believe that Mervyn will be more
susceptible of real repentance when he has imperceptibly been led to
different habits and ways of thinking. In many cases, I have seen that
the mind has to clear itself, and leave old things behind before it has
the capacity of perceiving its errors.'

'Repentance must precede amendment.'

'_Some_ repentance must, but even the sense of the inexpedience and
inconvenience of evil habits may be the first step above them, and in
time the power of genuine repentance may be attained.'

'Still, glad as I am for all your sakes, I cannot understand it on
Cecily's part, or how a girl of her tone of mind can marry where there
can as yet be no communion of the highest kind. You would be sorry to
see Phoebe do so.'

'Very sorry. It is no example, but there may be claims from the mere
length of the attachment, which seems to mark her as the appointed
instrument for his good. Besides, she has not fully accepted him; and
after such change as he has made, she might not have been justified in
denying all encouragement.'

'She did not seek such justification,' said Honor laughing, but surprised
to find Robert thus lenient in his brother's case, after having acted so
stern a part in his own.

CHAPTER XXVI

Then Robin Hood took them both by the hands,
And danced about the oak tree,
For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be.--_Old Ballad_

The case of the three sisters remained a difficulty. The Bannermans
professed to have 'washed their hands of them,' their advice not being
taken, and Mr. Crabbe could not think himself justified in letting them
return to the protection that had so egregiously failed. Bertha was
fretted by the uncertainty, and became nervous, and annoyed with Phoebe
for not showing more distress--but going on from day to day in the
confidence that matters would arrange themselves.

Phoebe, who had come of age during her foreign tour, had a long
conference with her guardian when he put her property into her hands.
The result was that she obtained his permission to inhabit with her
sisters the Underwood, a sort of dowager-house belonging to Beauchamp,
provided some elderly lady could be found to chaperon them--Miss
Fennimore, if they preferred her.

Miss Fennimore was greatly touched with the earnestness of the united
entreaties of her pupils, and though regretting the field of usefulness
in which she had begun to work,