Margaret Vincent

while. I couldn't bear the presence even of that dear child." Her listener fidgeted a little, but said nothing. "G

ht, and so did I." There was a shade of impatie

ion of comedy. "I would have stuck to you through anything else," she said, with a shake of her head and a

ite

next get a great pull over us. You see it's goi

ed: this sort of jok

heart and bring a scandal on the diocese; I was obli

answered; "and, to be frank, I think it w

ough." Mr. Vincent remembered Sir George Stringer's remark, and said nothing. "Perhaps I should have been more eager if I had known-and yet I don't think I could have borne it; I don't think I could have spent a summer ther

s to kiss her if he still knew how-she doubted it. But he made no sign, he sat quite still, while sh

n't take the house, then,"

ent what to do with this wooden man, who seemed in

he is like," sh

hink I am good at describing people,"

host of a mocking tone that would come into her voice-"a dear, good, useful creature, a

y comfortable," he an

" she asked, with a possibility of

e it to her and to Hannah. Hannah i

ry different from you

ot-I never saw him." His manner w

aid, after a moment's hesitatio

t question," he said; "but, since you have done so, I will certainly tell

s again; "I feel that you have never for

th each other years ago. You married another man, and presumably you were very happy with him

l, smouldering fire; it had been allowed to g

if you are anything more than superior animals. Shake hands, old boy, and let us be friends. We are middle-aged people, both of us. Lo

distinctly relieved. "Now perhaps you'll t

She checked the last word and finished it with a gasp. "Awful pity, you know,

t is, on t

of his health; it sounds

then he added, slowly, for he always disliked making any st

pproval. But he was unresponsive to this, too. "Of cou

n. But before he could speak the c

e waiting for you." She went up to Mr. Vincent and held out her hand. "I have heard so much of you," she said, with perfect sel

hter, I suppose?"

s. Lakeman thought; he always made

there was a thrill in her voice; but still he failed to respond. He looked at them both with a little

was a perfect idiot, she thought. "G

intense looks as she turned away. "Do come,

ated him too, and he wanted to get out of the house. Mrs. Lakeman made a step towards the curtains through which her daughter had disapp

hink she is," he said, slowly. "She has the same ey

m a cloth was spread over the oak table in the middle of the room, a loaf and a large pat of butter, a substantial cake, jam, and such other things as might help to make a serviceable meal were set out. Occasionally a savory dish of ham and eggs appeared, or of chi

know what it has been to me to see you," and she kissed her on either cheek. "Yo

, if she w

friends. And you and I," she said, with deeper feeling

smile, in which there had always been a charm. It went to her heart and made her a

all the pleasure in the world. But he's so abominably good that he will pr

and stay there some day?"

, and because she couldn't help it; "I don't know why it is,

and, but she rubbed her shoulder against his in sheer sympathy. A hanso