s
listening to that laughing disclaimer which he had just made. She was
sitting by his side, saying nothing herself, listening to the talk,
amused and almost excited by the new voice, the little play of light
intercourse; even the charm of a new voice was something to Chatty. And
she was so certain that what the rector said was true, that Georgie, or
even she herself, more delicate still, a simple-hearted young woman,
might have been trusted in his worst haunt. He read her look with a keen
pang of feelings contradictory, of sharp anguish and a kind of pleasure.
For indeed it was true; and yet--and yet---- Did they but know!

Warrender walked back with the party as far as the Rectory gate. Indeed,
so simple was the place, the entire family came out with them, straying
along under the thick shade of the trees to the little gate which was
nearest the Rectory. It was a lovely summer night, as different as
possible from the haze and chill of the preceding one, with a little new
moon just disappearing, and everything softened and whitened by her soft
presence in the sky. Mrs. Wilberforce and Minnie went first, invisible
in the dimness of the evening, then the two solid darknesses of the
rector and Warrender. Dick came behind with Mrs. Warrender, and Chatty
followed a step in the rear of all. The mother talked softly, more than
she had done as yet. She told him that their home henceforward would
probably be in Highcombe, not here,--"That is, not yet, perhaps, but
soon," she said, with a little eagerness not like the melancholy tone
with which a new-made widow talks of leaving her home,--and that it
would please her to see him there, if, according to the common formula,
"he ever came that way." And Dick declared with a little fervour which
was unnecessary that he would surely go, that it would be always a
pleasure. Why should he have said it? He had no right to say it; for
he knew, though he could not see, with once more that pang of mingled
pleasure and misery, that there was a look of pleased satisfaction on
Chatty's face as she came softly in the darkness behind.

CHAPTER XV.

Dick was astir very early next morning. He did his packing hurriedly,
and strolled out in the freshness of the early day. But not to enjoy the
morning sunshine. He walked along resolutely towards the house which
had suddenly acquired for him so painful an interest. For why? With no
intention of visiting it; with a certainty that he would see