y Bannerman was scandalized at her presumption and Miss
Charlecote's weakness. Honor and Phoebe both watched the greeting
between her and Robert, but could infer nothing, either from it or from
their deportment at dinner, both were so entirely unembarrassed and easy.
Afterwards Robert sought out Phoebe, and beguiled her into the window
where his affairs had so often been canvassed.

'Phoebe,' he said, 'I must do what I fear will distress you, and I want
to prepare you.'

Was it coming? But how could he have guessed that she had rather not?

'I feel deeply your present homeless condition. I wish earnestly that I
could make a home for you. But, Phoebe, once you told me you were
content to be sacrificed to my foremost duty--'

'I am,' she said.

'Well, then, I love this smoky old black wife of mine, and don't want to
leave her even for my sisters.'

'I never thought of your leaving her for your sisters, but--' and as
Lucilla's music effectually veiled all words--'I had thought that there
might be other considerations.' Her eyes spoke the rest.

'I thought you knew that folly had passed away,' he said, somewhat
sternly. 'I trust that no one else has thought of it!' and he indicated
Miss Charlecote.

'Not when the offer was made to you, but since she heard of my mission.'

'Then I am glad that on other grounds my mind was made up. No,' after a
pause, 'there is a great change. She is far superior to what she was in
the days of my madness, but it is over, and never could be renewed. She
herself does not desire it.'

Phoebe was called to the piano, not sorry that such should be Robert's
conviction, and glad that he should not be disturbed in work that suited
him so well as did St. Matthew's, but thinking him far too valuable for
Lucy not to suffer in losing her power over him.

And did she?

She was alone in the cedar parlour with Honor the next day, when the note
was brought in announcing his refusal on the ground that while he found
his strength and health equal to the calls of his present cure, and his
connection with the Fulmort firm gave him unusual facilities in dealing
with the workmen, he did not think he ought to resign his charge for
another for which many better men might be found.

'Quite right; I knew it,' said Lucilla, when Honor had with some attempt
at preparation shown her the note.

'How could you know it?'

'Because I saw a man in his vocation.'

A long silence, during which Cilly