you went away," said the
rector. "It seems to have passed off like a dream. He and Fanny go on
the same as ever, and I suppose he knows that he made a fool of
himself." But in this matter the rector of Clavering was mistaken. Mr.
Saul did not by any means think that he made a fool of himself.

"He has never spoken a word to me since," said Fanny to her brother that
evening; "that is, not a word as to what occurred then. Of course it was
very embarrassing at first, though I don't think he minded it much. He
came after a day or two just the same as ever, and he almost made me
think that he had forgotten it."

"And he wasn't confused?"

"Not at all. He never is. The only difference is that I think he scolds
me more than he used to do."

"Scold you!"

"Oh dear, yes; he always scolded me if he thought there was anything
wrong, especially about giving the children holidays. But he does it now
more than ever."

"How do you bear it?"

"In a half-and-half sort of a way. I laugh at him, and then do as I'm
bid. He makes everybody do what he bids them at Clavering--except papa,
sometimes. But he scolds him, too. I heard him the other day in the
library."

"And did my father take it from him?"

"He did, in a sort of a way. I don't think papa likes him; but then he
knows, and we all know, that he is so good. He never spares himself in
anything. He has nothing but his curacy, and what he gives away is
wonderful."

"I hope he won't take to scolding me," said Harry, proudly.

"As you don't concern yourself about the parish, I should say that
you're safe. I suppose he thinks mamma does everything right, for he
never scolds her."

"There is no talk of his going away."

"None at all. I think we should all be sorry, because he does so much
good."

Florence reigned supreme in the estimation of the rectory family all the
evening of her arrival and till after breakfast the next morning, but
then the bride elect was restored to her natured preeminence. This,
however, lasted only for two days, after which the bride was taken away.
The wedding was very nice, and pretty, and comfortable; and the people
of Clavering were much better satisfied with it than they had been with
that other marriage which has been mentioned as having been celebrated
in Clavering Church. The rectory family was generally popular, and
everybody wished well to the daughter who was being given away. When
they were gone there was a breakfast at the rectory,