ver troubled those
translucent eyes: patience sat there, patience and reflection; emotion
waited its turn. One could not doubt her capabilities of feeling; but,
in spite of her four-and-twenty years, the depths of her heart had never
yet been stirred. She had lived a somewhat restricted life, and there
was yet very much for her to experience and to learn. Who would be her
teacher? For Lettice was not the woman to go ignorant of life's fullest
bliss and deepest sorrow to the grave.

She looked particularly slender and youthful as she stood that day at
the hall window when Sydney's telegram arrived. She had a double reason
for keeping guard in the hall and glancing nervously down the
carriage-drive that led from the main road to the rectory front.
Half-an-hour before, a hard-featured man had swaggered up the avenue,
fired off a volley of defiance on the knocker, and demanded to see Mr.
Campion.

"What do you want?" said Lettice, who had opened the door and stood
boldly facing him.

"I want to see the parson. At once, miss, if you please."

"Perhaps I can do what is necessary, if you will tell me what your
business is. You cannot see my father."

"Oh," said the man, with a little more respect. "You are his daughter,
are you? Well, if you can do the needful I am sure I have no objection.
Three hundred and twenty pound seventeen-and-six"--here he took out a
stamped paper and showed it to Lettice. "That's the figure, miss, and if
you'll oblige with coin--cheques and promises being equally
inconvenient--I don't mind waiting five minutes to accommodate a lady."

"We have not the money in the house," answered Lettice, who had been
reading the formidable document, without quite understanding what it
meant.

"Ah, that's a pity," said the man. "But I didn't expect it, so I ain't
disappointed."

"It shall be sent to you. I will see that you have it--within a week
from this date--only go away now, for my father is unwell."

"Very sorry, miss, but I can't go without the money. This business won't
wait any longer. The coin or the sticks--those are my orders, and that's
my notion of what is fair and right."

"The sticks?" said Lettice faintly.

"The goods--the furniture. This paper is a bill of sale, and as the
reverend gentleman doesn't find it convenient to pay, why, of course, my
principal is bound to realize the security. Now, miss, am I to see the
gentleman, or am I not?"

"Oh no," said Lettice, "it is useless."