over to that faith for
two years--though I believe I dropped money by it--I wouldn't be the man
to say so if I hadn't. Howsomever, when I moved into this house I turned
back again to my old religion. Faith, I don't zee much difference: be
you one, or be you t'other, you've got to get your living.'

'The De Stancys, of course, have not much influence here now, for that,
or any other thing?'

'O no, no; not any at all. They be very low upon ground, and always
will be now, I suppose. It was thoughted worthy of being recorded in
history--you've read it, sir, no doubt?'

'Not a word.'

'O, then, you shall. I've got the history zomewhere. 'Twas gay manners
that did it. The only bit of luck they have had of late years is
Miss Power's taking to little Miss De Stancy, and making her her
company-keeper. I hope 'twill continue.'

That the two daughters of these antipodean families should be such
intimate friends was a situation which pleased Somerset as much as it
did the landlord. It was an engaging instance of that human progress
on which he had expended many charming dreams in the years when poetry,
theology, and the reorganization of society had seemed matters of more
importance to him than a profession which should help him to a big house
and income, a fair Deiopeia, and a lovely progeny. When he was alone he
poured out a glass of wine, and silently drank the healths of the two
generous-minded young women who, in this lonely district, had found
sweet communion a necessity of life, and by pure and instinctive good
sense had broken down a barrier which men thrice their age and repute
would probably have felt it imperative to maintain. But perhaps this was
premature: the omnipotent Miss Power's character--practical or ideal,
politic or impulsive--he as yet knew nothing of; and giving over
reasoning from insufficient data he lapsed into mere conjecture.

V.

The next morning Somerset was again at the castle. He passed some
interval on the walls before encountering Miss De Stancy, whom at last
he observed going towards a pony-carriage that waited near the door.

A smile gained strength upon her face at his approach, and she was the
first to speak. 'I am sorry Miss Power has not returned,' she said, and
accounted for that lady's absence by her distress at the event of two
evenings earlier.

'But I have driven over to my father's--Sir William De Stancy's--house
this morning,' she went on. 'And on mentioning your name