'By no means,' returned Robert, gravely. 'I have far too great a regard
for you not to be most deeply concerned at what I see is making you
unhappy.'

'May not I be unhappy if I like, with my brother in this state?'

'That is not all, Lucilla.'

'Then never mind! You are the only one who never pitied me, and so I
like you. Don't spoil it now!'

'You need not be afraid of my pitying you if you have brought on this
misunderstanding by your old spirit!'

'Not a bit of it! I tell you he pitied me. I found it out in time, so I
set him free. That's all.'

'And that was the offence?'

'Offence! What are you talking of? He didn't offend--No, but when I
said I could not bring so many upon him, and could not have Owen teased
about the thing, he said he would bother me no more, that I had Owen, and
did not want him. And then he walked off.'

'Taking you at your word?'

'Just as if one might not say what one does not mean when one wants a
little comforting,' said Lucy, pouting; 'but, after all, it is a very
good thing--he is saved a great plague for a very little time, and if it
were all pity, so much the better. I say, Robin, shall you be man enough
to read the service over me, just where we stood at poor Edna's funeral?'

'I don't think that concerns you much,' said Robert.

'Well, the lady in Madge Wildfire's song was gratified at the "six brave
gentlemen" who "kirkward should carry her." Why should you deprive me of
that satisfaction? Really, Robin, it is quite true. A little happiness
might have patched me up, but--'

'The symptoms are recurring? Have you seen F---?'

'Yes. Let me alone, Robin. It is the truest mercy to let me wither up
with as little trouble as possible to those who don't want me. Now that
you know it, I am glad I can talk to you, and you will help me to think
of what has never been enough before my eyes.'

Robert made no answer but a hasty good-bye, and was gone.

Lucilla gave a heavy sigh, and then exclaimed, half-aloud--

'Oh, the horrid little monster that I am. Why can't I help it? I verily
believe I shall flirt in my shroud, and if I were canonized my first
miracle would be like St. Philomena's, to make my own relics
presentable!'

Wherewith she fell a laughing, with a laughter that soon turned to tears,
and the exclamation, 'Why can I make nobody care for me but those I can't
care for? I can't help disgusting all that is good, and it will be well
when I am dea