'Nothing! I have nothing to do with the men-servants, and as to the
village, it is very sober. There's only one public house, and that is
kept by Uncle William's old butler, and is as orderly as can be.'

'Ah! that's the way you all deceive yourselves. Moderate drinkers are
ten times more mischievous than regular drunkards.'

'Thank you, Gerard! And outrageous abstainers are more mischievous
than either of them, because they make the whole thing so utterly
foolish and absurd.' She was really angry now, and so was Gerard.

'Is that your ultimatum?' he asked, in a voice that he strove to render
calm.

'Certainly; I'm not going to take the pledge.'

Having quarrelled in childhood, made quarrelling now easier, and Gerard
answered bitterly:

'Very well, I hope you will have no cause to repent it.'

''Tis not the way to make me repent it, to see how it seems to affect
some people's common sense. It is just as if all your brains had run
to water!' said Nuttie, laughing a little; but Gerard was desperately
serious, and coloured vehemently.

'Very well, Miss Egremont, I understand. I have had my answer,' he
said, gathering up his papers and marching out of the room.

She stood still, offended, and not in the least inclined to run after
him and take back her words. He, poor fellow, stumbled down the steps,
and held by the garden rail to collect his senses and compose himself.

'What's the matter, Gerard, are you ill or giddy?' asked Miss Nugent,
coming up in the winter twilight.

'No, oh no! Only the dream of my life is over,' he answered, scarce
knowing what he said.

'You haven't--' cried Mary aghast.

'Oh no,' he said, understanding the blank, 'only she won't take the
pledge!'

'I don't see how she could or ought,' responded Mary. 'Is that all?'

'I had made it the test,' muttered poor Gerard. 'It is right! It is
all over now. I shall know how to go on my way. It is best so--I know
it is--only I did not know whether anything was due to her.' It was
almost a sob.

'Dear old Gerard,' said Mary, 'I see you meant to do right. It is well
your mind should be settled. I think you'll find comfort in your good
work.'

He wrung her hand, and she went in, half amused, for she was fully
aware of the one-sidedness of the mania for temperance under which he
acted, yet honouring his high, pure motives, and rejoicing that he had
found this indirect mode of gauging Nuttie's feelings towards him--that
is,