en the three
had marched solemnly abreast down the road for some few minutes, the
curate, perhaps with an intuition of fellow-feeling, perceiving how the
matter was, stopped short and said good-bye. "I will make inquiries, and
let you know next time I pass the cottage," said Mr Wentworth; and he
and the doctor took off their hats, not without deadly thoughts on one
side at least. When the young clergyman left them, Nettie and her sulky
cavalier went on in silence. That intrepid little woman was not in her
usual spirits, it appeared. She had no talk for Dr Edward any more than
he had for her. She carried a multiplicity of little parcels in her
hands, and walked with a certain air of fatigue. The doctor walked on,
stealing silent looks at her, till his heart melted. But the melting of
his heart displayed itself characteristically. He would not come down
from his elevation without suffering her to see how angry he was.

"I fear I interrupted an interesting conversation--I that have so little
hope of equalling Mr Wentworth. Priests are always infallible with women,"
said the doctor, betraying his ill-temper in vulgar sneers.

"I was asking him for some one to teach the boys," said Nettie. "Johnnie
ought to have his education attended to now. Mr Wentworth is very
good-tempered, Dr Edward. Though he was just going to knock at Miss
Wodehouse's door when I met him, he offered, and would have done it if
you had not come up, to walk home with me. Not that I wanted anybody to
walk home with me; but it was very kind," said Nettie, with rising
spirit.

"I am afraid I am a very poor substitute for Mr Wentworth," said the
jealous doctor, "and I don't pretend to be kind. But I am surprised to
find Miss Underwood walking so late. This is not a road for a lady by
herself."

"You know I don't mind in the least for the road," said Nettie, with a
little indignation. "How wonderfully cross you are sometimes! If you are
going as far as the Cottage," she added, with a little sigh of fatigue,
"will you please carry some of these things for me! I could not get out
sooner, I have been so busy to-day. It is wonderful how much needlework
it takes to keep three children going, and how many little jobs there
are to do. If you take this parcel, carry it carefully, please: it is
something for my bonnet. There! Don't be absurd. I am quite able to walk
by myself, thank you--I'd rather, please!"

This remonstrance was called forth by the fact that th