g you a lesson; and now you teach
me one, and that is, how much easier it is to preach reconciliation and
charity than it is to practice it under certain circumstances. However,
my advice to you is first to pray to God for wisdom in this thing, and
then to watch every opportunity. Dissuade your parents from every
unkind act: don't be afraid to speak--with the word of God at your
back. I know that you have no easy task before you. Sir Charles Bassett
and Mr. Bassett were both among my hearers, and both turned their backs
on me, and went away unsoftened; they would not give me a chance; would
not hear me to an end, and I am not a wordy preacher neither."

Here an interruption occurred. Ruperta, so shy and cold with Compton,
flung her arms round Mrs. Marsh's neck, with the tears in her eyes, and
kissed her eagerly.

"Yes, my dear," said Mrs. Marsh, after kissing her in turn, "I _was_ a
little mortified. But that was very weak and foolish. I am sorry, for
their own sakes, they would not stay; it was the word of God: but they
saw only the unworthy instrument. Well, then, my dears, you _have_ a
hard task; but you must work upon your mothers, and win them to
charity."

"Ah! that will be easy enough. My mother has never approved this
unhappy quarrel."

"No more has mine."

"Is it so? Then you must try and get the two ladies to speak to each
other. But something tells me that a way will be opened. Have patience;
have faith; and do not mind a check or two; but persevere, remembering
that 'blessed are the peace-makers.'"

She then rose, and they took leave of her.

"Give me a kiss, children," said she. "You have done me a world of
good. My own heart often flags on the road, and you have warmed and
comforted it. God bless you!"

And so they parted.

Compton and Ruperta walked homeward. Ruperta was very thoughtful, and
Compton could only get monosyllables out of her. This discouraged, and
at last vexed him.

"What have I done," said he, "that you will speak to anybody but me?"

"Don't be cross, child," said she; "but answer me a question. Did you
put your tippet round me in that wood?"

"I suppose so."

"Oh, then you don't remember doing it, eh?"

"No; that I don't."

"Then what makes you think you did?"

"Because they say so. Because I must have been such an awful cad if I
didn't. And I was always much fonder of you than you were of me. My
tippet! I'd give my head sooner than any harm should come to you,
Rupe