'I don't think I shall try,' said Lucy. 'What are you shaking your head
for, Owen? Have I not had enough to tame me?'

'I beg your pardon, Cilly. I was only thinking of the natural
companionship of bears and monkeys. Don't beat me!'

'Some day you shall come out and see us perform, that's all,' said
Lucilla, merrily. 'But indeed, Owen, if I know myself at all, unmerited
affection and forbearance, with no nonsense about it, is the only way to
keep me from flying out. At any rate, I can't live without it!'

'Ah!' said Owen, gravely, 'you have suffered too much through me for me
to talk to you in this fashion. Forgive me, Lucy; I am not up to any
other, just yet.'

Whatever Lucilla might have said in the first relief of recovering Mr.
Prendergast, she could not easily have made up her mind to leave her
brother in his present condition, and flattered herself that the '_at
once_' could not possibly be speedy, since Mr. Prendergast must give
notice of his intention of leaving Wrapworth.

But when he came the next morning, it proved that things were in a far
greater state of forwardness than she had thought possible. So convinced
were both the curate and Robert of the need of her avoiding the winter
cold, that the latter had suggested that one of his own curates, who was
in need of change and country air, should immediately offer himself as a
substitute at Wrapworth, either for a time or permanently, and Lucy was
positively required to name a day as early as possible for the marriage,
and told, on the authority of the physician, that it might almost be
called suicide to linger in the English frosts.

The day which she chose was the 1st of December, the same on which Mervyn
was to be married. There was a purpose in thus rendering it
impracticable for any Fulmort to be present; 'And,' said Owen, 'I am glad
it should be before I am about. I could never keep my countenance if I
had to give her away to brother Peter!'

'Keeping his countenance' might have two meanings, but he was too feeble
for agitation, and seemed only able to go through the time of preparation
and parting, by keeping himself as lethargic and indifferent as possible,
or by turning matters into a jest when necessarily brought before him.
Playing at solitaire, or trifling desultory chat, was all that he could
endure as occupation, and the long hours were grievously heavy. His son,
though nearly four years old, was no companion or pleasure to him.