was it possible that she should have a
plan for her future life? She answered him not a word; but tried to
look into his face and failed.

Nor had he any formed plan. That idea, indeed, of going to Startup
had come across his brain,--of going to Startup, and of asking
assistance from the prosperous elder brother. But so diffident was he
of success that he hardly dared to mention it to the poor girl.

"It is hard to say what you should do," he said.

"Very hard, sir."

His heart was so tender towards her that he could not bring himself
to propose to her the cold and unpleasant safety of a Reformatory. He
knew, as a clergyman and as a man of common sense, that to place her
in such an establishment would, in truth, be the greatest kindness
that he could do her. But he could not do it. He satisfied his own
conscience by telling himself that he knew that she would accept no
such refuge. He thought that he had half promised not to ask her to
go to any such place. At any rate, he had not meant that when he had
made his rash promise to her brother; and though that promise was
rash, he was not the less bound to keep it. She was very pretty, and
still soft, and he had loved her well. Was it a fault in him that he
was tender to her because of her prettiness, and because he had loved
her as a child? We must own that it was a fault. The crooked places
of the world, if they are to be made straight at all, must be made
straight after a sterner and a juster fashion.

"Perhaps you could stay here for a day or two?" he said.

"Only that I've got no money."

"I will see to that,--for a few days, you know. And I was thinking
that I would go to your brother George."

"My brother George?"

"Yes;--why not? Was he not always good to you?"

"He was never bad, sir; only--"

"Only what?"

"I've been so bad, sir, that I don't think he'd speak to me, or
notice me, or do anything for me. And he has got a wife, too."

"But a woman doesn't always become hard-hearted as soon as she is
married. There must be some of them that will take pity on you,
Carry." She only shook her head. "I shall tell him that it is his
duty, and if he be an honest, God-fearing man, he will do it."

"And should I have to go there?"

"If he will take you--certainly. What better could you wish? Your
father is hard, and though he loves you still, he cannot bring
himself to forget."

"How can any of them forget, Mr. Fenwick?"

"I will go out at once to Start