"Surely that was not wicked. Indeed, if it had been, Mr. Gilmour would never have asked me to do it; he is so good. Even old Miss Chatterton owns that, and is about to send for a niece to pay her a long visit, because she is pre-eminently fitted for a poor clergyman's wife. She can make sixpence go farther than anybody else's shilling, and has had enormous experience in district visiting and the management of a clothing club. Miss Chatterton thinks Mr. Gilmour should have a wife—in case he should be made a bishop, you know, dear." Elsie's face was brimming over with fun. All the softness had fled, and mischief was now written thereon in prominent characters. The mother pictured Miss Chatterton's niece as a youthful copy of her aunt, and thought how such a one would mate with Douglass Gilmour. The result was a hearty laugh, and Elsie's triumph. She liked to appeal to Mrs. Manning's strong sense of humour, and used it for her own ends. "But, Elsie darling, putting aside Miss Chatterton." "Most willingly, mother, and her plans for Mr. Gilmour, to which I really believe he would object, if he knew about them." "Do be serious, Elsie, I want to talk of yourself, not of Miss Chatterton." Elsie manifested immediate alacrity, and suggested that the change would be an improvement. "Dear, it is about Mr. Gilmour, also." "A further improvement, he being so much better than I am and feel I ought to be. He is always trying to influence me for good—I am afraid with but little success so far. You may trust him, mother." "I do, darling; but I want you to be a wise child, and give no one cause to say a harsh word of you. Remember, the eyes of the parish and congregation are always on a young clergyman. For his Master's sake, as well as for his own, he must give no occasion for fault-finding." "I know, mother, and so does Mr. Gilmour, and acts upon it." "Mind you do not let Miss Chatterton have cause to talk about any of your doings, my child. She represents a little world." "I only wish I could 'let or hinder' Miss Chatterton's tongue from running so fast about everything and everybody. She says it is because she 'feels such an interest in young people.' I wish she would manifest a higher principle instead of so much interest. However, if it will comfort you to know it, Miss Chatterton did not see me at the gate to-day." "Elsie, Elsie, you are incorrigible. You know what I mean. Dear love, do not allow Mr. Gilmour or any one to think you forward." "He does not, mother," and the soft pink deepened into an indignant flush on Elsie's cheek and brow. "It is for the man to seek—" "He does, mother." "For the girl to let herself be followed and—" "I do, dear," interrupted Elsie, and mischief had evidently resumed her reign and mastered the feeling which at first threatened rebellion.