the blank his death had left, and never since supplied,
till she felt more and more what a 'wise' man truly was!

No one was in the drawing-room, but Honor came down much more cheerful
and lively than she had been for years, and calling Owen materially
better--the doctors thought the injury to the head infinitely mitigated,
and the first step to recovery fairly taken--there were good accounts of
the Prendergasts, and all things seemed to be looking well. Presently
Sir John, to Phoebe's great satisfaction, spoke of her guest, and his
resemblance, but Honor answered with half-resentful surprise. Some of
the old servants had made the same remark, but she could not understand
it, and was evidently hurt by its recurrence. Phoebe sat on, listening
to the account of Lucilla's letters, and the good spirits and health they
manifested; forcing herself not too obviously to watch door or window,
and when Sir John was gone, she only offered to depart, lest Miss
Charlecote should wish to be with Owen.

'No, my dear, thank you; Mr. Randolf is with him, and he can read a
little now. We are getting above the solitaire board, I assure you. I
have fitted up the little room beyond the study for his bedroom, and he
sits in the study, so there are no stairs, and he is to go out every day
in a chair or the carriage.'

'Does the little boy amuse him?'

'No, not exactly, poor little fellow. They are terribly afraid of each
other, that is the worst of it. And then we left the boy too long with
the old woman. I hear his lessons for a quarter of an hour a day, and he
is a clever child enough; but his pronunciation and habits are an
absolute distress, and he is not happy anywhere but in the housekeeper's
room. I try to civilize him, but as yet I cannot worry poor Owen. You
can't think how comfortable we are together, Phoebe, when we are alone.
Since his sister went we have got on so much better. He was shy before
her; but I must tell you, my dear, he asked me to read my Psalms and
Lessons aloud, as I used to do; and we have had such pleasant evenings,
and he desired that the servants might still come in to prayers in the
study. But then he always was different with me.'

And Phoebe, while assenting, could not silence a misgiving that she
thought very cruel. She would believe Owen sincere if Humfrey Randolf
did. Honor, however, was very happy, and presently begged her to come
and see Owen. She obeyed with alacrity, and was conduc