"Inquisitress," whispered Fulvia simultaneously with Nigel's— "No." "But why?" "Really, Anice; if he had a fancy to go round, I don't see that it is our business." "No—only—after a whole year away, I should have thought he would have chosen the quickest way home." "Would, could, might, and ought are often mistaken," asserted Fulvia. "Fulvia is right. I had a fancy to go round," said Nigel, and for a moment he was strongly tempted to say no more. But an explanation was expected; his call at the Rectory was sure to become known; he disliked needless mysteries, and his habitual openness won the day. With scarcely a break, he went on—"A fancy to look at old haunts by gaslight. I walked some distance." "Which way?" asked the persistent Anice. "By Church Square." "To the Elveys'?" Mrs. Browning bit her lip nervously. "Not intending to see them, mother. It was as I say—a fancy to take a look. I fully meant to be here as soon as Pollard; but I met Mr. Elvey, and he persuaded me to go in for five minutes." Fulvia's brows were knitted, yet she laughed. "I don't see why you should not. The Elveys always were great cronies of yours." "No—only—one would have thought," murmured Anice. "Yes, of course they are old friends. Only—to put them before us—" "You goose!" exclaimed Fulvia angrily. "As if there were any putting before or behind in the question! I don't see, for my part, how Nigel could well help going in, when Mr. Elvey met him. How can you be so absurd!" Anice's eyes filled with ready tears, and she gazed dolorously on the carpet; yet distressed as she might be at Fulvia's blame, her distress did not prevent a renewed faint mutter of—"Before his mother and sisters!" Nigel took the matter into his own hands. He looked straight at Anice, speaking with a readiness and decision which impressed them all. They knew from that moment that the brother who had gone away a boy had come back a man. "You are unjust, Anice. I have told you that I had no idea of calling at the Rectory. Surely that is enough. Why must you make a mountain of a molehill?" Anice sighed plaintively, as if to declare that she was silenced but not convinced; and Mrs. Browning said nothing. "Do you think my father would like to see me now?" Nigel asked. CHAPTER IV FULVIA'S RESOLVE "Be thou still! Vainly all thy words are spoken; Till the word of God hath broken Life's dark mysteries—good or ill— Be thou still!"—_Shadow of the Rock._ THIS caused a move. Nigel vanished, not to return for some time, and when he did, Fulvia thought he looked anxious. But nothing was said, and nobody asked what he thought of Mr. Browning. Prayers over, the younger girls retired, and Mrs. Browning prepared to follow. Something in the constrained tone of her "Good-night," drew from Nigel an apologetic—"You didn't really mind so much, mother?" The muscles of her white throat worked visibly, her voice failing when she tried to speak.