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care she took to avoid any expression of wonder, or interest, or affection to do or say nothing which could shock or surprise him- was the result of a selfcontrol, which in another person might have been the preparation for martyrdom. And yet she offended, quite unknowingly, quite inadvertently, and very frequently, and was so conscience-stricken in consequence-so very penitent - the burden would really have been too great but for the power of confessing to her brother. Dr. Kingsbury never transgressed -nothing that he ever said or did excited the courteous sneer which thrilled through poor Mrs. Patty's veins, like a blast from an iceberg: but then, as Mrs. Patty once observed to Faith-taking a personal rather than a theological view of her brother's character-The Doctor was born to go straight to heaven, with no one to stop him-not even Mr. Cameron.'

It was an infinite relief to her to be told, on the fourth day of absence from the Hall, that Mr. Cameron was not only as usual gone up to London, but was likely to remain in town that night. She had then the whole day before her, and might manage her business in the village, and enquire for Myra as late as she liked without any fear of being thought intrusive; and for once Mrs. Patty even considered it might be possible to leave the Doctor to drink tea alone, if Faith would but take care that his toast was buttered upon one side only. 'Too much butter was so very bad for him; and he was so absent, he ate whatever was given him, and might kill himself any day with new bread, and never be a bit the wiser.'

'You won't let your tea be too strong, Doctor, dear?' was her last admonition, ass he fidgeted about in his study, wishing to make quite sure that everything was just as it should be, and that whilst she was gone he could not possibly need anything which she could get for him.

'Faith can make it,' said the Doctor, without looking up from his book.

'Yes, Faith can make it; but I fancied you might not like that.'

'I like anything, my dear. Are you going now?' The Doctor was just then very deep in thought. 'And you won't worry yourself if I am not home before half-past nine? I may be, but if they should want me it might be awkward to come away.'

'Stay as long as you like, my dear, and' - Dr. Kingsbury looked up and smiled - ' tell the little girl to get well as soon as she can.'

'And to come and see you,' added Mrs. Patty. 'Ah, Doctor, dear, she likes that; so do most people.'

The Doctor put up his hand, twisted his brown wig, settled his spectacles, and looking at Mrs. Patty with his head a little upraised, said simply, 'Patty, you talk nonsense;' and then he returned to his book, and Mrs. Patty went her way to the Hall.

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CHAPTER VI.

YRA is really better, dear Mrs. Patty,' said Mrs. Cameron, as the butler announced Miss Kingsbury; 'she has left me free to-day, and so you see I am resting.'

Mrs. Cameron generally was resting; she was not strong, and really needed rest; but the occasion present was always, in her own eyes, an exception to the general rule of exertion.

'Won't you sit down?' she continued, pointing to one of the many luxurious chairs with which the boudoir was furnished.

'I should never be likely to get up again, if I did,' said Mrs. Patty, drawing near the sofa, 'and I am not tired, thank you; I have only been into the village and back to-day.'

'Ah! you are such a Hercules, and so benevolent. My poor little Myra has taken up a great deal of my time, Mrs. Patty, and my thoughts too, I may say. Do sit down; it will make me more comfortable.'

Mrs. Patty sat down, though with evident unwillingness.

'Mr. Cameron is gone to town; he won't return to-night. I dare say the servants have told you ; and perhaps it may be better he should not; he rather frightens poor Myra.'

'No doubt,' escaped unconsciously from Mrs. Patty's lips.

'And she is a trouble; she has been a great trouble to us always. Mr. Cameron feels this; he is very considerate. We have been talking a good deal about Myra. This illness has been quite brought on by her own wilfulness; and at her age-she will be sixteen next month it is too childish. I could not have imagined it possible; now could you, dear Mrs. Patty?'

'No, indeed,' was Mrs. Patty's earnest reply. Myra had been to her for years an unsolved problem.

'And when she has been treated quite like a grownup girl,' continued Mrs. Cameron; 'brought forward as the eldest of my own children - even confirmed. You know we had her confirmed last year, when we were at Hastings, because we thought it might help to make her more of a woman in her ways and tone of mind.'

It was a new view of the object of Confirmation, but Mrs. Patty only said, 'The Doctor was sorry she was confirmed away from home.'

Ah! he was very good and thoughtful for her; but you see the opportunity came; Elise Verney was there, and she was a companion, and there were two or three other young people about the same age, and as it was to be done, it was as well it should be when there were several of them together. And then the Bishop was not likely to be here for another year altogether, I knew dear Dr. Kingsbury would understand; and, as I said before, I did hope that the examination, and the ceremony, and the whole thing would have made an impression - but I cannot see that it did.'

'When I was young, observed Mrs. Patty, 'I remember I never liked to tell anybody what made an impression upon me. So, perhaps, Myra thought more of her confirmation than you imagine.'

'Perhaps so; no one can tell. But to confess the truth, I have been disappointed, and so has Mr. Cameron, and he is not a man to be trifled with; in fact, things can't go on as they are.' Mrs. Cameron looked so mysterious, that terrible visions of threats and punishments floated through Mrs. Patty's brain. 'I should not have mentioned the subject, except to prepare you,' continued Mrs. Cameron. 'You will find Myra much distressed. Her father has been talking to her.'

Mrs. Patty rose suddenly from her seat: 'Perhaps I might go to her; I can find my way, and I shall knock very gently indeed I won't disturb her.'

'Oh, no, you never can disturb anyone! Would it trouble you to move that screen, so as to shade my eyes? And I beg ten thousand pardons-but, if you could just ring the bell for me, I can't stretch my arm far enough; my coffee must be ready, and I really feel quite exhausted. Poor little Myra, she is too much for me always! We shall expect you to stay to tea, dear Mrs. Patty; or will you have anything now?'

The present invitation was declined, the future left uncertain. Mrs. Cameron ordered her coffee; and Mrs. Patty found her way up the soft-carpeted

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