,
I suppose. We found there were subjects of disagreement between
us,--matters on which we had adverse opinions; and therefore it was
better that we should part."

"It was about the money, perhaps?" said Mrs. Ray.

"Well, yes; it was in part about the money. Had I known then as much
as I do now about the law in such matters, I should have told Mr.
Prong from the first that it could not be. He is a good man, and I
hope I have not disturbed his happiness."

"I used to be afraid that he would disturb yours," said Rachel, "and
therefore I cannot pretend to regret it."

"That's not charitable, Rachel. But if you please we won't say
anything more about it. It's over, and that is enough. And now,
mother, I want to know if you will object to my returning here and
living at the cottage again."

Mrs. Ray could not bethink herself at the moment what answer she
might best make, and therefore for some moments she made none. For
herself she would have been delighted that her eldest daughter should
return to the cottage. Under no circumstances could she refuse her
own child a home under her own roof. But at the present moment she
could not forget the circumstances under which Mrs. Prime had gone,
and it militated sorely against Mrs. Ray's sense of justice that the
return should be made to depend on other circumstances. Mrs. Prime
had gone away in loud disapproval of Rachel's conduct; and now she
proposed to return, on this breaking up of her own matrimonial
arrangements, as though she had left the cottage because of her
proposed marriage. Mrs. Prime should be welcomed back, but her return
should be accompanied by a withdrawal of her accusation against
Rachel. Mrs. Ray did not know how to put her demand into words, but
her mind was clear on the subject.

"Well, mother," said Mrs. Prime; "is there any objection?"

"No, my dear; no objection at all: of course not. I shall be
delighted to have you back, and so, I'm sure, will Rachel; but--"

"But what? Is it about money?"

"Oh, dear, no! Nothing about money at all. If you do come back,--and
I'm sure I hope you will; and indeed it seems quite unnatural that
you should be staying in Baslehurst, while we are living here. But
I think you ought to say, my dear, that Rachel behaved just as she
ought to behave in all that matter about,--about Mr. Rowan, you
know."

"Don't mind me, mamma," said Rachel,--who could, however, have
smothered her mother with kisses, on hearing these word