said, "I have
never sought your brother's visits nor striven to prolong them; but if
he finds pleasure in them after a life of disappointment and trouble, I
cannot refuse nor discourage them."

"I am aware," said Lord Keith, rising as if to go, "that I have
trespassed long on your time, and made a suggestion only warranted by
the generosity with which you have hitherto acted."

"One may be generous of one's own, not of other people's," said Ermine.

He looked at her puzzled, then said, "Perhaps it will be best to speak
categorically, Miss Williams. Let it be distinctly understood that my
brother Colin, in paying his addresses to you, is necessarily without my
sanction or future assistance."

"It might not be necessary, my lord. Good morning;" and her courteous
bow was an absolute dismissal.

But when Alison came home she found her more depressed than she had
allowed herself to be for years, and on asking what was the matter was
answered--

"Pride and perverseness, Ailie!" then, in reply to the eager
exclamation, "I believe he was justified in all he said. But, Ailie, I
have preached to Colin more than I had a right to do about forgiving his
brother. I did not know how provoking he can be. I did not think it was
still in me to fly out as I did!"

"He had no business to come here interfering and tormenting you," said
Alison, hotly.

"I dare say he thought he had! But one could not think of that when it
came to threatening me with his giving no help to Colin if--There was no
resisting telling him how little we cared!"

"You have not offended him so that he will keep Colin away!"

"The more he tried, the more Colin would come! No, I am not sorry for
having offended him. I don't mind him; but Ailie, how little one knows!
All the angry and bitter feelings that I thought burnt out for ever when
I lay waiting for death, are stirred up as hotly as they were long ago.
The old self is here as strong as ever! Ailie, don't tell Colin about
this; but to-morrow is a saint's day, and would you see Mr. Touchett,
and try to arrange for me to go to the early service? I think then I
might better be helped to conquer this."

"But, Ermine, how can you? Eight o'clock, you know."

"Yes, dearest, it will give you a great deal of trouble, but you never
mind that, you know; and I am so much stronger than I used to be, that
you need not fear. Besides, I want help so much! And it is the day Colin
goes away!"

Alison obeyed, as she