saw her white summer
dress and her parasol aslant. There was no prettier, no more agreeable
woman than Ellen in Ireland, and he thought it a great pity to have to
worry her and himself with explanations about politics and about
religion. To know how to sacrifice the moment is wisdom, and it would
be better to sacrifice their walk than that she should read unprepared
what he had said. But the evening would be lost! It would be lost in
any case, for his thoughts would be running all the while on the
morning paper.

And they walked on together, he a little more silent than usual, for he
was thinking how he could introduce the subject on which he had decided
to speak to her, and Ellen more talkative, for she was telling how the
child had delayed her, and it was not until they reached the prettiest
part of the road that she noticed that Ned was answering perfunctorily.

"What is the matter, dear? I hope you are not disappointed with the
meeting?"

"No, the meeting was well enough. There were a great number of people
present and my speech was well received."

"I am glad of that," she said, "but what is the matter, Ned?"

"Nothing. I was thinking about my speech. I hope it will not be
misunderstood. People are so stupid, and some will understand it as an
attack on the clergy, whereas it is nothing of the kind."

"Well," she said, "if it isn't it will be different from your other
speeches."

"How is that?"

"All your speeches lately have been an attack upon the clergy direct or
indirect. I daresay many did not understand them, but anyone who knows
your opinions can read between the lines."

"If you had read between the lines, Ellen, you would have seen that I
have been trying to save the clergy from themselves. They are so
convinced of their own importance that they forget that after all there
must be a laity."

Ellen answered very quietly, and there was a sadness in her gravity
which Ned had some difficulty in appreciating. He went on talking,
telling her that some prelate had pointed out lately, and with
approbation, that although the population had declined the clergy had
been increasing steadily year after year.

"I am really," he said, "trying to save them from themselves. I am only
pleading for the harmless and the necessary laity."

Ellen did not answer him for a long while.

"You see, Ned, I am hardly more to you now than any other woman. You
come here occasionally to spend a day or two with me. Our ma