st be a very healthy fish. Oh, here's your brother
coming across the garden. I wish he had not come just yet; I had
a--no matter, perhaps you 'd permit me to have a few words with you
to-morrow?"

"To-morrow, or whenever you like, Sir Marcus; but pray forgive me if I
run away now to ask my brother if our visitors have come."

"They 'll be here to-morrow evening, Ju," said George, as she rushed to
meet him. "Is that Guff's phaeton I see at the gate?"

"Yes; the tiresome creature has been here the last hour. I 'll not go
back to him. You must take your share now."

By the time L'Estrange entered the room, Sir Marcus had replaced his
respirator, and enveloped himself in two of his overcoats and a fur boa.
"Oh, here you are," said he, speaking with much difficulty. "I can't
talk now; it brings on the cough. Come over in the evening, and I 'll
tell you about it."

"About what, pray?" asked the other, curtly.

"There 's no use being angry. It only hurries the respiration, and
chokes the pulmonary vessels. They won't give a sixpence--not one of
them. They say that you don't preach St. Paul--that you think too much
about works. I don't know what they don't say; but come over about
seven."

"Do you mean that the subscribers have withdrawn from the church?"

Sir Marcus had not breath for further discussion, but made a gesture of
assent with his head.

L'Estrange sank down on a chair overpowered, nor did he speak to, or
notice, the other as he withdrew.

"Are you ill, dearest George?" said Julia, as she saw her brother pale
and motionless on the chair. "Are you ill?"

"They've all withdrawn from the church, Julia. Guff says they are
dissatisfied with me, and will contribute no longer."

"I don't believe it's so bad as he says. I 'm sure it's not.
They cannot be displeased with you, George. It's some mere passing
misconception. You know how they 're given to these little bickerings
and squabbles; but they have ever been kind and friendly to you."

"You always give me courage, Ju; and even when I have little heart for
it, I like it."

"Come in to dinner now, George; and if I don't make you laugh, it's
a wonder to me. I have had such a scene with Sir Marcus as might have
graced a comedy."

It was not an easy task to rally her brother back to good spirits, but
she did succeed at last "And now," said she, as she saw him looking once
more at ease and cheerful, "what news of the Bramleighs--are they ever
to come?"