es of speeding the parting guest; and now she remembered that he
was her Phil's representative: whatever she might herself think of the
man, how could she join in abuse of one who represented Phil?

"He is no worse, I suppose, than others," she said. "He was bound to
stand up for those in whose interest he was. Mr. Lynch would have made
himself quite as disagreeable for me."

"Not I," said the old gentleman; "for what is the good of standing up
for you? You would throw me over on the first opportunity. You have
taken all the force out of my sword-arm, my dear, as it is. How can I
make myself disagreeable for those who won't stand up for themselves? I
suppose you must have it your own way."

"Yes, I suppose it will be the best," said Mrs. Dennistoun, in subdued
tones.

"It would come to about the same thing, however you settled it," said
John.

Elinor looked from one to another with eyes that began to glow. "You are
a cheerful company," she said. "You speak as if you were arranging my
funeral. On the whole I think I like Mr. Sharp best; for if he was
contemptuous of me and my little bit of money, he was at all events
cheerful about the future, and that is always something; whereas you
all----"

There was a little pause, no one responding. There was no pleasant jest,
no bright augury for Elinor. The girl's heart rose against this gloom
that surrounded her. "I think," she said, with an angry laugh, "that I
had better run after Mr. Sharp and bring him back, for he had at least a
little sympathy with me!"

"Don't be too sure of that," said Mr. Lynch, "for if we think you are
throwing yourself away, Elinor, so does he on his side. He thinks the
Honourable Mr. Compton is going dreadfully cheap for five thousand
pounds."

"Elinor need not take any of us _au pied de la lettre_--of course we are
all firm for our own side," said John.

Elinor turned her head from one to another, growing pale and red by
turns. There was a certain surprise in her look, as she found herself
thus at bay. The triumph of having got the better of their opposition
was lost in the sense of isolation with which the girl, so long the
first object of everybody about her, felt herself thus placed alone. And
the tears were very ready to start, but were kept back by jealous pride
which rose to her help. Well! if they put her outside the circle she
would remain so; if they talked to her as one no longer of them, but
belonging to another life, so be it