a, as
matters stand at present."

Phoebe sat listening with a face of utter bewilderment. By what means
had Mr Welles' feelings been lacerated?--and why should it be more
distressing for him to meet Rhoda now than before?--But she kept
silence, and Mrs Latrobe said,--

"I think, Sir, I have the honour to understand you."

"Madam!" replied Mr Marcus Welles, with his courtliest bow, "I am sure
that a gentlewoman of your parts and discretion can do no less, I cannot
but be infinitely sensible of the severe and cruel loss I am about to
sustain: still, to my small estate, any other dealing would be of such
mischievous consequence, that I think myself obliged to resign the views
I proposed to myself."

Phoebe tried to understand him, and found it impossible.

"This being the case," continued he, "you will understand, dear Madam,
that I thought myself engaged to wait until I might be honoured by some
discourse with you: and meanwhile to abstain from any commerce of
discourse in other quarters, till I had permission to acquaint you of
the affair. I have indeed been in pain until I was able to wait upon
you. I shall now be something eased. You, I am certain, dearest Madam,
will contrive the business far better than my disordered mind would
allow me; and I doubt not 'twould be more agreeable to all parties to
communicate by that canal."

"If you wish it, Sir, it shall certainly be so," answered Mrs Latrobe,
who seemed to be under no doubt concerning Mr Welles' meaning. "I am
yours to serve you in the matter."

"Dearest Madam, you are an angel of mercy! The sooner I retire, then,
the better."

He kissed Mrs Latrobe's hand, and came round to Phoebe.

"Mr Welles, you have not seen Rhoda yet. I do not understand!" said
Phoebe blankly, as he bowed iver her hand.

"Madam, I have but just now engaged myself--"

"Phoebe, don't be a goose!" burst from her mother. "You must be a baby
if you do not understand. Cannot you see that Mr Welles, in a most
honourable manner, which does him infinite credit, withdraws all
pretensions to your cousin's hand, leaving her free to engage herself
elsewhere? Really, I should have thought you had sense enough for
that."

For a moment Phoebe looked, with a bewildered air, from her mother to
Mr Welles. Then shyness, fear and reserve gave way before indignation.
She did understand now.

"You mean to desert Rhoda, because she has lost the paltry money that
you expected she would ha