She did not speak with anger as the first time, but with most touching

sadness.

"I don't think any one could answer," he said.

"I did take my aunt's advice about the officers being here. I have not

had them nearly as much as Bessie would have liked, not even Alick. I

have been sorry it was so dull for her, but I thought it could not be

wrong to be intimate with one's clergyman, and Rachel was always so hard

upon him."

"You did nothing but what was kind and right. The only possible thing

that could have been wished otherwise was the making a regular habit of

his playing croquet here."

"Ah! but the boys and Bessie liked it so much. However, I dare say it

was wrong. Alick never did like it."

"Not wrong, only a little overdone. You ladies want sometimes to be put

in mind that, because a clergyman has to manage his own time, he is not

a whit more really at liberty than a soldier or a lawyer, whose hours

are fixed for him. You do not do him or his parish any kindness by

engrossing him constantly in pastimes that are all very well once in a

way, but which he cannot make habitual without detriment to his higher

duties."

"But I thought he would have known when he had time."

"I am afraid curates are but bits of human nature after all."

"And what ought I to have done?"

"If you had been an exceedingly prudent woman who knew the world, you

would have done just as you did about the officers, been friendly, and

fairly intimate, but instead of ratifying the daily appointments for

croquet, have given a special invitation now and then, and so shown that

you did not expect him without one."

"I see. Oh, if I had only thought in time, I need not have driven him

away from his parish! I hope he won't go on being unhappy long! Oh, I

wish there may be some very nice young lady where he is going. If he

only would come back married!"

"We would give him a vote of thanks."

"What a wedding present I would make her," proceeded Fanny, brightening

perceptibly; "I would give her my best Indian table, only I always meant

that for Ermine. I think she must have the emu's egg set in Australian

gold."

"If she were to be induced by the bribe," said Colonel Keith, laughing,

"I think Ermine would be sufficiently provided for by the emu's egg. Do

you know," he added, after a pause, "I think I have made a great step in

that direction."

She clasped her hands with delighted sympathy. "She has given me leave

to mention the matter," he continued, "and I take that as a sign that

her resistance will give way."




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