broken
the heart of so many a woman before her. Moreover, another thing
demanded consideration. It was necessary, now that she had no longer a
home with Miss Fairbairn, that she should go into town and come back
every day, and, furthermore, as she was giving lessons in a school, no
circumstance of weather or anything else must hinder her being
absolutely punctual. Yet Esther foresaw that as the winter came on
again it would be very difficult sometimes to maintain this
punctuality; and it became clear to her that it would be almost
indispensable for them to move into town. If only a house could be
found!

Meantime Christopher went and came about the house, cultivated the
garden and took care of the horse and drove Esther to school, all just
as usual; his whilome master never having as yet said one word to him
on the subject of his marriage and consequent departure. Whether his
wages were paid him, Esther was anxiously doubtful; but she dared not
ask. I say 'whilome' master, for there is no doubt that Mr. Bounder in
these days felt that nobody was his master but himself. He did all his
duties faithfully, but then he took leave to cross the little field
which lay between his old home and his new, and to disappear for whole
spaces of time from the view of the colonel's family.

It was one evening in November. Mrs. Barker was just sitting down to
her tea, and Christopher was preparing himself to leave her. I should
remark that Mrs. Barker had called on the former Mrs. Blumenfeld, and
established civil relations between the houses.

'Won't you stay, Christopher?' asked his sister.

'No, thank ye. I've got a little woman over there, who's expecting me.'

'Does she set as good a table for you as I used to do? in those days
when I could?' the housekeeper added, with a sigh.

'Well, she ain't just up to some o' your arts,' said Christopher, with
a contented face, in which his blue eye twinkled with a little slyness;
'but I'll tell you what, she can cook a dish o' pot-pie that you can't
beat, nor nobody else; and her rye bread is just uncommon!'

'Rye bread!' said the housekeeper, with an utterance of disdain.

'I'll bring a loaf over,' said Christopher, nodding his head; 'and you
can give some to Miss Esther if you like. Good-night!'

He made few steps of it through the dark cold evening to the house that
had become his home. The room that received him might have pleased a
more difficult man. It was as clean as hands c