"And you see great changes here."

"Changes so much for the better," said Fanny, smiling her winning smile

again.

"One always expects more from improvements than they effect," put in

Rachel, severely.

"You have a large young party," said Mr. Touchett, looking uneasily

towards Lady Temple.

"Yes, I have half a dozen boys and one little girl."

"Seven!" Mr. Touchett looked up half incredulous at the girlish contour

of the gentle face, then cast down his eyes as if afraid he had been

rude. "Seven! It is--it is a great charge."

"Yes, indeed it is," she said earnestly; "and I am sure you will be kind

enough to give your influence to help me with them--poor boys."

"Oh! oh!" he exclaimed, "anything I can do--" in such a transport of

eager helpfulness that Rachel coldly said, "We are all anxious to assist

in the care of the children." He coloured up, and with a sort of effort

at self-assertion, blurted out, "As the clergyman of the parish--," and

there halted, and was beginning to look foolish, when Lady Temple took

him up in her soft, persuasive way. "Of course we shall look to you so

much, and you will be so kind as to let me know if there is any one I

can send any broth to at anytime."

"Thank you; you are very good;" and he was quite himself again. "I shall

have the pleasure of sending you down a few names."

"I never did approve the broken victual system," began Rachel, "it

creates dependence."

"Come here, Hubert," said Fanny, beckoning a boy she saw at a distance,

"come and shake hands with Mr. Touchett." It was from instinct rather

than reason; there was a fencing between Rachel and the curate that

made her uncomfortable, and led her to break it off by any means in her

power; and though Mr. Touchett was not much at his ease with the little

boy, this discussion was staged off. But again Mr. Touchett made bold to

say that in case Lady Temple wished for a daily governess, he knew of a

very desirable young person, a most admirable pair of sisters, who had

met with great reverses, but Rachel snapped him off shorter than ever.

"We can decide nothing yet; I have made up my mind to teach the little

boys at present."

"Oh, indeed!"




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