herrick, they are waiting for us at the little gate,
and I have only time to say one thing more. I offered to help Cedric
repay his debt, but he refused. I am glad to say he absolutely refused;
he wishes to do it all himself."

"I think all the more of him," was Malcolm's answer; "a little
self-denial will be good for Cedric. He has already paid the first
instalment. Miss Templeton, in return for your confidence, I will be
quite frank with you: I do not need the money, as far as that goes he
is welcome to every penny, but for Cedric's sake I thought it best to
take it. I hope you will understand this."

"I understand you perfectly, and I thank you from my heart for dealing
so wisely with him; but not another word--voices travel far in this
clear silence--and they are just by." Indeed, the next moment a voice
hailed them.

"Hallo, you people," shouted Cedric, "have you been looking for
glowworms or hunting moths? David is quite tired of waiting."

"I am afraid we have dawdled," observed Elizabeth briskly. "Mr. Herrick
and I were deep in conversation. I think we will not come any farther;
I have done my lady's mile, or thereabouts. Good-night, Mr. Carlyon, I
shall be over at the school to-morrow morning--" but here Elizabeth
dropped her voice, and Malcolm heard no more.

She was rather silent when she joined them, and left the conversation
to Cedric. More than once Malcolm wondered what made her so thoughtful;
but when they reached the house, and she bade him good-night in the
hall, there was no coldness or abstraction in her beaming smile.

"If you sleep as well as you deserve--" she said; but he chose to
misunderstand her.

"I should be hag-ridden and tormented, I fear."

"Oh no, you would have rosy visions of celestial bowers," returned
Elizabeth merrily. "Now; Mike," to the little dachshund, "let us make
tra