would be overtaxed by
the exigencies of this case. The expense also, even of three--'

'Expense is no object,' said Miss Crofton.

'But would it not, though I seem to speak against my own interests, be
the wisest, most honourable, and infinitely the least costly course, for
Miss Baddeley openly to inform her suitors, three out of the four at
least, of the actual posture of affairs? I have already suggested that,
as the lady takes the matter so seriously to heart, she should consult
her director, or, if of the Anglican or other Protestant denomination,
her clergyman, who I am sure will agree with me.'

Miss Crofton shook her head. 'Julia is unattached,' she said.

'I had gathered that to one of the four Miss Baddeley was--not
indifferent,' said Merton.

'I meant,' said Miss Crofton severely, 'that Miss Baddeley is a Christian
unattached. My friend is sensitive, passionate, and deeply religious,
but not a member of any recognised denomination. The clergy--'

'They never leave one alone,' said Julia in a musical voice. It was the
first time that she had spoken. 'Besides--' she added, and paused.

'Besides, dear Julia _is_--entangled with a young clergyman whom, almost
in despair, she consulted on her case--at a picnic,' said Miss Crofton,
adding, 'he is prepared to seek a martyr's fate, but he insists that she
must accompany him.'

'How unreasonable!' murmured Merton, who felt that this recalcitrant
clergyman was probably not the favourite out of the field of four.

'That is what _I_ say,' remarked Miss Crofton. 'It is unreasonable to
expect Julia to accompany him when she has so much work to overtake in
the home field. But that is the way with all of them.'

'All of them!' exclaimed Merton. 'Are all the devoted young men under
vows to seek the crown of martyrdom? Does your friend act as recruiting
sergeant, if you will pardon the phrase, for the noble army of martyrs?'

'_Three_ of them have made the most solemn promises.'

'And the fourth?'

'_He_ is not in holy orders.'

'Am I to understand that all the three admirers about whom Miss Baddeley
suffers remorse are clerics?'

'Yes. Julia has a wonderful attraction for the Church,' said Miss
Crofton, 'and that is what causes her difficulties. She _can't_ write to
_them_, or communicate to _them_ in personal interviews (as you advised),
that her heart is no longer--'

'Theirs,' said Merton. 'But why are the clergy more privileged than the
la