ith him, and reminded him of
what he had advised only the day before, he said that was about a
letter, not a book, as if it mattered which it was. It was the principle
that mattered. But they neither of them would listen to me. I said I had
offered to help to rewrite it, and the Bishop became quite fierce. He
said I might as well try to rewrite Regie if he were in his coffin. And
then he mentioned, casually, as if it were quite an afterthought, that
Hester had sold it for a thousand pounds. All through, I knew he was
really trying to hurt my feelings, in spite of his manner, but when he
said _that_ he succeeded."

Mr. Gresley groaned.

"A thousand pounds!" said Mrs. Gresley, turning white. "Oh, it isn't
possible!"

"He said he had seen the publisher's letter offering it, and that Hester
had accepted it by his advice. He seemed to know all about her affairs.
When he said that, I was so distressed I could not help showing it, and
he made rather light of it, saying the money loss was the least serious
part of the whole affair, but, of course, it is the worst. Poor Hester,
when I think that owing to me she has lost a thousand pounds. Seventy
pounds a year, if I had invested it for her, and I know of several good
investments, all perfectly safe, at seven per cent.--when I think of it
it makes me absolutely miserable. We won't talk of it any more. The
Bishop sat with his head in his hands for a long time after the
Archdeacon had gone, and afterwards he was quite kindly again, and said
we looked at the subject from such different points of view that perhaps
there was no use in discussing it. And we talked of the Church Congress
until the fly came, only he seemed dreadfully tired, quite knocked up.
And he promised to let us know first thing to-morrow morning how Hester
was. He was cordial when we left. I think he meant well. But I can
never feel the same to Archdeacon Thursby again. He was quite my
greatest friend among the clergy round here. I suppose I shall learn in
time not to have such a high ideal of people, but I certainly thought
very highly of him until to-day."

Mr. Gresley sat upright, and put away his handkerchief with decision.

"One thing this miserable day has taught us," he said, "and that is that
we must part with Fraeulein. If she is to become impertinent the first
moment we are in trouble, such a thing is not to be borne. We could not
possibly keep her after her behavior to-day."

CHAPTER XLIV