r Bevil listened at first with interest, then tried to lead away from
the subject; but it was Robert's single idea, and he kept them to it till
their departure, when Phoebe's first words were, as they drove from the
door, 'Oh, thank you, you do not know how much happier you have made me.'

Her companion smiled, saying, 'I need not ask which is the favourite
brother.'

'Mervyn is very kind to me,' quickly answered Phoebe.

'But Robert is the oracle! eh?' he said, kindly and merrily.

'Robert has been everything to us younger ones,' she answered. 'I am
still more glad that you like him.'

His grave face not responding as she expected, she feared that he had
been bored, that he thought Robert righteous over much, or disapproved
his opinions; but his answer was worth having when it came. 'I know
nothing about his views; I never looked into the subject; but when I see
a young man giving up a lucrative prospect for conscience sake, and
devoting himself to work in that sink of iniquity, I see there must be
something in him. I can't judge if he goes about it in a wrong-headed
way, but I should be proud of such a fellow instead of discarding him.'

'Oh, thank you!' cried Phoebe, with ecstasy that made him laugh, and
quite differently from the made-up laughter she had been used to hear
from him.

'What are you thanking me for?' he said. 'I do not imagine that I shall
be able to serve him. I'll talk to your father about him, but he must be
the best judge of the discipline of his own family.'

'I was not thinking of your doing anything,' said Phoebe; 'but a kind
word about Robert does make me very grateful.'

There was a long silence, only diversified by an astonished nod from
Mervyn driving back from the office. Just before setting her down, Sir
Bevil said, 'I wonder whether your brother would let us give something to
his church. Will you find out what it shall be, and let me know? As a
gift from Juliana and myself--you understand.'

It was lucky for Phoebe that she had brought home a good stock of
satisfaction to support her, for she found herself in the direst
disgrace, and her mother too much cowed to venture on more than a feeble
self-defensive murmur that she had told Phoebe it would never do.
Convinced in her own conscience that she had done nothing blameworthy,
Phoebe knew that it was the shortest way not to defend herself, and the
storm was blowing over when Mervyn came in, charmed to mortify Juliana by