nd as her husband thought fit to
indulge and make much of her, she was not so sure she disliked her
passing indisposition, any more than Mr. Harcourt disliked playing Darby
to his handsome Joan.

The dinner-party passed off well, and Mrs. Blake looked so lovely in her
new gown that she made quite a sensation, and the Vicar observed to his
wife afterwards 'that she was the nicest and most agreeable woman he had
met for a long time.'

Mrs. Boyle received this eulogium a little coldly. She was a fat, dumpy
little person, with a round, good-natured face that had once been
pretty. 'Bernard might admire Mrs. Blake,' she said to herself,--'she
was the sort of woman men always raved about; but for her part she was
not sure she admired her style,' but she had the rare magnanimity to
keep her opinions to herself. Mrs. Boyle never contradicted her husband
after the peevish manner of some wives.

The term was drawing to a close now, and Mollie's face lengthened a
little every day. Audrey had mooted the scheme to her father during a
walk they had together, and Dr. Ross, who was one of the most benevolent
and kindly of men, had at once given his consent, and had promised to
speak to Michael, who carried it through with a high hand.

Great was the rejoicing in the Blake household. Poor Kester had turned
red and white by turns, and could hardly speak a word, so intense was
his surprise; but Audrey, who saw the lad's agony of embarrassment,
assured him that there was no need for him to speak, and that everything
was settled.

Cyril was almost as embarrassed when he came in to thank them that
evening.

'I have never heard of such kindness in my life,' he said eagerly, when
he found Audrey alone; for the others were all in the garden, as she
told him. 'I will go to them directly. Of course I must speak to Captain
Burnett. I hear it is his thought. Am I interrupting you?' looking at
her open desk. 'May I stay a moment?'

'Certainly, if you like.'

But Audrey did not resume her seat. She stood by the lamp, its crimson
shade casting ruddy gleams over her white dress. She had coiled her hair
loosely--Audrey was given to dressing herself hurriedly--and one long
plait had become unfastened. It looked so smooth and brown against her
white neck. At such moments Audrey certainly looked pretty. Perhaps
Cyril thought so, for he looked at her long and earnestly.

'I hardly know how to thank you all,' he went on almost abruptly. 'My
mother