u or to me. She must obey
him, and I hope that God may give him grace to direct her steps
aright."

"Amen!" said Mrs. Ray, solemnly. It was thus that Mrs. Prime read her
recantation, which was repeated on that evening to Rachel with some
little softening touches. "You won't be living together in the same
house after a bit," said Mrs. Ray, thinking, with some sadness, that
those little evening festivities of buttered toast and thick cream
were over for her now,--"but I do hope you will be friends."

"Of course we will, mamma. She has only to put out her hand the least
little bit in the world, and I will go the rest of the way. As for
her living, I don't know what will be best about that, because Luke
says that of course you'll come and live with us."

It was two or three days after this that Rachel saw the Tappitt girls
for the first time since the fact of her engagement had become known.
It was in the evening, and she had been again walking with Luke, when
she met them; but at that moment she was alone. Augusta would have
turned boldly away, though they had all come closely together before
either had been aware of the presence of the other. But to this both
Martha and Cherry objected.

"We have heard of your engagement," said Martha, "and we congratulate
you. You have heard, of course, that we are going to move to Torquay,
and we hope that you will be comfortable at the brewery."

"Yes," said Augusta, "the place isn't what it used to be, and so
we think it best to go. Mamma has already looked at a villa near
Torquay, which will suit us delightfully."

Then they passed on, but Cherry remained behind to say another word.
"I am so happy," said Cherry, "that you and he have hit it off. He's
a charming fellow, and I always said he was to fall in love with you.
After the ball of course there wasn't a doubt about it. Mind you send
us cake, dear; and by-and-by we'll come and see you at the old place,
and be better friends than ever we were."

CHAPTER XV.

CONCLUSION.

Early in November Mr. Tappitt officially announced his intention
of abdicating, and the necessary forms and deeds and parchment
obligations were drawn out, signed and sealed, for the giving
up of the brewery to Luke Rowan. Mr. Honyman's clerk revelled in
thinly-covered folio sheets to the great comfort and profit of his
master; while Mr. Sharpit went about Baslehurst declaring that
Tappitt was an egregious ass, and hinting that Rowan was little