"As to Mrs. Knox, I am not sure but we might prosecute her. Rely upon one thing, Janet: that she will not be very well welcomed at her beloved soirées for some long time to come." Janet looked at the fire and thought. Dr. Knox kept silence, that she might recover herself after the news. "I shall get well now," she said in a half-whisper. "I shall soon"--turning to him--"be able to take another situation. Do you think Mrs. Knox will give me a recommendation?" "Yes, that she will--when it's wanted," said he, with a queer smile. She sat in silence again, a tinge of colour in her face, and seeing fortunes in the fire. "Oh, the relief, the relief!" she murmured, slightly lifting her hands. "To feel that I may be at peace and fear nothing! I am very thankful to you, Dr. Knox, for all things." "Do you know what I think would do you good?" said Dr. Knox suddenly. "A drive. The day is so fine, the air so balmy: I am sure it would strengthen you. Will you go?" "If you please, sir. I do feel stronger, since you told me this." He went down and spoke to Miss Deveen. She heartily agreed: anything that would benefit the poor girl, she said; and the carriage was coming round to the door, for she had been thinking of going out herself. Cattledon could not oppose them, for she had stepped over to the curate's. "Would you very much mind--would you pardon me if I asked to be allowed to accompany her alone?" said Dr. Knox, hurriedly to Miss Deveen, as Janet was coming downstairs on Lettice's arm, dressed for the drive. Miss Deveen was taken by surprise. He spoke as though he were flurried, and she saw the red look on his face. "I can take care of her as perhaps no one else could," he added with a smile. "And I--I want to ask her a question, Miss Deveen." "I--think--I--understand you," she said, smiling back at him. "Well, you shall go. Miss Cattledon will talk of propriety, though, when she comes home, and be ready to snap us all up." And Cattledon was so. When she found Janet had been let go for a slow and easy drive, with no escort but Dr. Knox inside and the fat coachman on the box, she conjectured that Miss Deveen must have taken leave of her senses. Cattledon took up her station at the window to wait for their return, firing out words of temper every other second. The air must have done Janet good. She came in from the carriage on Dr. Knox's arm, her cheeks bright, her pretty eyes cast down, and looking quite another girl. "Have you put your question, Dr. Knox?" asked Miss Deveen, meeting him in the hall, while Janet came on. "Yes, and had it answered," he said brightly. "Thank you, dear Miss Deveen; I see we have your sympathies." She just took his hand in hers and squeezed it. It was the first day she had seen him, but she liked his face. Cattledon began upon Janet at once. If she felt well enough to start off on promiscuous drives, she must be well enough to see about a situation.