ccess of colour and such an expression of
anguish as seemed incomprehensible to those who did not know with what
force Peggy's foot had been pressed on a pet corn, or had not heard the
threatening whisper, "You _would_, would you? Wait till I get you
alone!" which had belied the honeyed words. The two girls stood
together in silence a moment longer, while the other occupants of the
room gazed upon them with curious eyes; then Peggy held out her hand to
the professor in her most fascinating manner. "We should not need an
introduction, Professor Reid, since we are already united by a mutual
love and admiration. I congratulate you truly. To be approved by
Esther has ever been the ambition of her friends. To be chosen above
all others is indeed an honour."

"I feel it so! I feel it so!" agreed the professor eagerly. He was
charmed to discover so understanding an appreciation of his _fiancee_,
and rose to the bait with innocent alacrity. "I feel very deeply the
responsibility attached to such a trust and my own unworthiness to
possess it, but I know that Esther will be patient with me and help me
to overcome my failings. She is so wise, so gentle--"

"So sensible--"

"So sensible, as you observe; so kind, so patient--"

"So faithful to her resolutions, so strong, so _consistent_ in her
actions!"

"Consistent, indeed!" echoed the professor, and rubbed his hands with
satisfaction. He saw only a remarkably affable, agreeable little lady,
who expressed herself with great propriety, and could not understand why
at this last word there was a general "family coach" movement in the
room, every one rushing hurriedly to take up a new position, or why
Esther herself should hang her head with an expression of guilty
embarrassment. How was he to know how often in that self-same company
his Esther had sung the praises of a single life, and vowed that no mere
man should be allowed to stand between herself and her life's work.

Mrs Asplin took refuge at the tea-table, and rattled the cups with a
trembling hand. The vicar tip-toed gently up and down in his carpet
slippers, and, in his efforts to look solemn, dropped his chin until his
face looked about half a yard long. Mellicent spluttered contentedly in
a corner, and Rob rubbed his hands and whispered, "Go it, Peg!" at every
fresh opportunity.

The conversation during tea-time was conducted mainly between the
professor and Miss Saville, and that young woman's friends