is heart, which seemed only endurable with the help of rapid and
mechanical exercise. When at length he came to himself, he was miles
away from home, right down at Shepherd's Bush, and he heard the church
clocks striking twelve. Then he turned back, and walked home more
quietly, his resolution made.

If he told Erica of his love, and she refused him now, he should not
only add to her troubles, but he should inevitably put an end to the
comfort of the close friendship which now existed between the two
families. He would keep silence.

Erica and her father returned on the Saturday, and then began a most
trying time. Tom seemed to shrink from her just as he had done at the
time of her mother's death. He was shy and vexed, too, and kept as much
out of her way as possible. Mrs. Craigie, on the contrary, could not
leave her alone. In spite of her brother's words, she tried every
possible argument and remonstrance in the hope of reconvincing her
niece. With the best intentions, she was often grossly unfair, and
Erica, with a naturally quick temper, and her Raeburn inheritance
of fluency and satire, found her patience sorely tried. Raeburn was
excessively busy, and they saw very little of him; perhaps he thought it
expedient that Erica should fight her own battles, and fully realize the
seriousness of the steps she had taken.

"Have you thought," urged Mrs. Craigie, as a last argument "have you
thought what offense you will give to our whole party? What do you think
they will slay when they learn that you of all people have deserted the
cause?"

The tears started to Erica's eyes, for naturally she did feel this a
great deal. But she answered bravely, and with a sort of ring in her
voice, which made Tom look up from his newspaper.

"They will know that Luke Raeburn's daughter must be true to her
convictions at whatever cost."

"Will you go on writing in the 'Idol'?" asked Tom, for the first time
making an observation to her which was not altogether necessary.

"No," said Erica "how can I?"

Tom shrugged his shoulders, and made no further remark.

"Then how do you mean to live? How else can you support yourself?" asked
Aunt Jean.

"I don't know," said Erica. "I must get some other work somewhere."

But her heart failed her, though she spoke firmly. She knew that to find
work in London was no easy matter.

"Offer yourself to the 'Church Chronicle,'" said Mrs. Craigie
sarcastically, "or, better still, to the 'Watch D