had long been awaiting her, and presently brought her back from the
silent watch by Owen's side that had hitherto seemed to be rest and
comfort to all the three.

Owen had begged that his cup might be sent up by his friend, on whom he
was very dependent, and it was agreed that Mr. Randolf should sleep in
his room, and remain as a guest at Woolstone-lane until Mr. Currie should
come to town. Indeed, Miss Charlecote relied on him for giving the
physician an account of the illness which Owen, at his best, could not
himself describe; and she cordially thanked him for his evidently devoted
attendance, going over every particular with him, but still so completely
absorbed in her patient as to regard him in no light but as an appendage
necessary to her boy.

'How did you get on with the backwoodsman, Phoebe?' asked Lucilla, when
she came down to tea.

'I think he is a sterling character,' said Phoebe, in a tone of grave,
deep thought, not quite as if answering the question, and with an
observable deepening of the red of her cheek.

'You quaint goose!' said Lucy, with a laugh that jarred upon Honor, who
turned round at her with a look of reproachful surprise.

'Indeed, Honor dear,' she said, in self-vindication, 'I am not
hard-hearted! I am only very much relieved! I don't think half so badly
of poor Owen as I expected to do; and if we can keep Mrs. Murrell from
driving him distracted, I expect to see him mend fast.'

Robert confirmed her cheerful opinion, but their younger and better
prognostications fell sadly upon Honora's ear. She had been too much
grieved and shocked to look for recovery, and all that she dared to
expect was to tend her darling's feebleness, her best desire was that his
mind might yet have power to embrace the hope of everlasting Life ere he
should pass away from her. Let this be granted, and she was prepared to
be thankful, be his decay never so painful to witness and attend.

She could not let Robert leave her that night without a trembling
question whether he had learnt how it was with Owen on this point. He
had not failed to inquire of the engineer, but he could tell her very
little. Owen's conduct had been unexceptionable, but he had made
scarcely any demonstration or profession, and on the few occasions when
opinions were discussed, spoke not irreverently, but in a tone of one who
regretted and respected the tenets that he no longer held. Since his
accident, he had been too weak and c