atmosphere.'

'Yet you have carried your cares there, poor Robin.'

'So one does into Sunday, but to get another light thrown on them. The
Holt has been the blessing of my life--of both our lives, Phoebe.'

She responded with all her heart. 'Yes, it has made everything happier,
at home and everywhere else. I never can think why Lucilla is not more
fond of it.'

'You are mistaken,' exclaimed Robert; 'she loves no place so well; but
you don't consider what claims her relations have upon her. That cousin
Horatia, to whom she is so much attached, losing both her parents, how
could she do otherwise than be with her?'

'Miss Charteris does not seem to be in great trouble now,' said Phoebe.

'You do not consider; you have never seen grief, and you do not know how
much more a sympathizing friend is needed when the world supposes the
sorrow to be over, and ordinary habits to be resumed.'

Phoebe was willing to believe him right, though considering that Horatia
Charteris lived with her brother and his wife, she could hardly be as
lonely as Miss Charlecote.

'We shall see Lucy in London,' she said.

Robert again sighed heavily. 'Then it will be over,' he said. 'Did you
say anything there?' he pursued, as they plunged into the dark shadows of
the woodland path, more congenial to the subject than the light.

'Yes, I did,' said Phoebe.

'And she thought me a weak, unworthy wretch for ever dreaming of swerving
from my original path.'

'No!' said Phoebe, 'not if it were your duty.'

'I tell you, Phoebe, it is as much my duty to consult Lucilla's happiness
as if any words had passed between us. I have never pledged myself to
take Orders. It has been only a wish, not a vocation; and if she have
become averse to the prospect of a quiet country life, it would not be
treating her fairly not to give her the choice of comparative wealth,
though procured by means her family might despise.'

'Yes, I knew you would put right and duty first; and I suppose by doing
so you make it certain to end rightly, one way or other.'

'A very few years, and I could realize as much as this Calthorp, the
millionaire, whom they talk of as being so often at the Charterises.'

'It will not be so,' said Phoebe. 'I know what she will say;' and as
Robert looked anxiously at her, she continued--

'She will say she never dreamt of your being turned from anything so
great by any fancies she has seemed to have. She will say so more
strongly