The girl, who, during her interview with her cousin, had sat motionless as a statue, now shook like an aspen leaf, and falling into the old man’s arms, she sobbed aloud. The Rector laid her gently down upon a sofa, but did not try to restrain her tears. Presently he kneeled down beside her, and said a few prayers which he deemed suitable to the occasion. This soothed her wounded spirit, and she was soon able to talk calmly and cheerfully to the old and faithful friend who had baptised her, and had been her spiritual father from childhood upwards, and whom, after her brothers and her father, she had loved more than anyone in the world. Mr. Elthorne, it is proper to mention here, was Evelyn’s guardian, and, as one of her father’s executors, was fully acquainted with the business matters of the family. He knew that Evelyn would have a bare £200 a-year to live upon, and the furniture of her own boudoir, ante-chamber, and bedroom, which had been her mother’s; for it had been a fad of the late Mr. Manwaring to make as many things as possible heirlooms, and these, of course, would now become the property of Mr. Tresham Potts. When the Rector heard what had passed between Evelyn and her cousin, his indignation knew no bounds, and he expressed a wish, which he certainly felt, that his peaceful profession did not admit of his administering the personal chastisement which Mr. Potts so richly deserved. As Evelyn’s guardian, however, he claimed the right to expostulate with him upon the indecency of his conduct, and to try to get him to forego his intention of remaining at the Manor, until such time as she was able to form plans for her future life, and to secure a new home. To this, however, Evelyn would not consent, asserting that the effort to entertain her cousin, who, after all, was within the letter of the law, would brace her up, and be of service in accustoming her to the new state of affairs which her brother Lionel’s death had entailed upon her. After a long and consoling talk, Mr. Elthorne took his leave, having first extracted from Evelyn a promise to come to the Rectory at the end of the time allotted for her remaining at the Manor, and he promised that Lucy would be to her as a sister, and that she would meet with the affection of a mother from his at present invalid and bed-ridden wife. CHAPTER XV. THE TREE IS RE-GRAFTED. EVELYN felt much comforted by the Rector’s visit and kindness, but she was not allowed to remain long alone, for the ringing of the door-bell speedily announced the arrival of Mr. Merivale, the family lawyer. This gentleman, also, expressed great indignation at the conduct of Mr. Tresham Potts, but he could see no remedy for it, for the property was undoubtedly entailed upon him on the failure of the male issue of the late owner.