to-morrow. Of course, you will do as you like about coming too."
Elizabeth considered the matter.

"If one could only have breathing-time," she murmured; "but to-morrow
gives me so little time. Could you wait until the afternoon, Die?" she
continued, "and then I could go across to Rotherwood and have a talk
with David and his father. You see, dear, I am anxious to be with
Cedric, and to settle you in comfortably, and I should also like to
tell Mr. Herrick the result of my visit to the Manor House." Then Dinah
rather reluctantly consented to put off her journey until the
afternoon. Elizabeth, preoccupied and anxious, hardly realised what the
sacrifice of those few hours was to Dinah, who could literally hardly
sleep or eat for her longing to comfort her darling.

Perhaps Elizabeth's thoughts were engrossed by the recollection of her
conversation with Leah, for she spoke of little else that night; but
just before they separated she asked to read Malcolm's letter again,
and when she laid it down there was the old puzzled look in her eyes.

"Why does he always think of the right thing?" she said slowly. "What
makes him so thoughtful and understanding? He leaves no margin for
other people. This Oxford plan is just splendid. You will be such a
comfort to the poor boy, Die. You will be there waiting and watching
for him, and ready to fuss over him like a mother hen, and the sly old
fox will not be able to get at him;" and she laughed, and bade her
sister good-night. But when she was in her own room the thoughtful look
returned. "He is always so wise and right," she said to herself. "He
has only made one mistake--only one," and her face was very grave; for
no one, not even her chosen lover, knew how the thought of Malcolm
Herrick's patient sorrow oppressed Elizabeth's tender heart.

Dinah had good reason to regret their postponed journey, for they
arrived at Oxford too late to see Cedric that night; but Malcolm was at
the station to receive them, and accompanied them to their lodgings.

"I am glad you made up your mind to come," he said, as they drove from
the station, "for I shall be obliged to go up to town to-morrow, and I
feel happier to leave you in possession. I think Cedric likes the idea
of having you. He is not looking well, but one must expect that; he has
had rather a rough time of it. Oh, I forgot to say that he cannot
possibly be with you until nearly twelve o'clock." Dinah tried not to
give her sister a repro