e up the work. But he will preach sometimes,
you know, though of course he will not be able to do that unless Mr.
Saul lets him. No one but the rector has a right to his own pulpit
except the bishop, and he can preach three times a year if he likes it."

"And suppose the bishop wanted to preach four times?"

"He couldn't do it--at least I believe not. But, you see, he never wants
to preach at all--not in such a place as this--so that does not
signify."

"And will Mr. Saul come and live here, in this house?"

"Some day I suppose he will," said Fanny, blushing.

"And you, dear?"

"I don't know how that may be."

"Come, Fanny."

"Indeed I don't, Florence, or I would tell you. Of course Mr. Saul has
asked me. I never had any secret with you about that--have I?"

"No; you were very good."

"Then he asked me again--twice again. And then there came--oh, such a
quarrel between him and papa. It was so terrible. Do you know, I believe
they wouldn't speak in the vestry! Not but what each of them has the
highest possible opinion of the other. But of course Mr. Saul couldn't
marry on a curacy. When I think of it, it really seems that he must have
been mad."

"But you don't think him so mad now, dear?"

"He doesn't know a word about it yet--not a word. He hasn't been in the
house since, and papa and he didn't speak--not in a friendly way--till
the news came of peer Hugh's being drowned. Then he came up to papa,
and, of course, papa took his hand. But he still thinks he is going
away."

"And when is he to be told that he needn't go?"

"That is the difficulty. Mamma will have to do it, I believe. But what
she will say I'm sure I, for one, can't think."

"Mrs. Clavering will have no difficulty."

"You mustn't call her Mrs. Clavering."

"Lady Clavering, then."

"That's a great deal worse. She's your mamma now--not quite so much as
she is mine, but the next thing to it."

"She'll know what to say to Mr. Saul."

"But what is she to say?"

"Well, Fanny, you ought to know that. I suppose you do--love him?"

"I have never told him so."

"But you will?"

"It seems so odd. Mamma will have to-- Suppose he were to turn round and
say he didn't want me."

"That would be awkward."

"He would in a minute, if that was what he felt. The idea of having the
living would not weigh with him a bit."

"But when he was so much in love before, it won't make him out of love,
will it?"

"I don't know," said Fanny. "At any r