oracle upon whose
trustworthiness she had ventured her all, had proven herself one of the
most fallible of guides. The advice given yesterday with an assurance
that only a settled and undoubting conviction could possibly excuse, was
to-day pettifogged away mainly on the ground of Charley's worldly
prosperity. Phillida had revered the woman before her as a sort of
divine messenger, had defended her against Millard's aspersions, had
followed her counsel at the most critical moment of her life in
opposition to the judgment of her family and of the man she loved. And
now, too late, the strenuous exhortation was retracted, not so much in
the interest of a breaking heart as in that of a good settlement.

When, after a pause, Phillida spoke, the abrupt and profound change in
the relations of the two became manifest. Her voice was broken and
reproachful as she said, "You come this evening to take back what you
said yesterday."

"I spoke without time to think yesterday," said Mrs. Frankland, making a
movement of uneasiness. One accustomed to adulation does not receive
reproach gracefully.

"You spoke very strongly," said Phillida. "I thought you must feel very
sure that you were right, for you knew how critical my position was."
The words were uttered slowly and by starts. Mrs. Frankland did not
reply. Phillida presently went on: "I don't care anything about the
worldly prospects you think so much of to-day. But God knows what an
awful sacrifice I have made. In following your advice, which was very
solemnly given, I have thrown away the love and devotion of one of the
best men in the world." She lifted her hands from her lap as she spoke
and let them fall when she had finished.

"Have you broken your engagement already?" said Mrs. Frankland, with a
start.

"What else could I do? You told me to stand by my work of healing. I
hope you were right, for it has cost me everything--everything. I
thought you had come to comfort me to-night and to strengthen my faith.
Instead of that you have taken back all that you said before."

"I only spoke generally before. I didn't know the circumstances. I did
not know anything about Mr. Millard, or--" Here she paused.

"You didn't know about Mr. Millard's property or social position, I
suppose. These are what you have talked to me about this evening. They
are not bad things to have, perhaps, but, if they were all, I could give
them up--trample them under foot, and be glad."

"Don't be