n of security; the sight of Mr. Shubrick's upright, alert figure
anywhere was good for courage and hope. His resolute, calm face was a
light in the house. Dolly's thoughts were much busied with him and with
involuntary speculations about him and Christina. It was almost
unavoidable. She thought, as indeed she had thought before, that Miss
Thayer was a happy woman, to have so much strength and goodness
belonging to her. What a shielded life hers would be, by this man's
side. He would never neglect her or prefer his interests to hers; he
would never give her cause to be ashamed of him; and here Dolly's lips
sometimes quivered and a hot tear or two forced their way out from
under her eyelids. And how could possibly Christina so play fast and
loose with him, do dishonour to so much goodness, and put off her
consent to his wishes until all grace was gone out of it? Mr. Shubrick
apparently had made up his mind to this treatment and was not cast down
by it; or perhaps would he, so self-reliant as he was, be cast down
utterly by anything?

I think perhaps Dolly thought too much about Mr. Shubrick. It was
difficult to help it. He had brought such a change into her life; he
was doing such a work in the house; he was so very pleasant a companion
at those breakfasts and suppers in the kitchen. For his dinner Mr.
Shubrick persisted in going to the village inn. He said the walk did
him good. He had become in these few days quite as one of themselves.
And now he would go. Mr. Copley was fast getting well, and his nurse
would go. Dolly could not bear to think of it.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

UNDER AN OAK TREE.

More than a week passed, and Mr. Copley was steadily convalescent. He
had not left his room yet, but he needed no longer the steady
attendance of some one bound to minister to his wants. Dolly was
expecting now every day to hear Mr. Shubrick say he must bid them
good-bye; and she took herself a little to task for caring so much
about it. What was Sandie Shubrick to her, that she should feel such a
heart-sinking at the prospect of his departure? It was a very wonderful
thing that he, Christina Thayer's Mr. Shubrick, should have come to
help this little family in its need; it was very astonishing that he
should be there even then, waiting on Dolly Copley's sick father; let
her be satisfied with this so unexpected good, and bid him farewell as
easily as she had bid him welcome. But Dolly could not. How could she?
she said to herse