and her maid were brought back safely through the dusk by their
constellation of a boy, to whom the provident ladies had entrusted her.
They could not but note how short her syllables were. Her face was
only partly seen. They had returned refreshed from their drive on the
populous and orderly parade---so fair a pattern of their England!--after
discoursing of 'the dear child,' approving her manners, instancing
proofs of her intelligence, nay, her possession of 'character.' They did
so, notwithstanding that these admissions were worse than their
growing love for the girl, to confound established ideas. And now, in
thoughtfulness on her behalf, Dorothea said, 'We have considered, Nesta,
that you may be lonely; and if it is your wish, we will leave our
card on your new acquaintance.' Nesta took her hand and kissed it; she
declined, saying, 'No,' without voice.

They had two surprises at the dinner-hour. One was the card of Dartrey
Fenellan, naming an early time next day for his visit; and the other was
the appearance of the Rev. Stuart Rem, a welcome guest. He had come to
meet his Bishop.

He had come also with serious information for the ladies, regarding
the Rev. Abram Posterley. No sooner was this out of his mouth than both
ladies exclaimed:

'Again!' So serious was it, that there had been a consultation at the
Wells; Mr. Posterley's friend, the Rev. Septimus Barmby, and his own
friend, the Rev. Groseman Buttermore, had journeyed from London to sit
upon the case: and, 'One hoped,' Mr. Stuart Rem said, 'poor Posterley
would be restored to the senses he periodically abandoned.' He laid a
hand on Tasso's curls, and withdrew it at a menace of teeth. Tasso would
submit to rough caresses from Mr. Posterley; he would not allow Mr.
Stuart Rem to touch him. Why was that? Perhaps for the reason of Mr.
Posterley's being so emotional as perpetually to fall a victim to some
bright glance and require the rescue of his friends; the slave of woman
had a magnet for animals!

Dorothea and Virginia were drawn to compassionate sentiments, in spite
of the provokeing recurrence of Mr. Posterley's malady. He had not
an income to support a wife. Always was this unfortunate gentleman
entangling himself in a passion for maid or widow of the Wells and it
was desperate, a fever. Mr. Stuart Rem charitably remarked on his
taking it so severely because of his very scrupulous good conduct.
They pardoned a little wound to their delicacy, and asked: