Thus had passed a year uneventful and peaceable, with visits from Hubert whenever he had a day or two to spare. They were looked forward to with delight; but if there were a drawback it was in Vera’s viewing him partly as one who held her in a sort of chain, and partly as one whom it was pleasant to tease by allowing little casual civilities from Wilfred Merrifield. For Wilfred was an embarrassment to his family. He had never been strong, his public school career had been shortened by failure in health, and headaches in the summer, and coughs in the winter made it needful to keep him at home, and trust to cramming at Rockstone, enforced by his father’s stern discipline and his mother’s authoritative influence. Thus he was always within reach of the mild social gaieties in which each family indulged, and Vera was not quite so ready as were his sisters to contrast unfavourably his hatred of all self-improvement with Hubert Delrio’s eagerness to pick up every crumb of information, thus deservedly getting on well in his profession. One morning, at breakfast, Hubert opened a letter and made a sudden exclamation; and in answer to Vera’s vehement inquiry said, “It seems that the great millionaire swell, Pettifer—is that his name?” “Oh, yes, he was at Rock Quay.” “Well, he went to see St. Kenelm’s, fell in love with the ceiling, and offered Pratt and Pavis any sum they like to decorate a huge new hall he is building in the same style. So they write to propose to me to come and do it, with a promise of future work, at any terms I like to ask.” “Oh! but that’s jolly,” cried Vera. “Can’t you?” “No,” he said; “this is immediate, and I have two churches, reredos and walls, on my hands, enough to last me all the year. Nor could I throw over Eccles and Beamster.” “Is there an agreement with them?” asked Magdalen. “Not regularly; but Mr. Eccles has been very kind to me, and promised me employment for four years to come; in fact, he has made engagements on that understanding.” “I see,” said Magdalen. “You could not break with them.” “Certainly not. Nor do I entirely like the line of this other house. It is a good deal more secular.” “And you have dedicated your talents to the Church!” cried Paulina. “Not that exactly, Paula,” he said, smiling; “but I had rather work for the Church, so I am glad the matter is definitely settled for me.” To that he kept, though he had a very kind letter from Mr. Eccles, who had evidently been applied to, wishing not to stand in his light, especially as he was engaged to be married, and telling him how it might be possible to fairly compensate for the loss to the firm. Between the lines, however, it was plain that it would be a great blow, only possible because the agreement had been neglected; and Hubert was only the more determined, out of gratitude for the generosity, not to break what he felt to be an implied pledge; and all the sisters sympathised with his determination.