and might possibly come to
Woodsome on Sunday. It would, therefore, be expedient to let Yanna
return to her own home the next day; and also to find some excuse for
remaining from church on Sabbath morning.

"One little fault breeds another little fault," she thought, "but it
is only for once." And she did not perceive that she had called
disobedience to parents, and premeditated absence from the service of
God, "a little fault"; far less did she calculate what great faults
might obtain tolerance if measured from such a false standard.

However, the hours went by, as apparently happy and innocent as if
there were no contemplated sin beneath them; conversation and music
made interchanging melodies; and again the beautiful moonshine brought
silence, and beaming eyes, and all the sweet and indefinable
interpreters of love. And this night Harry, also, felt some of that
strange sadness which is far more enthralling than laughter, song and
dance, to those who can understand its speech. Rose did not. "How
stupid we all are!" she exclaimed; and Harry glanced down into Yanna's
eyes, and pressed her arm closer to his side, and knew that words were
unnecessary.

In the morning, Mr. Filmer came from town. He was a small, slender
man, with an imperturbable manner, and that mystical type of face
often seen in old portraits: a man whom Adriana rightly judged to be
made up of opposite qualities, his most obvious side being that of
suave, indifferent complaisance. He was exceedingly kind to Adriana,
and spoke with real warmth of feeling about her father. "I count it a
good thing to have come in contact with him," he said, "for I think
better of all men for his sake. It is his religion," he added. "What a
Calvinist he is! We had some talks I never shall forget."

He appeared to take no interest in the household affairs, and Mrs.
Filmer did not trouble him about its details. He was, in fact,
bookishly selfish; his only enquiry being one concerning the library
and some boxes of books which he had sent. If the garden, the stables,
the horses or servants were alluded to, he was miles away; for he had
long ago explained to Mrs. Filmer that these things were not necessary
to his happiness; and that, therefore, if she insisted upon being
troubled with them, she must bear the worries and annoyances they were
sure to bring.

He really lost little by this arrangement; for Mr. Filmer's cleverness
and deep learning was the family superstition.