sion soothed him. At last he found
himself at a low wall, over which a stile led to a little woodland path.
It was the Rectory; who could mistake its trim neatness, the order
and elegance which pervaded all its arrangements? Taking this path, he
walked leisurely onward, till he came to a small flower-garden, into
which three windows opened, their sashes reaching to the ground. While
yet uncertain whether to advance or retire, he heard Ogden's sharp voice
from within the room. His tone was loud, and had the vibration of one
speaking in anger. "Even on your own showing, Millar, another reason for
getting rid of him. _You_ can't be ambitious, I take it, of newspaper
notoriety, or a controversy in the public papers. Now, Layton is the
very man to drag you into such a conflict. Ask for no explanations,
inquire for no reasons, but dismiss him by an act of your board. Your
colonel there is the chairman; he could n't refuse what you insist
upon, and the thing will be done without your prominence in it."

Millar murmured a reply, but Layton turned away without listening to it,
and made for the hall door. "Give this to your master," said he, handing
the letter to the servant, and turned away.

The last flickerings of twilight guided him down the steep path of the
cliff, and, wearied and tired, he reached home.

"What a wearisome day you must have had, Herbert!" said his wife, as she
stooped for the hat and cane he had thrown beside him on sitting down.

"I must n't complain, Grace," said he, with a sad sort of smile. "It is
the last of such fatigues."

"How, or what do you mean?" asked she, eagerly.

"I have given it up. I have resigned my charge of the dispensary. Don't
ask any reasons, girl," broke he in, hastily, "for I scarcely know them
myself. All I can tell you is, it is done."

"I have no doubt you were right, Herbert," began she. "I feel assured--"

"Do you? Then, by Heaven! you have a greater confidence in me than _I_
have in myself. I believe I was more than two parts drunk when I did it,
but doubtless the thought will sober me when I awake to-morrow morning;
till when, I do not mean to think of it."

"You have not eaten, I 'm sure."

"I cannot eat just yet, Grace; give me a cup of tea, and leave me. I
shall be better alone for a while."

CHAPTER XI. A REMITTANCE

"A letter,--a long letter from Alfred," said Layton's wife, as she
knocked at his door on the following morning. "It has been lying
for f