t. "My proper feeling takes the direction
of my wife," he said.

"You don't really mean to forbid me to go," she exclaimed.

"I don't mean it, for I do so, unless you find some one to go with you."

It was the first real collision that had taken place, but Alick's quiet,
almost languid tone had an absolute determination in it from the very
absence of argument, and Rachel, though extremely annoyed, felt the
uselessness of battling the point. She paused for a few moments, then
said with an effort, "May I take the housekeeper?"

"Yes, certainly," and then he added some advice about taking a brougham,
and thus lightened her heart; so that she presently said humbly,

"Have I been self-willed and overbearing, Alick?"

He laughed. "Not at all; you have persevered just where you ought. I
dare say this is all more essential than shows on the surface. And," he
added, with a shaken voice, "if you were not myself, Rachel, you know
how I should thank you for caring for my poor Bessie's child." He was
gone almost as he spoke the words, but Rachel still felt the kiss and
the hot tears that had fallen on her face.

Mr. Clare readily consented to spare his housekeeper, but the
housekeeper was untoward, she was "busied in her housewife skep,"
and would not stir. Alick was gone to Timber End, and Rachel was just
talking of getting the schoolmaster's wife as an escort, when Mr. Clare
said--

"Pray are you above accepting my services?"

"You! Oh, uncle; thank you, but--"

"What were your orders? Anybody with you, was it not? I flatter myself
that I have some body, at least."

"If Alick will not think I ought not!"

"The boy will not presume to object to what I do with you."

"I do wish it very much," said candid Rachel.

"Of course you do, my dear. Alick is not cured of a young man's notion
that babies are a sort of puppies. He is quite right not to let you run
about London by yourself, but he will be quite satisfied if you find
eyes and I find discretion."

"But is it not very troublesome to you?"

"It is a capital lark!" said Mr. Clare, with a zest that only the slang
word could imply, removing all Rachel's scruples, and in effect Mr.
Clare did enjoy the spice of adventure in a most amusing way. He knew
perfectly well how to manage, laid out the plan of operations, gave
orders to the driver, went into all the shops, and was an effective
assistant in the choice of material and even of embroidery. His touch
and ear seeme