"

"Yes."

Grace would have left the room, but Derrick stretched out his hand and
touched him.

"Stay--" he said.

Grace turned to him again.

"You know"--in the old resolute way--"you know what I mean the end to
be, if it may be?"

"I think I do."

Grace appeared at the Rectory very soon afterward, and asked for Miss
Barholm. Anice came down into the parlor to meet him at once. She could
not help guessing that for some reason or other he had come to speak of
Joan, and his first words confirmed her impression.

"I have just left the Thwaites'," he said. "I went there to see Joan
Lowrie, and find that she is not there. Mrs. Thwaite told me that she
had left Riggan. Is that true?"

"Yes. She went away last night She came here to bid me good-by, and
leave a farewell message for you."

Grace was both troubled and embarrassed.

"I----" he faltered. "Do _you_ understand it?"

"Yes," Anice answered.

Their eyes met, and she went on:

"You know we have said that it was best that she should break away
entirely from the past. She has gone to try if it is possible to do it.
She wants another life altogether."

"I do not know what I must do," said Grace. "You say she has gone away,
and I--I came to her from Derrick."

"From Mr. Derrick!" Anice exclaimed; and then both relapsed into
silence.

It was Anice who spoke first

"Mamma was going to send some things to Mr. Derrick this morning," she
said. "I will have the basket packed and take it myself. If you will let
me, I will go with you as soon as I can have the things prepared."

CHAPTER XLI - "A Soart o' Pollygy"

The interview between Anice and Derrick was a long one. At the end
Derrick said:

"I shall go to Ashley-Wold."

Grace had been called out almost immediately after his return to the
house; but on his way home he met Anice, and having something to say
about the school, he turned toward the Rectory with her.

They had not gone far, however, before they were joined by a third
party,--Mr. Sammy Craddock, who was wending his way Crownward. Seeing
them, Mr. Craddock hesitated for a moment, as if feeling somewhat
doubtful; but as they approached him, he pulled off his hat. "I dunnot
know," he said, "after aw, if it would not be as well to ha' a witness.
Hope yo're nicely, Miss," affably; "an' th' same to yo', Parson. Would
yo'" clearing his throat, "would yo' moind shakin' honds wi' a chap?"

Grace gave him his hand.

"Thank yo', Parson,"