nch. He has always
remained friendly to me, though before his promotion, when he was an
incumbent of this diocese, we had a little controversy about the Bible
Society."

The rector's words were too pregnant with satisfactory meaning to
himself for him to imagine the effect they produced in the mind of his
niece. "Continuance of education"--"bishop's views"--"privately
strict"--"Bible Society,"--it was as if he had introduced a few snakes
at large for the instruction of ladies who regarded them as all alike
furnished with poison-bags, and, biting or stinging, according to
convenience. To Gwendolen, already shrinking from the prospect open to
her, such phrases came like the growing heat of a burning glass--not at
all as the links of persuasive reflection which they formed for the
good uncle. She began, desperately, to seek an alternative.

"There was another situation, I think, mamma spoke of?" she said, with
determined self-mastery.

'"Yes," said the rector, in rather a depreciatory tone; "but that is in
a school. I should not have the same satisfaction in your taking that.
It would be much harder work, you are aware, and not so good in any
other respect. Besides, you have not an equal chance of getting it."

"Oh dear no," said Mrs. Gascoigne, "it would be much less appropriate,
You might not have a bedroom to yourself." And Gwendolen's memories of
school suggested other particulars which forced her to admit to herself
that this alternative would be no relief. She turned to her uncle again
and said, apparently in acceptance of his ideas--

"When is Mrs. Mompert likely to send for me?"

"That is rather uncertain, but she has promised not to entertain any
other proposal till she has seen you. She has entered with much feeling
into your position. It will be within the next fortnight, probably. But
I must be off now. I am going to let part of my glebe uncommonly well."

The rector ended very cheerfully, leaving the room with the
satisfactory conviction that Gwendolen was going to adapt herself to
circumstances like a girl of good sense. Having spoken appropriately,
he naturally supposed that the effects would be appropriate; being
accustomed, as a household and parish authority, to be asked to "speak
to" refractory persons, with the understanding that the measure was
morally coercive.

"What a stay Henry is to us all?" said Mrs. Gascoigne, when her husband
had left the room.

"He is indeed," said Mrs. Davilow, cor