intelligence, and was not to be trifled with--"As long as he has female
relations," said Jack, in his most feeling tone. "Men never sympathise
with men." He seemed to be apologising for Frank's indifference, as well
as for his own sins. He had just had a very good dinner--for the Miss
Wentworths' cook was the best in Carlingford--and Jack, whose digestion
was perfect, was disposed to please everybody, and had, in particular,
no disposition to quarrel with Frank.

"Oh, my dear, you see how humble and forgiving he is," said Miss Dora,
rising on tiptoe to whisper into the Curate's ear; "and always takes
your part whenever you are mentioned," said the injudicious aunt.
Meantime the other sisters were very silent, sitting each in the midst
of her own group of shadows. Then Miss Leonora rose with a sudden
rustling of all her draperies, and with her own energetic hand rang
the bell.

"Now the lamp is coming," said Jack, in a tone of despair, "a bright,
blank, pitiless globe like the world; and instead of this delicious
darkness, where one can see nothing distinctly, my heart will be torn
asunder for the rest of the evening by the sight of suicide. Why do we
ever have lights?" said the exquisite, laying himself down softly on
a sofa. When the lamp was brought in, Jack became visible stretched
out in an attitude of perfect repose and tranquillity, with a quiet
conscience written in every fold of his scrupulous apparel. As for
Frank, on the contrary, he was still in morning dress, and was biting
his nails, and had a cloud upon his brow which the sudden light
disclosed like a traitor before he was prepared for it. Between the
two brothers such a contrast was visible that it was not surprising if
Miss Dora, still wavering in her allegiance, went back with relief to
the calm countenance of her penitent, and owned to herself with
trembling that the Curate looked preoccupied and guilty. Perhaps Miss
Leonora came to a similar conclusion. She seated herself at her
writing-table with her usual air of business, and made a pen to a hard
point by the light of the candles, which were sacred to her particular
use.

"I heard some news this morning which pleased me very much," said Miss
Leonora. "I daresay you remember Julia Trench? You two used to be a
great deal together at one time. She is going to be married to Mr
Shirley's excellent curate, who is a young man of the highest
character. He did very well at the university, I believe," sai