ified the curate in giving up his chance of a college living; and
though it was improbable that he would ever learn a word of Spanish, or
even get so far as the pronunciation of the name of the place, the
advantages that the appointment offered were too great to be rejected,
when Lucilla's health needed a southern climate.

'Oh! yes, yes, let us go,' she cried. 'It will be a great deal better
than anything at home can be.'

'Then you venture on telling Owen, now!'

'Oh, yes! It was a mere delusion of mine that it would cost him
anything. Honor is all that he wants, I am rather in their way than
otherwise. He rests on her down-pillow-ship, and she sees, hears, knows
nothing but him!'

'Is Miss Charlecote aware of--what has been going wrong?'

'Not she! I told her before that I should take my own time for the
communication, and I verily believe she has forgotten all about it! Then
little demure Phoebe fell over head and ears in love with the
backwoodsman on the spot, and walked about in a dream such as ought to
have been good fun to watch, if I had had the spirit for it; and if
Robert had not been sufficiently disengaged to keep his eyes open, I
don't know whether anything would have roused them short of breaking a
blood-vessel or two.'

'I shall never rest till you are in my keeping! I will go to Fulmort at
once, and tell him that I accept.'

'And I will go to Owen, and break the news to him. When are you coming
again?'

'To-morrow, as soon as I have opened school.'

'Ah! the sooner we are gone the better! Much good you can be to poor
Wrapworth! Just tell me, please, that I may know how badly I served you,
how often you have inquired at Mrs. Murrell's.'

'Why--I believe--each day except Saturday and Sunday; but I never met him
there till just now.'

Lucilla's eyes swam with tears; she laid her head on his shoulder, and,
in a broken voice of deep emotion, she said, 'Indeed, I did not deserve
it! But I think I shall be good now, for I can't tell why I should be so
much loved!'

Mr. Prendergast was vainly endeavouring to tell her why, when Humfrey
Randolf's ring was heard, and she rushed out of the room.

Owen's first hearty laugh since his return was at her tidings. That
over, he spoke with brotherly kindness.

'Yes, Lucy,' he said, 'I do think it is the best and happiest thing for
you. He is the only man whom you could not torment to death, or who
would have any patience with your antics.'