ere I am but a guest."

"Well, Cecil, my mother offers to leave the home of her life and
retire into Church-house."

Cecil felt as if the screw she had been long working had come off in
her hands. She frowned, she gazed, collecting her senses, while
Raymond added, "It is to my intense grief and mortification, but I
suppose you are gratified."

"Uh, it would never do!" she exclaimed, to his surprise and
pleasure.

"Quite right," he returned. "Just what I felt. Nothing can make me
so glad as to see that you think the idea as socking as I do."

"Our going to Swanslea would be much better--far more natural, and
no one could object. We could refurnish, and make it perfect;
whereas nothing can be done to this place, so inconveniently built
and buried in trees. I should feel much freer in a place of my
own."

"So that is what you meant when I thought you were thinking of my
mother?"

"I am obliged to take thought for myself when you take heed to no
one but her," said Cecil; and as the carriage was at that moment
announced, she left him. Which was the most sick at heart it would
be hard to say, the wife with the sense that she was postponed in
everything to the mother, the husband at the alienation that had
never before been so fully expressed. Cecil's errand was a council
about the bazaar; and driving round by Sirenwood, Lady Tyrrell
became her companion in the carriage. The quick eyes soon perceived
that something had taken place, and confidence was soon drawn forth.

"The ice is broken; and by whom do you think?"

"By la belle mere? Skilful strategy to know when the position is
not tenable."

"She wants to retreat to Church-house."

"Don't consent to that."

"I said I should prefer Swanslea for ourselves."

"Hold to that, whatever you do. If she moves to the village you
will have all the odium and none of the advantages. There will be
the same daily haunt; and as to your freedom of action, there are no
spies like the abdicated and their dependents. A very clever plan,
but don't be led away by it."

"No," said Cecil, resolutely; but after a moment: "It would be
inconvenient to Raymond to live so far away from the property."

"Swanslea will be property too, and a ride over on business is not
like strolling in constantly."

"I know I shall never feel like my own mistress in a house of hers."

"Still less with her close by, with the Rectory family running in
and out to exchange remarks. No,