oebe, I was warned
that he would not stand my going to Ireland. I answered that it was no
concern of his; I defied him to be able to break with me. They bothered
me so that I was forced to go to spite them. He thought--I can't wonder
at it--that I was irreclaimable; he was staying here, was worked on by
the sight of this horrible district, and, between pique and goodness run
mad, has devoted self and fortune. He gave me to understand that he has
made away with every farthing. I don't know if he would wish it undone.'

She spoke into the knapsack, jerking out brief sentences.

'He didn't tell you he had taken a vow of celibacy?'

'I should not think it worth while.'

'Then it is all right!' exclaimed Owen, joyously. 'Do you think old
Fulmort, wallowing in gold, could see a son of his living with his
curates, as in the old Sussex rhyme?--

There were three ghostisses
Sitting on three postisses,
Eating of three crustisses.

No, depend on it, the first alarm of Robert becoming a ghost, there will
be a famous good fat living bought for him; and then--'

'No, I shall have been a governess. They won't consent.'

'Pshaw! What are the Fulmorts? He would honour you the more! No,
Lucy,' and he drew her up from the floor, and put his arm round her,
'girls who stick to one as you have done to me are worth something, and
so is Robert Fulmort. You don't know what he has been to me ever since
he came to fetch me. I didn't believe it was in his cloth or his nature
to be so forbearing. No worrying with preachments; not a bit of "What a
good boy am I;" always doing the very thing that was comfortable and
considerate, and making the best of it at Hiltonbury. I didn't know how
he could be capable of it, but now I see, it was for your sake. Cheer
up, Lucy, you will find it right yet.'

Lucilla had no conviction that he was right; but she was willing to
believe for the time, and was glad to lay her head on his shoulder and
feel, while she could, that she had something entirely her own. Too soon
it would be over. Lengthen the evening as they would, morning must come
at last.

It came; the hurried breakfast, pale looks, and trivial words. Robert
arrived to watch them off; Mrs. Murrell brought the child. Owen took him
in his arms, and called her to the study. Robert sat still, and said--

'I will do what I can. I think, in case I had to write about the child,
you had better leave me your address.'