er sisterly love would suffer, and she was anxious about the
child; but dawning confidence was at the least a relief.

Next morning, he was better, and talked much too like his ordinary self,
but relapsed afterwards for want of employment; and when a letter was
brought to him, left by his wife to be read after her death, he broke
down, and fell into a paroxysm of grief and despair, which still
prevailed when a message came in to ask admission for Mr. Prendergast.
Relieved to be out of sight of depression that her consolations only
aggravated, and hoping for sympathy and counsel, Lucy hastened to the
study with outstretched hands, and was met with the warmth for which she
had longed.

Still there was disappointment. In participation with Owen's grief, she
had lost sight of his offences, and was not prepared for any
commencement. 'Well, Cilla, I came up to talk to you. A terrible
business this of Master Owen's.'

'It breaks one's heart to see him so wretched.'

'I hope he is. He ought to be.'

'Now, Mr. Prendergast.'

The curate held up both his hands, deprecating her coaxing piteous look,
and used his voice rather loudly to overpower hers, and say what he had
prepared as a duty.

'Yes, yes, he is your brother, and all that. You may feel for him what
you like. But I must say this: it was a shameful thing, and a betrayal
of confidence, such as it grieves me to think of in his father's son. I
am sorry for her, poor thing! whom I should have looked after better; and
I am very sorry indeed for you, Cilla; but I must tell you that to bury
the poor girl next to Mrs. Sandbrook, as your brother's wife, would be a
scandal.'

'Don't speak so loud; he will hear.'

His mild face was unwontedly impatient as he said, 'I can see how you
gave in to the wish; I don't blame you, but if you consider the example
to the parish.'

'After what I told you in my letter, I don't see the evil of the example;
unless it be your _esprit de corps_ about the registrar, and they could
not well have requested you to officiate.'

'Cilla, you were always saucy, but this is no time for nonsense. You
can't defend them.'

'Perhaps you are of your Squire's opinion--that the bad example was in
the marrying her at all.'

Mr. Prendergast looked so much shocked that Lucilla felt a blush rising,
conscious that the tone of the society she had of late lived with had
rendered her tongue less guarded, her cheek less shamefaced than erst,
but sh