er his favourite net, and
look like such a horrid little meek ringdove that he will be perfectly
disgusted with himself for having ever taken me for a fishing eagle. He
will be abject, and I'll be generous, and not give another peck till it
has grown intolerably stupid to go on being good, or till he presumes.'

For the first time for many days, Lucilla awoke with the impression that
something pleasant was about to befall her, and her wild heart was in a
state of glad flutter as she donned the quiet dress, and found that the
subdued colouring and graver style rendered her more softly lovely than
she had ever seen herself.

The letters were on the breakfast-table when she came down, the earliest
as usual, and one was from Honor Charlecote, the first sight striking her
with vexation, as discomfiting her hopes that it would come by a welcome
bearer. Yet that might be no reason why he should not yet run down.

She tore it open.

'MY DEAREST LUCY,--Until I met Mr. Prendergast yesterday, I was not
sure that you had actually returned, or I would not have delayed an
hour in assuring you, if you could doubt it, that my pardon is ever
ready for you.'

('Many thanks,' was the muttered comment. 'Oh that poor, dear,
stupid man! would that I had stopped his mouth!')

'I never doubted that your refinement and sense of propriety would be
revolted at the consequences of what I always saw to be mere
thoughtlessness--'

('Dearly beloved of an old maid is, I told you so!')

'--but I am delighted to hear that my dear child showed so much true
delicacy and dignity in her trying predicament--'

('Delighted to find her dear child not absolutely lost to decorum!
Thanks again.')

'--and I console myself for the pain it has given by the trust that
experience has proved a better teacher than precept.'

('Where did she find that grand sentence?')

'So that good may result from past evil and present suffering, and
that you may have learnt to distrust those who would lead you to
disregard the dictates of your own better sense.'

('Meaning her own self!')

'I have said all this by letter that we may cast aside all that is
painful when we meet, and only to feel that I am welcoming my child,
doubly dear, because she comes owning her error.'

('I dare say! We like to be magnanimous, don't we? Oh, Mr.
Prendergast, I could beat you