I cannot tell. It was not a time favourable to the analysis of feeling—still less of religious feeling. But somehow things did seem a little more endurable before I reached the house. I was passing across the hall, following the “white wolf” to Mr Stoddart’s room, when the drawing-room door opened, and Miss Oldcastle came half out, but seeing me drew back instantly. A moment after, however, I heard the sound of her dress following us. Light as was her step, every footfall seemed to be upon my heart. I did not dare to look round, for dread of seeing her turn away from me. I felt like one under a spell, or in an endless dream; but gladly would I have walked on for ever in hope, with that silken vortex of sound following me. Soon, however, it ceased. She had turned aside in some other direction, and I passed on to Mr Stoddart’s room. He received me kindly, as he always did; but his smile flickered uneasily. He seemed in some trouble, and yet pleased to see me. “I am glad you have taken to horseback,” I said. “It gives me hope that you will be my companion sometimes when I make a round of my parish. I should like you to see some of our people. You would find more in them to interest you than perhaps you would expect.” I thus tried to seem at ease, as I was far from feeling. “I am not so fond of riding as I used to be,” returned Mr Stoddart. “Did you like the Arab horses in India?” “Yes, after I got used to their careless ways. That horse you must have seen me on the other day, is very nearly a pure Arab. He belongs to Captain Everard, and carries Miss Oldcastle beautifully. I was quite sorry to take him from her, but it was her own doing. She would have me go with her. I think I have lost much firmness since I was ill.” “If the loss of firmness means the increase of kindness, I do not think you will have to lament it,” I answered. “Does Captain Everard make a long stay?” “He stays from day to day. I wish he would go. I don’t know what to do. Mrs Oldcastle and he form one party in the house; Miss Oldcastle and Judy another; and each is trying to gain me over. I don’t want to belong to either. If they would only let me alone!” “What do they want of you, Mr Stoddart?” “Mrs Oldcastle wants me to use my influence with Ethelwyn, to persuade her to behave differently to Captain Everard. The old lady has set her heart on their marriage, and Ethelwyn, though she dares not break with him, she is so much afraid of her mother, yet keeps him somehow at arm’s length. Then Judy is always begging me to stand up for her aunt. But what’s the use of my standing up for her if she won’t stand up for herself; she never says a word to me about it herself. It’s all Judy’s doing. How am I to know what she wants?” “I thought you said just now she asked you to ride with her?”