gone on."

"My wonder," said Jenny, indignantly, "would be what right they had
to stop you. This was private interference, not from the Vicar or
the committee."

"But I am not a real visiting lady. I only go to help Cecil."

"I see; but why didn't you ask Julius what was right? He would have
told you."

"Oh, no, I could not."

"Why not?"

"It would seem like a complaint of Cecil. Besides--"

"Besides?"

"I don't think Julius is a Christian."

The startling announcement was made in so humble and mournful a
voice as almost to disarm Jenny's resentment; and before she had
recovered enough for a reply, she was called to take leave of her
parents.

Her brother was the professed object of her visit, and she was only
at the Hall because there was no accommodation at his lodgings, so
that she had no scruple in joining the early breakfast spread for
the Rector and his wife, so as to have the morning free for him; but
she found Julius alone, saying that his wife was tired after the
party; and to Jenny's offer to take her class, he replied, "Thank
you, it will be a great kindness if you will teach; but Rose has no
regular class. Teaching is not much in her line; and it is a pity
she should have to do it, but we have to make the most of the single
hour they allow us for godliness."

"Don't you utilize Mrs. Charnock? or is she not strong enough for
early hours?"

"Poor Anne! The truth is, I am afraid of her. I fancy all her
doctrine comes out of the Westminster Catechism."

"Could Calvinism be put in at seven years old? Would not it be a
pouring of stiff glue into a narrow-necked phial?"

"Result--nil."

"A few pure drops might got in--and you could give her books."

"It had struck me that it might be wholesome work for her; but the
children's good must stand first. And, timid and reserved as she
seems, she insisted on preaching at the work-room, so that Cecil had
to put a stop to it."

"Are you certain about that preaching?"

"Rose heard of it from Cecil herself."

"Did she ask what it amounted to?"

"I don't know; perhaps I had better find out. I remember it came
after that ride to Sirenwood. By the bye, Jenny, I wish Cecil could
be hindered from throwing herself into that oak of Broceliande!"

"Are not you so suspicious that you see the waving arms and magic
circles everywhere?"

"A friendship with any one here is so unnatural, that I can't but
think it a waving of hands boding no good.