t that her father's infinite tenderness made all things soft
and sweet to her. She hated to be scolded, and the slightest roughness
of word or tone seemed to her to convey a rebuke. But he was never
rough. She loved to be caressed by those who were dear and near and
close to her, and his manner was always caressing. She often loved, if
the truth is to be spoken, to be idle, and to spend hours with an
unread book in her hand under the shade of the deanery trees, and among
the flowers of the deanery garden. The Dean never questioned her as to
those idle hours. But at Cross Hall not a half-hour would be allowed to
pass without enquiry as to its purpose. At Cross Hall there would be no
novels,--except those of Miss Edgeworth, which were sickening to her.
She might have all Mudie down to the deanery if she chose to ask for
it. At Cross Hall she would be driven out with the Dowager, Lady
Susanna, and Lady Amelia, for two hours daily, and would have to get
out of the carriage at every cottage she came to. At the deanery there
was a pair of ponies, and it was her great delight to drive her father
about the roads outside the city. She sometimes thought that a long
sojourn at Cross Hall would kill her. Would he not be kind to her now,
and loving, and would he not come and stay with her for one or two
happy weeks in her father's house? If so, how dearly she would love
him; how good she would be to him; how she would strive to gratify him
in all his whims! Then she thought of Adelaide Houghton and the letter;
and she thought also of those subsequent visits to Berkeley Square. But
still she did not in the least believe that he cared for Adelaide
Houghton. It was impossible that he should like a painted, unreal,
helmeted creature, who smelt of oils, and was never unaffected for a
moment. At any rate she would never, never throw Adelaide Houghton in
his teeth. If she had been imprudent, so had he; and she would teach
him how small errors ought to be forgiven. But would he come to her, or
would he only write? Surely he would come to her now when there was
matter of such vital moment to be discussed between them! Surely there
would be little directions to her given, which should be obeyed,--oh,
with such care, if he would be good to her.

That pernicious groom must have ridden home along the road nearly as
quick as the Dean's cob would carry him for the express purpose of
saying that there was no message. When he had been about ten minut