"Not lately, mamma," said the girl. She put her arms round the little figure, and, with infinite pity, drew it towards her. Madam Carroll at first resisted; then the tense muscles relaxed, and she let her head rest against her daughter's breast. The lashes fell over her bright, dry eyes. "You will never be able to keep it up," she murmured, after a moment, her eyes still closed. "Yes, I shall, mamma." "Never, never." "I could do a great deal more for my dear father's sake," answered the girl, after a short hesitation. Madam Carroll began to sob. "I have been a good wife to him, Sara," she murmured, appealingly, piteously. "Indeed you have, mamma. You are all his happiness, all his life; he could not live without you. But you ought to rest; let me go with you up-stairs." "I must go alone," answered Madam Carroll. She had repressed her sobs, but her breath still came and went unevenly. "It is not that I am angry, Sara; do not think that. I was--but it has passed; I am quite reasonable now--as you see. But, for a little while, I must be alone, quite alone." She left the room with her usual quick, light step. After she had gone, Sara stood for a few moments with her hands clasped over her eyes. Then she went to the library. Scar was playing dominoes, Roland against Bayard; and the Major was watching the game. His daughter bent her head, and kissed his forehead; then she sat down beside him, holding his hand in hers, and stroking it tenderly. "Well, my daughter, you seem to think a good deal of me to-day," said the old man, smiling. "Not only to-day, but always, papa--always," answered the girl, with emotion. "Roland is very dull this morning," said the Major, explaining the situation. "He has lost three games, and is going to lose a fourth." CHAPTER VI. Far Edgerley was deprived of its rector. Mr. Owen had gone to the coast to attend the Diocesan Convention. But as he had started more than a week before the time of its opening, and had remained a week after its sessions were ended, Mrs. General Hibbard was of the opinion that he was attending to other things as well. She had, indeed, heard a rumor before he came that there was _some one_ (some one in whom he felt an interest) elsewhere. Now it is well known that there is nothing more depressing for a parish than a rector with an interest, large or small, "elsewhere." St. John in the Wilderness was therefore much relieved when its rector returned, with no signs of having left any portion of himself or his interest behind him. And Mrs. General Hibbard lost ground.