and I
will go some day soon, and see what we can find."

"Where will you go? to Brompton?"

"Of course. There is no other place to go to. But keep your own
counsel, Julia."

If Julia kept her own counsel, she did not so well know how to keep her
sister's; for the very next day, when she was at Mrs. Williams's
cottage, the sight of the old portfolio brought up her talk with
Eleanor and all that had led to it; and Julia out and spoke.

"Mr. Rhys, I don't believe that Eleanor wants to be married and go to
Rythdale Priory."

Mr. Rhys's first movement was to rise and see that the door of
communication with the next room was securely shut; then as he sat down
to his writing again he said gravely,

"You ought to be very careful how you make such remarks, Julia. You
might without knowing it, do great harm. You are probably very much
mistaken."

"I am careful, Mr. Rhys. I only said it to you."

"You had better not say it to me. And I hope you will say it to nobody
else."

"But I want to speak to somebody," said Julia; "and she was crying in
her room yesterday as hard as she could. I do not believe, she wants to
go to Rythdale!"

Julia spoke the last words with slow enunciation, like an oracle. Mr.
Rhys looked up from his writing and smiled at her a little, though he
answered very seriously.

"You ought to remember, Julia, that there might be many things to
trouble your sister on leaving home for the last time, without going to
any such extravagant supposition as that she does not want to leave it.
Miss Eleanor may have other cause for sorrow, quite unconnected with
that."

"I know she has, too," said Julia. "I think Eleanor wants to be a
Christian."

He looked up again with one of his grave keen glances.

"What makes you think it, Julia?"

"She said she wanted to be good, and that she was not ready for
anything till she felt better; and I know _that_ was what she meant. Do
you think Mr. Carlisle is good, Mr. Rhys?"

"I have hardly an acquaintance with Mr. Carlisle. Pray for your sister,
Julia, but do not talk about her; and now let me write."

The days rolled on quietly at Ivy Lodge, until Monday came. Eleanor had
kept herself in order and given general satisfaction. When Monday came
she announced boldly that she was going to give the afternoon of that
day to her little sister. It should be spent for Julia's pleasure, and
so they two would take the carriage and go to Brompton and be alone. It
was a purp