; and he had thought much of the coming conference between
himself and Rachel's mother while Rowan's character was being
discussed at Dr. Harford's house: but on that occasion he had said
nothing to any one, not even to his daughter, of the application
which had been made to him by Mrs. Ray. At eleven o'clock he
presented himself at the cottage door, and, of course, found Mrs.
Ray alone. Rachel had taken herself over to Mrs. Sturt, and greatly
amazed that kindhearted person by her silence and confusion. "Why,
my dear," said Mrs. Sturt, "you hain't got a word to-day to throw at
a dog." Rachel acknowledged that she had not; and then Mrs. Sturt
allowed her to remain in her silence.

"Oh, Mr. Comfort, this is so good of you!" Mrs. Ray began as soon as
her friend was inside the parlour. "When I went up to the parsonage
I didn't think of bringing you down here all the way;--I didn't
indeed." Mr. Comfort assured her that he thought nothing of the
trouble, declared that he owed her a visit, and then asked after
Rachel.

"To tell you the truth, then, she's just stept across the green to
Mrs. Sturt's, so as to be out of the way. It's a trying time to her,
Mr. Comfort,--very; and whatever way it goes, she's a good girl,--a
very good girl."

"You needn't tell me that, Mrs. Ray."

"Oh! but I must. There's her sister thinks she's encouraged this
young man too freely, but--"

"By-the-by, Mrs. Ray, I've been told that Mrs. Prime is engaged to be
married herself."

"Have you, now?"

"Well, yes; I heard it in Baslehurst yesterday;--to Mr. Prong."

"She's kept it so close, Mr. Comfort, I didn't think anybody had
heard it."

"It is true, then?"

"I can't say she has accepted him yet. He has offered to
her;--there's no doubt about that, Mr. Comfort,--and she hasn't said
him no."

"Do let her look sharp after her money," said Mr. Comfort.

"Well, that's just it. She's not a bit inclined to give it up to him,
I can tell you."

"I can't say, Mrs. Ray, that the connexion is one that I like very
much, in any way. There's no reason at all why your eldest daughter
should not marry again, but--"

"What can I do, Mr. Comfort? Of course I know he's not just what he
should be,--that is, for a clergyman. When I knew he hadn't come
from any of the colleges, I never had any fancy for going to hear
him myself. But of course I should never have left your church, Mr.
Comfort,--not if anybody had come there. And if I could have had my
w