down," returned David
approvingly. "Why on earth need he scruple to accept your hospitality!
Somehow I always liked Herrick, though I am not so sure that he
returned the compliment; perhaps under the circumstances one could
hardly expect it."

Elizabeth's face grew hot--the subject was a painful one to her. "Never
mind about Mr. Herrick, dear," she said hurriedly; "Dinah and he are
great friends."

"You need not tell me that," in rather a meaning tone; "Dinah has
excellent taste. Dearest," his voice changing to seriousness, "I want
you to give Herrick a message from me. Tell him I should like to shake
hands with him when he goes to the vicarage."

"Do you really want me to say this to him?" and there was little doubt
from Elizabeth's face that she was reluctant to give the message. But
David meant to have his way.

"Yes, tell him," he repeated. "He and Cedric are sure to walk over in
the morning--the vicar and Herrick are such cronies; and why should he
pass my door?" And this seemed so plausible that Elizabeth said no
more; but as she walked home she wondered more than once over this
strange fancy on David's part. There had been so little intercourse
between the two young men--a secret sense of antagonism on Malcolm
Herrick's part had been an obstacle to David's proffered friendliness.
It was true that Mr. Herrick must pass the White Cottage on his way to
the vicarage, and even without the message his good feeling would
probably have induced him to stop and inquire after the invalid, but
she felt David's request would surprise him. Nevertheless, she must do
his will and give the message.

Elizabeth was later than usual that evening, and she found that Malcolm
had just arrived, and was talking to Dinah in the drawing-room. He was
standing before the fire warming himself after his cold drive, and as
Elizabeth entered he broke off in the middle of a sentence and silently
shook hands with her. Elizabeth felt at once conscious that his manner
was even more constrained and guarded than usual, and this made her
nervous, and for the moment she could find nothing to say. It was a
relief to them both when Dinah observed in her quiet, matter-of-fact
way--

"Mr. Herrick is so kind and obliging, Betty; he has promised not to
leave us until quite late to-morrow afternoon--that will give us plenty
of time for a nice talk. You see, Cedric will be with us this evening,
and we may find it difficult to get rid of him, and there i