and say that they were
indestructible and would last as long as she did. She greeted Mr. Juxon
cordially.

"How do you, Mr. Juxon--were you going to see us? I was just going for a
walk--perhaps you will come with me?"

Mr. Juxon turned back and prepared to accompany her.

"Such good news this morning, from John Short," she said. "He has
finished his examinations, and it seems almost certain that he will be
senior classic. His tutor at Trinity has written already to congratulate
my husband upon his success."

"I am sure, I am delighted, too," said the squire, who had regained his
composure but kept his hold on Stamboul's collar. "He deserves all he
gets, and more too," he continued. "I think he will be a remarkable man."

"I did not think you liked him so very much," said Mrs. Ambrose rather
doubtfully, as she walked slowly by his side.

"Oh--I liked him very much. Indeed, I was going to ask him to stay with
me for a few days at the Hall."

The inspiration was spontaneous. Mr. Juxon was in a frame of mind in
which he felt that he ought to do something pleasant for somebody, to set
off against the bloodthirsty designs which had passed through his mind in
the morning. He knew that if he had not been over friendly to John, it
had been John's own fault; but since he had found out that it was
impossible to marry Mrs. Goddard, he had forgiven the young scholar his
shortcomings and felt very charitably inclined towards him. It suddenly
struck him that it would give John great pleasure to stop at the Hall for
a few days, and that it would be no inconvenience to himself. The effect
upon Mrs. Ambrose was greater even than he had expected. She was
hospitable, good and kind, but she was also economical, as she had need
to be. The squire was rich. If the squire would put up John during a part
of his visit it would be a kindness to John himself, and an economy to
the vicarage. Mr. Ambrose himself would not have gone to such a length;
but then, as his wife said to herself in self-defence, Augustin did not
pay the butcher's bills, and did not know how the money went. She did not
say that Augustin was precisely what is called reckless, but he of course
did not understand economy as she did. How should he, poor man, with all
his sermons and his funerals and other occupations to take his mind off?
Mrs. Ambrose was delighted at the squire's proposal.

"Really!" she exclaimed. "That would be too good of you, Mr. Juxon. And
you do n