liked to show you
how thoroughly I comprehended things--your home has never been a real
home to you, and though you love each other dearly, you and your mother
are really happier apart. How can two walk together unless they are
agreed?"

"Thank you for saying this," he returned gratefully; "I am sure you
mean what you say."

"Most certainly I do."

"I know it--I am sure of it; you are not one of those people who are
afraid to speak the truth. Forgive me if I seemed put out for a moment,
but something in your manner made me think that you disapproved of the
step I had taken."

"Mr. Herrick, I disapprove--a mere acquaintance who has not even seen
your mother!"

"Ah, it is you who misunderstand now," in a reproachful voice. "Even a
mere acquaintance," dwelling on the word rather pointedly, "can judge
pretty correctly of a man's circumstances. I thought you were saying to
yourself, 'Mr. Herrick must be a selfish sort of man; he is the only
son of a widowed mother, and he has left her roof because her
charitable works bore him to extinction.'"

"No--oh, no!" in a shocked voice. "How can you say such dreadful
things? I shall begin to be afraid of you; and I have never been afraid
of man, woman, or child in my life. Shall I tell you of what I was
really thinking when you turned on me in that crushing manner? I was
thinking of that poor dear girl, and how dull and moped she must be.
Mr. Herrick," rather shyly--Elizabeth never looked more charming or
more irresistible than when she put on this soft, appealing manner--"do
you suppose Miss Sheldon would care to stay with us while you are at
the Crow's Nest. We should so like to have her. You see," her voice
softening still more, "you have done so much for us that we want to
make some return, and it would be such a pleasure."

"You are very kind," he returned, and indeed he was so surprised and
touched by this unexpected speech that he hardly knew how to express
his sense of her thoughtfulness. "It is good of you to think of it, and
nothing would have given Anna greater pleasure, but--"

"You mean she has some other engagement this summer?"

"Yes; it is a great pity. My mother has taken rooms at Whitby for the
middle of next month, and she never goes anywhere without Anna."

"Then it cannot be helped; another time perhaps we shall be more
fortunate." And then, as though she were desirous of changing the
subject, Elizabeth began talking of her own and Dinah's movements,