g of her as "poor little Lucy," that he was much offended by
the unnecessary commiseration.

"The sisters will naturally remain together," he said; "and, of
course, there are many people who would be but too glad to receive
them. Miss Wodehouse is old enough to protect her sister--though, of
course, the balance of character is on the other side," said the
inconsiderate young man; at which Mr Proctor winced, but made no
definite reply.

"So you think there are people she could go to?" said the late Rector,
after a pause. "The thing altogether is so unexpected, you know. My
idea was--"

"I beg your pardon," said the Curate; "I must see Mr Brown, and this
is about the best time to find him at home. Circumstances make it
rather awkward for me to call at the Rectory just now," he continued,
with a smile smile--"circumstances over which I have no control, as
people say; but perhaps you will stay long enough to see me put on my
trial. Good-bye now."

"Stop a moment," said Mr Proctor; "about this trial. Don't be
affronted--I have nothing to do with it, you know; and Morgan means
very well, though he's stupid enough. I should like to stand your
friend, Wentworth; you know I would. I wish you'd yield to tell me all
about it. If I were to call on you to-night after dinner--for perhaps
it would put Mrs Hadwin out to give me a chop?"

The Curate laughed in spite of himself. "Fellows of All-Souls don't
dine on chops," he said, unable to repress a gleam of amusement; "but
come at six, and you shall have something to eat, as good as I can
give you. As for telling you all about it," said Mr Wentworth, "all
the world is welcome to know as much as I know."

Mr Proctor laid his hand on the young man's arm, by way of soothing
him. "We'll talk it all over," he said, confidentially; "both this
affair, and--and the other. We have a good deal in common, if I am not
much mistaken, and I trust we shall always be good friends," said the
inexplicable man. His complexion heightened considerably after he had
made this speech, which conveyed nothing but amazement to the mind of
the Curate; and then he shook hands hastily, and hurried back again
towards Grange Lane. If there had been either room or leisure in Frank
Wentworth's mind for other thoughts, he might have laughed or puzzled
over the palpable mystery; but as it was, he had dismissed the late
Rector entirely from his mind before he reached the door of Mr Brown's
room, where the lawyer w