As you say, it is a compliment to matrimony.”

‘Mumble.

‘“Oh, but you must not repeat such a thing. Mr Harrison would not like it. He can’t bear to have his affairs spoken about.”

‘Then there was a change of subject; an inquiry after some poor person, I imagine. I heard Mrs Rose say –

‘“She has got a mucous membrane, I’m afraid, ma’am.”

‘A commiserating mumble.

‘“Not always fatal. I believe Mr Rose knew some cases that lived for years after it was discovered that they had a mucous membrane.” A pause. Then Mrs Rose spoke in a different tone.

‘“Are you sure, ma’am, there is no mistake about what he said?”

‘Mumble.

‘“Pray don’t be so observant, Mrs Munton; you find out too much. One can have no little secrets.”

‘The call broke up; and I heard Mrs Munton say in the passage, “I wish you joy, ma’am, with all my heart. There’s no use denying it; for I’ve seen all along what would happen.”

‘When I went in to dinner, I said to Mrs Rose –

‘“You’ve had Mrs Munton here, I think. Did she bring any news?” To my surprise, she bridled and simpered, and replied, “Oh, you must not ask, Mr Harrison: such foolish reports.”

‘I did not ask, as she seemed to wish me not, and I knew there were silly reports always about. Then I think she was vexed that I did not ask. Altogether she went on so strangely that I could not help looking at her; and then she took up a hand-screen, and held it between me and her. I really felt rather anxious.

‘“Are you not feeling well?” said I, innocently.

‘“Oh, thank you, I believe I’m quite well; only the room is rather warm, is it not?”

‘“Let me put the blinds down for you? the sun begins to have a good deal of power.” I drew down the blinds.

‘“You are so attentive, Mr Harrison. Mr Rose himself never did more for my little wishes than you do.”

‘“I wish I could do more – I wish I could show you how much I feel –” her kindness to John Brouncker, I was going to say; but I was just then called out to a patient. Before I went I turned back, and said –

‘“Take care of yourself, my dear Mrs Rose; you had better rest a little.”

‘“For your sake, I will,” said she, tenderly.

‘I did not care for whose sake she did it. Only I really thought she was not quite well, and required rest. I thought she was more affected than usual at tea-time; and could have been angry with her nonsensical ways once or twice, but that I knew the real goodness of her heart. She said she wished she had the power to sweeten my life as she could my tea. I told her what a comfort she had been during my late time of anxiety, and then I stole out to try if I could hear the evening singing at the vicarage, by standing close to the garden-wall.

Chapter XVIII

‘THE NEXT MORNING I met Mr Bullock by appointment, to talk a little about the legacy which was paid into his hands. As I was leaving his office, feeling full of my riches, I met Miss Horsman. She smiled rather grimly, and said:

‘“Oh! Mr Harrison, I must congratulate you, I believe. I don’t know whether I ought to have known, but as I do, I must wish you joy. A very nice little sum, too. I always said you would have money.”

‘So she had found out my legacy, had she? Well, it was no secret, and one likes the reputation of being a person of property. Accordingly I smiled, and said I was much obliged to her, and if I could alter the figures to my liking, she might congratulate me still more.

‘She said, “Oh, Mr Harrison, you can’t have everything. It would be better the other way, certainly. Money is the great thing, as you’ve found out. The relation died most opportunely, I must say.”

‘“He was no relative,” said I; “only an intimate friend.”

‘“Dear-ah-me! I thought it had been a brother! Well, at any rate, the legacy is safe.”

‘I wished her good morning, and passed on. Before long I was sent for to Miss Tomkinson’s.

‘Miss Tomkinson sat in severe state to receive me. I went in with an air of ease, because I always felt so uncomfortable.

‘“Is this true that I hear?” asked she, in an inquisitorial manner.

‘I thought she alluded to my five hundred pounds; so I smiled, and said that I believed it was.

‘“Can money be so great an object with you, Mr Harrison?” she asked again.

‘I said I had never cared much for money, except as an assistance to any plan of settling in life; and then, as I did not like her severe way of treating the subject, I said that I hoped every one was well; though of course I expected some one was ill, or I should not have been sent for.

‘Miss Tomkinson looked very grave and sad. Then she answered: “Caroline is very poorly – the old palpitations at the heart; but of course that is nothing to you.”

‘I said I was very sorry.