"Look you, little Oracle," said she, "I am not used to do anything by halves; I love my husband a great deal more than he deserves; but I am not going to pull long faces every time a woman of that sort makes a jest upon me. She could not understand me if I did. She has no delicacy herself, and does not know when to give other people credit for it. So now come back, and see what you can make of Everard. Captain Gage gives them all a very liberal allowance." CHAPTER XI. _Theo._ To this man, my fortune, My more than purblind fortune, gave my faith, Drawn to it by as many shows of service And signs of truth, as ever false tongue uttered: Heaven pardon all. LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. There was no public breakfast at Wardenscourt. People took that meal in their several rooms. Margaret was just giving Mason her simple directions, when in swam Mrs. Thompson, with Mrs. Gage's compliments, and "would Miss Capel breakfast with her in the Oratory?" Miss Capel was pleased to renew her acquaintance with Mrs. Thompson, who rustled about in a smarter silk, and finer cap then ever was seen before. She accepted the invitation, and sent the lady's-maid on to say so. The Oratory was a little octagon room, adjoining Harriet's bed-room, which she used as a boudoir. She could not help smiling at her friend's pertinacity; for there, reclining on a sofa, was Everard Gage, while Harriet looked triumphant from behind the urn. Mr. Gage was reading the paper by the window. "Come, Margaret, lose no time," said Harriet, with a distinct glance at Everard. Margaret took her speech literally, glided into a chair, and drew her plate towards her. Mr. Gage came to help her. "Everard!" said Harriet, "have you found the head we all think so like Miss Capel?" "No," said he, looking up from the 'Book of Beauty,' which he was turning over; "there is nothing here pretty enough." "Brava!" exclaimed Harriet; "we shall do." "Where do you think of going to-day?" said Mr. Gage to Margaret. She could not bring herself to mention the church at Tynebrook, but Harriet saved her the trouble. "Lucy thought of going to see Mr. Haveloc's new church," said Harriet. "I don't know whether it is settled, because if he is out, we shall have to find the beadle, or the sexton, or somebody, to show it us. But, to be sure, we can take Everard with us, to run about and find the proper people. I wonder when _you_ will grow good enough to build churches, Everard?" "I don't know. I must grow rich enough first," he said. Mr. Gage did not despise Mr. Haveloc for this fancy; he only pitied him. If he had spent so much that he had not enough left to buy a proper number of horses and carriages, then it would have been something to despise. But, as he had not deprived himself of any luxuries in the prosecution of his whim, he contented himself with the softer emotion of pity. "I suppose we shall not have you with us, George," said Harriet. "No."