then, when she had done, he asked
after Luke Rowan's worldly means. "The young man has got something,
I suppose," said he.

"Got something!" repeated Mrs. Ray, not exactly catching his meaning.

"He has some share in the brewery, hasn't he?"

"I believe he has, or is to have. So Rachel told me."

"Yes,--yes; I've heard of him before. If Tappitt doesn't take him
into the concern he'll have to give him a very serious bit of money.
There's no doubt about the young man having means. Well, Mrs. Ray, I
don't suppose Rachel could do better than take him."

"Take him!"

"Yes,--why not? Between you and me, Rachel is growing into a very
handsome girl,--a very handsome girl indeed. I'd no idea she'd be so
tall, and carry herself so well."

"Oh, Mr. Comfort, good looks are very dangerous for a young woman."

"Well, yes; indeed they are. But still, you know, handsome girls very
often do very well; and if this young man fancies Miss Rachel--"

"But, Mr. Comfort, there hasn't been anything of that. I don't
suppose he has ever thought of it, and I'm sure she hasn't."

"But young people get to think of it. I shouldn't be disposed to
prevent their coming together in a proper sort of way. I don't like
night walkings in churchyards, certainly, but I really think that was
only an accident."

"I'm sure Rachel didn't mean it."

"I'm quite sure she didn't mean anything improper. And as for him, if
he admires her, it was natural enough that he should go after her. If
you ask my advice, Mrs. Ray, I should just tell her to be cautious,
but I shouldn't be especially careful to separate them. Marriage is
the happiest condition for a young woman, and for a young man, too.
And how are young people to get married if they are not allowed to
see each other?"

"And about the party, Mr. Comfort?"

"Oh, let her go; there'll be no harm. And I'll tell you what, Mrs.
Ray; my daughter, Mrs. Cornbury, is going from here, and she shall
pick her up and bring her home. It's always well for a young girl to
go with a married woman." Then Mrs. Ray did take her glass of sherry,
and walked back to Bragg's End, wondering a good deal, and not
altogether at ease in her mind as to that great question,--what line
of moral conduct might best befit a devout Christian.

Something also had been said at the interview about Mrs. Prime. Mrs.
Ray had intimated that Mrs. Prime would separate herself from her
mother and her sister unless her views were allowed to p