uld be no more seen
in Baslehurst. Mr. Prong had given it as his opinion that Luke would
not trouble them again by his personal appearance among them. Under
these circumstances Mrs. Prime had thought that she might spare her
sister. Nor had she said much about her own love affairs. She had
never mentioned Mr. Prong's offer in Rachel's presence; nor did she
do so now. As long as Rachel remained in the room the conversation
was very innocent and very uninteresting. For a few minutes the two
widows were alone together, and then Mrs. Prime gave her mother to
understand that things were not yet quite arranged between herself
and Mr. Prong.

"You see, mother," said Mrs. Prime, "as this money has been committed
to my charge, I do not think it can be right to let it go altogether
out of my own hands."

In answer to this Mrs. Ray had uttered a word or two agreeing with
her daughter. She was afraid to say much against Mr. Prong;--was
afraid, indeed, to express any very strong opinion about this
proposed marriage; but in her heart she would have been delighted to
hear that the Prong alliance was to be abandoned. There was nothing
in Mr. Prong to recommend him to Mrs. Ray.

"And is she going to marry him?" Rachel asked, as soon as her sister
was gone.

"There's nothing settled as yet. Dorothea wants to keep her money in
her own hands."

"I don't think that can be right. If a woman is married the money
should belong to the husband."

"I suppose that's what Mr. Prong thinks;--at any rate, there's
nothing settled. It seems to me that we know so little about him. He
might go away any day to Australia, you know."

"And did she say anything about--Mr. Rowan?"

"Not a word, my dear."

And that was all that was then said about Luke even between Rachel
and her mother. How could they speak about him? Mrs. Ray also
believed that he would be no more seen in Baslehurst; and Rachel
was well aware that such was her mother's belief, although it had
never been expressed. What could be said between them now,--or ever
afterwards,--unless, indeed, Rowan should take some steps to make it
necessary that his doings should be discussed?

The Tuesday passed and the Wednesday, without any sign from the young
man; and during these two sad days nothing was said at the cottage.
On that Wednesday his name was absolutely not mentioned between them,
although each of them was thinking of him throughout the day. Mrs.
Ray had now become almost sure th