e sister. Miss Charlecote's influence had done as much for
Robert as he had done for Phoebe, and Phoebe had become his medium of
communication with her in all matters of near and delicate interest. She
was not surprised when the maiden proceeded--'Papa wants Robin to attend
to the office while he is away.'

'Indeed! Does Robin like it?'

'He would not mind it for a time; but papa wants him, besides, to take to
the business in earnest. You know, my great-uncle, Robert Mervyn, left
Robert all his fortune, quite in his own hands; and papa says that if he
were to put that into the distillery it would do the business great good,
and that Robert would be one of the richest men in England in ten years'
time.'

'But that would be a complete change in his views,' exclaimed Honor,
unable to conceal her disapproval and consternation.

'Just so,' answered Phoebe; 'and that is the reason why he wants to see
Lucy. She always declared that she could not bear people in business,
and we always thought of him as likely to be a clergyman; but, on the
other hand, she has become used to London society, and it is only by his
joining in the distillery that he could give her what she is accustomed
to, and that is the reason he is anxious to see her.'

'So Lucy is to decide his fate,' said Honora. 'I am almost sorry to hear
it. Surely, he has never spoken to her.'

'He never does speak,' said Phoebe, with the calm gravity of simplicity
which was like a halo of dignity. 'There is no need of speaking.
Lucilla knows how he feels as well as she knows that she breathes the
air.'

And regards it as little, perhaps, thought Honor, sadly. 'Poor Robin!'
she said; 'I suppose he had better get his mind settled; but indeed it is
a fearful responsibility for my poor foolish Lucy--' and but for the fear
of grieving Phoebe, she would have added, that such a purpose as that of
entering Holy Orders ought not to have been made dependent upon the fancy
of a girl. Possibly her expression betrayed her sentiments, for Phoebe
answered--'There can be no doubt that Lucy will set him at rest. I am
certain that she would be shocked at the notion that her tastes were
making him doubt whether to be a clergyman.'

'I hope so! I trust so!' said Honora, almost mournfully. 'It may be
very good for her, as I believe it is for every woman of any soundness,
to be taught that her follies tell upon man's greater aims and purposes.
It may be wholesome for her a