ce what they had lost. There were many plans to be put in
operation for Cocksmoor, on which much consultation was needed, though
every word reminded them sadly of Margaret's ever ready interest in
those schemes. It was very unlike Ethel's vision of the first weeks
of St. Andrew's Church; but it might be safer for her than that aught
should tempt her to say, "See what my perseverance has wrought!"
Perhaps her Margaret had begun to admire her too much to be her safest
confidante--at any rate, it was good still to sow in tears, rather than
on earth to reap in confident joy.

Norman was as brotherly and kind as possible; but it was one of the
dreary feelings of those days, that Ethel then first became aware of
the difference that his engagement had made, and saw that he resorted
elsewhere for sympathy. She was not jealous, and acquiesced submissively
and resolutely; but they had been so much to each other, that it was
a trial, especially at such a time as this, when freshly deprived of
Margaret.

Norman's own prospect was not cheerful. He had received a letter
from New Zealand, begging him to hasten his coming out, as there was
educational work much wanting him, and, according to his original wish,
he could be ordained there in the autumnal Ember Week.

He was in much perplexity, since, according to this request, he ought to
sail with his aunt in the last week of February, and he knew not how to
reconcile the conflicting claims.

Meta was not long in finding out the whole of his trouble, as they paced
up and down the terrace together on a frosty afternoon.

"You will go!" was her first exclamation.

"I ought," said Norman, "I believe I ought, and if it had only been at
any other time, it would have been easy. My aunt's company would have
been such a comfort for you."

"It cannot be helped," said Meta.

"Considering the circumstances," began Norman, with lingering looks at
the little humming-bird on his arm, "I believe I should be justified
in waiting till such time as you could go with me. I could see what Mr.
Wilmot thinks."

"You don't think so yourself," said Meta. "Nobody else can give a
judgment. In a thing like this, asking is, what you once called, seeking
opinions as Balaam inquired."

"Turning my words against me?" said Norman, smiling. "Still, Meta,
perhaps older heads would be fitter to judge what would be right for a
little person not far off."

"She can be the best judge of that herself," said Met