m worse, and I aggravated your difficulties
by insulting him.'

'He insulted you,' said Phoebe. 'When I think of those words I don't
know how I can stay with him.'

'They fell short! They were nothing,' said Robert. 'But it was the more
unbefitting in me to frame my warning as I did. Oh, Phoebe, your prayers
and influence have done much for me. Help me now to treat my brother so
as not to disgrace my calling.'

'You--when you freely forgive all the injuries he has done you!'

'If I freely forgave, I suppose I should love;' and he murmured sadly,
'He that hateth his brother is a murderer.'

Phoebe shrank, but could not help thinking that if the spirit of Cain
existed among them, it was not with the younger brother.

When she next spoke, it was to express her fear lest Miss Fennimore
should refuse to remain, since the position would be uncomfortable. Her
talent was thrown away on poor Maria, and Bertha had been very vexing and
provoking of late. Phoebe greatly dreaded a change, both from her love
for her governess, and alarm lest a new duenna might be yet more
unwelcome to Mervyn, and she was disappointed to see that Robert caught
at the hope that the whole scheme might be baffled on this score.

Phoebe thought a repetition of the dinner-table offence would be best
obviated by taking her place as tea-maker at once. Mervyn first came
down, and greeted her like something especially his own. He detected the
red blistered spot on her cheek, and exclaimed, 'Eh! did they make you
cry? Never mind; the house will soon be clear of them, and you my little
queen. You have nothing to say against it. Has any one been putting
things in your head?' and he looked fiercely at his brother.

'No, Mervyn; Robert and I both think you very kind, and that it is the
right thing.'

'Yes,' said Robert, 'no arrangement could be more proper. I am sorry,
Mervyn, if my manner was offensive last night.'

'I never take offence, it is not my way,' said Mervyn, indifferently,
almost annoyed that his brother had not spirit to persevere in the
quarrel.

After the breakfast, where the elder sisters were cold and distant, and
Sir Bevil as friendly as he durst, Mervyn's first move was to go, in
conjunction with Mr. Crabbe, to explain the arrangement to Miss
Fennimore, and request her to continue her services. They came away
surprised and angry: Miss Fennimore would 'consider of it.' Even when
Mervyn, to spare himself from 'some stra