orne
investigation. When he had resumed his seat and his orange, Miss
Leonora cleared her throat for a grand address.

"Frank might as well tell us he would not have Skelmersdale," she
said. "Julia Trench has quite other prospects, I am glad to say,
though Dora talks like a fool on this subject as well as on many
others. Mr Shirley is not dead yet, and I don't think he means to die,
for my part; and Julia would never leave her uncle. Besides, I don't
think any inducement in the world would make her disguise herself like
a Sister of Mercy. I hope she knows better. And it is a pity that
Frank should learn to think of Skelmersdale as if it were a family
living," continued Miss Leonora. "For my part, I think people
detached from immediate ties as we are, are under all the greater
responsibility. But as you are likely to stay in Carlingford, Frank,
perhaps we could help you with the Rector," she concluded blandly, as
she ate her biscuit. The Curate, who was also a Wentworth, had quite
recovered himself ere this speech was over, and proved himself equal
to the occasion.

"If the Rector objects to what I am doing, I daresay he will tell me
of it," said Mr Wentworth, with indescribable suavity. "I had the
consent of the two former rectors to my mission in their parish, and I
don't mean to give up such a work without a cause. But I am equally
obliged to you, my dear aunt, and I hope Mr Shirley will live for ever.
How long are you going to stay in Carlingford? Some of the people would
like to call on you, if you remain longer. There are some great friends
of mine here; and as I have every prospect of being perpetually the
Curate, as you kindly observe, perhaps it might be good for me if I
was seen to have such unexceptionable relationships--"

"Satire is lost upon me," said Miss Leonora, "and we are going
to-morrow. Here comes the coffee. I did not think it had been so late.
We shall leave by an early train, and you can come and see us off, if
you have time."

"I shall certainly find time," said the nephew, with equal politeness;
"and now you will permit me to say good-night, for I have a--one of my
sick people to visit. I heard he was ill only as I came here, and had
not time to call," added the Curate, with unnecessary explanitoriness,
and took leave of his aunt Cecilia, who softly put something into his
hand as she bade him good-night. Miss Dora, for her part, went with
him to the door, and lingered leaning on his arm, do