'It will all come right now,' said Bessie. 'Mrs Arthuret spoke of their going away for the winter; I do not think it will be a bad plan, for then we can start quite fresh with them; and the intimacy with the Myttons will be broken, though I am sorry for the poor girls. They have no harm in them, and Arthurine was doing them good.' 'A whisper to you, Miss Merrifield--they are going back with me, to be prepared for governesses at Arthurine's expense. It is the only thing for them in the crash that young man has brought on the family.' 'Dear, good Arthurine! She only needed to learn how to carry her cup.' MRS. BATSEYES I. FATHER AND DAUGHTER SCENE.--THE DRAWING-ROOM OF DARKGLADE VICARAGE. MR. AVELAND, AN ELDERLY CLERGYMAN. MRS. MOLDWARP, WIDOW ON THE VERGE OF MIDDLE AGE. MR. A. So, my dear good child, you will come back to me, and do what you can for the lonely old man! MRS. M. I know nothing can really make up-- MR. A. Ah! my dear, you know only too well by your own experience, but if any one could, it would be you. And at least you will let nothing drop in the parish work. You and Cicely together will be able to take that up when Euphrasia is gone too. MRS. M. It will be delightful to me to come back to it! You know I was to the manner born. Nothing seems to be so natural! MR. A. I am only afraid you are giving up a great deal. I don't know that I could accept it--except for the parish and these poor children. MRS. M. Now, dear father, you are not to talk so! Is not this my home, my first home, and though it has lost its very dearest centre, what can be so dear to me when my own has long been broken? MR. A. But the young folks--young Londoners are apt to feel such a change a great sacrifice. MRS. M. Lucius always longs to be here whenever he is on shore, and Cicely. Oh! it will be so good for Cicely to be with you, dear father. I know some day you will be able to enjoy her. And I do look forward to having her to myself, as I have never had before since she was a little creature in the nursery. It is so fortunate that I had not closed the treaty for the house at Brompton, so that I can come whenever Phrasie decides on leaving you. MR. A. And she must not be long delayed. She and Holland have waited for each other quite long enough. Your dear mother begged that there should be no delay; and neither you nor I, Mary, could bear to shorten the time of happiness together that may be granted them. She will have no scruple about leaving George's children now you and Cicely will see to them--poor little things! MRS. M. Cicely has always longed for a sphere, and between the children and the parish she will be quite happy. You need have no fears for her, father! II. BROTHER AND SISTER SCENE--THE BROAD WALK UNDER THE VICARAGE GARDEN WALL, LUCIUS MOLDWARP, A LIEUTENANT IN THE NAVY. CICELY MOLDWARP. C. Isn't it disgusting, Lucius? L. What is? C. This proceeding of the mother's.