r, and he thought her constitution
far too delicate for governess life, positively forbidding her going back
to her situation for another day.

Honor had left the room with him. She found Lucilla with her face hidden
in the sofa cushions, but the next moment met a tremulous half-spasmodic
smile.

'Am I humbled enough?' she said. 'Failed, failed, failed! One by my
flirting, two by my temper, three by my health! I can't get my own
living, and necessity sends me home, without the grace of voluntary
submission.'

'Nay, my child, the very calling it home shows that it need not humble
you to return.'

'It is very odd that I should like it so much!' said Lucy; 'and now,'
turning away as usual from sentiment, 'what shall I say to Mrs. Bostock?
What a wretch she will think me! I must go over and see all those
children once more. I hope I shall have a worthy successor, poor little
rogues. I must rouse myself to write!'

'Not yet, my dear.'

'Not while you can sit and talk. I have so much to hear of at home! I
have never inquired after Mr. Henderson! Not dead?'

'You have not heard? It was a very long, gradual decay. He died on the
12th.'

'Indeed! he was a kind old man, and home will not be itself without his
white head in the reading-desk. Have you filled up the living.'

'I have offered it'--and there was a pause--'to Robert Fulmort.'

'I thought so! He won't have it.'

Honor durst not ask the grounds of this prediction, and the rest of that
family were discussed. It was embarrassing to be asked about the reports
of last winter, and Lucy's keen penetration soon led to full confidence.

'Ah! I was sure that a great flood had passed over that poor child! I
was desperate when I wrote to Phoebe, for it seemed incredible that it
should be either of the others, but I might have trusted her. I wonder
what will become of her. I have not yet seen the man good enough for
her.'

'I have seen one--and so have you--but I could not have spared him to
her, even if she had been in his time.'

Truly Lucilla was taken home when Honor was moved to speak thus.

For her sake Honor had regretted that the return dinner to the
Albury-street household and the brothers was for this day, but she
revived towards evening, and joined the party, looking far less pretty
and piquante, and her dress so quiet as to be only just appropriate, but
still a fair bright object, and fitting so naturally into her old place,
that Lad