timid thoughts. She might be regarded as being safe
from the world's wicked allurements. She was founded like a strong
rock, and was, with her stedfast earnestness, a staff on which
her weaker mother might lean with security. But then she was so
stern,--and her very strength was so oppressive! Rachel was weaker,
more worldly, given terribly to vain desires and thoughts that were
almost wicked; but then it was so pleasant to live with her! And
Rachel, though weak and worldly and almost wicked, was so very good
and kind and sweet! As Mrs. Ray thought of this she began to doubt
whether, after all, the world was so very bad a place, and whether
the wickedness of tea and toast, and of other creature comforts,
could be so very great. "I wonder what sort of a young man he is,"
she said to herself.

Mrs. Prime's return was always timed with the regularity of
clockwork. At this period of the year she invariably came in exactly
at half-past nine. Mrs. Ray was very anxious that Rachel should come
in first, so that nothing should be said of her walk on this evening.
She had been unwilling to imply distrust by making any special
request on this occasion, and had therefore said nothing on the
subject as Rachel went; but she had carefully watched the clock, and
had become uneasy as the time came round for Mrs. Prime's appearance.
Exactly at half-past nine she entered the house, bringing with her
the heavy basket laden with work, and bringing with her also a face
full of the deepest displeasure. She said nothing as she seated
herself wearily on a chair against the wall; but her manner was such
as to make it impossible that her mother should not notice it. "Is
there anything wrong, Dorothea?" she said.

"Rachel has not come home yet, of course?" said Mrs. Prime.

"No; not yet. She is with the Miss Tappitts."

"No, mother, she is not with the Miss Tappitts:" and her voice, as
she said these words, was dreadful to the mother's ears.

"Isn't she? I thought she was. Do you know where she is?"

"Who is to say where she is? Half an hour since I saw her alone
with--"

"With whom? Not with that young man from the brewery, for he is at
Exeter."

"Mother, he is here,--in Baslehurst! Half an hour since he and Rachel
were standing alone together beneath the elms in the churchyard. I
saw them with my own eyes."

CHAPTER III.

THE ARM IN THE CLOUDS.

There was plenty of time for full inquiry and full reply between
Mrs. Ray an