I mean leave them for good and all."

She changed color hastily, and turned her head away, while in a low
confused manner she said: "There were several reasons. I need n't
tell you I was n't strong, Tony, and strength is the first element of
governess life."

"I know how it came about," broke in Tony. "Don't deny it,--don't,
Dolly. It was all my fault."

"Don't speak so loud," whispered she, cautiously.

"It all came of that night I dined at Richmond. But if he hadn't struck
at me--"

"Who struck at you, Tony, my man?" said the old minister, waking up. "He
wasna over-gifted with prudence whoever did it, that I maun say; and how
is Mrs. Butler and how are you yourself?"

"Bravely, sir, both of us. I 've had a long chat with Dolly over the
fire, and I fear I must be going now. I 've brought you a brace of
woodcocks, and a message from my mother about not forgetting to dine
with us on Monday."

"I don't know about that, Tony. The lassie yonder is very weak just
yet."

"But after a little rest, eh, Dolly? Don't you think you'd be strong
enough to stroll over by Monday? Then Tuesday be it."

"We 'll bide and see, Tony,--we 'll bide and see. I'll be able, perhaps,
to tell you after meeting to-morrow; not that you 're very reg'lar in
attendance, Maister Tony; I mean to have a word or two with you about
that one of these days."

"All right, sir," said Tony. "If you and Dolly come over to us on
Monday, you may put me on the cutty-stool if you like afterwards;" and
with that he was gone.

"And all this has been my doing," thought Tony, as he wended his way
homewards. "I have lost to this poor girl the means by which she was
earning her own livelihood, and aiding to make her father's life more
comfortable! I must make her tell me how it all came about, and why they
made her pay the penalty of my fault. Not very fair that for people so
just as they are." "And to think," added he, aloud, after a pause,--"to
think it was but the other day I was saying to myself, 'What can people
mean when they talk of this weary world,--this life of care and toil and
anxiety?'--and already I feel as if I stood on the threshold, and peeped
in, and saw it all; but, to be sure, at that time I was cantering along
the strand with Alice, and now--and now I am plodding along a dark
road, with a hot brain and a heavy heart, to tell me that sorrow is sown
broadcast, and none can escape it."

All was still at the cottage when he reached it, and