“You had your suspicions, then, and are not sure that I am ready for canonising? Do you know I feel immensely relieved; suppose we celebrate this confession by tea? Would you ring the bell, Mr. Egerton?” “There is something I want to talk about, and as it's rather important, would you mind, Mrs. Arkwright, giving me a few minutes first? Tea is rather distracting.” “Composing, I find it--but as you please; is it the District Visitors, or the Nurses' Home, or the Children's Holiday, and is it money?” Mrs. Arkwright for some reason was very gracious. “No, it has nothing to do with the chapel. I wish to speak about... yourself.” “Yes?” and she looked curiously at him. “You remember that day when Mr. Arkwright committed you to my care, and I gave my word to.. “Do your best to look after a very troublesome woman,” Mrs. Arkwright interposed hurriedly; “it was a... risky task, and I thought you were far too hasty, and just a little presumptuous, in undertaking it, but you've been a very lenient guardian for your age. Have I done anything wrong?” “No, and you could not at any time in my eyes,”--Mrs. Arkwright made as though she would curtsey,--“but others might do wrong to you, and I have been anxious for some time. “Mr. Arkwright was afraid lest some unworthy man should admire you or desire your wealth, and... marry you, and your life be miserable. And he wished me to save you from this, and I promised to do my best.” “Well?” and her voice had begun to freeze. “I remember all that.” “It is difficult to speak about such things, but you know that I... would do anything to save you pain....” “Go on,” and now her eyes were fixed on the minister. “It came to my ears and I saw for myself that one whom I knew slightly and did not like was paying you attentions, and it might be, as I also heard, was favoured by you. So it seemed my duty to make enquiries about Mr. Crashaw.” “And?” “There is nothing against his character, and I have heard much good of him--that he has cultured tastes and is very well liked by those who know him; personally we could never be friends, for various reasons, but he... is not unworthy to be the husband of... a good woman. That is all I have to say”; and the saying of it was plainly very hard to the minister. “You recommend me to marry Mr. Crashaw, if that gentleman should do me the honour to ask my hand, or do you propose to suggest this step to him, so as to complete your duty as guardian?” Mrs. Arkwright was now standing and regarding Egerton with fierce scorn. “My information seemed to me reliable”--he was also standing, white and pained--“and I thought it would help you in that case to know what I have told you, when you came to decide.” “If I knew who told you such falsehoods, I would never speak to them again, and I would make them suffer for their words. Mr. Crashaw! and it was to that cynical, worldly, supercilious tailor's block you were to marry me. What ill have I done you?”