"And his name is Dancy, you say?" Phillis bowed. She was far too much taken up in her work to volunteer unnecessary words; and all this maternal fuss and fidget was odious to her. "Then I will go and call upon him this very afternoon," returned Archie, with cheerful alacrity. He had no idea that his curiosity on the subject was disagreeable to the girl: so he and Mrs. Challoner discussed the matter fully, and at some length. "I don't like the description of your mysterious stranger, Miss Challoner," he said, laughing, as he stood up to take his leave. "When novelists want to paint a villain, they generally bring in a long cloak and beard, and sometimes a disguising pair of blue spectacles. Well, I will catch him by daylight, and see what I can make of him." "You may disguise a face, but you cannot disguise a voice," returned Phillis, bluntly. "I do not want to see Mr. Dancy to know he is a gentleman and a true man." And this speech, that piqued Archie, though he did not know why, made him all the more bent on calling on Mrs. Williams's lodger. But Mr. Drummond's curiosity was destined to be baffled. Mrs. Williams turned very red when she heard the vicar's inquiries. "You never told me you had let your rooms," he said, reproachfully; "and yet you know I always make a practice of calling on your lodgers." "'Deed and it is very kind and thoughtful of you, too," returned the good woman, dropping an old-fashioned courtesy; "and me that prizes my clergyman's visits and thinks no end of them! But Mr. Dancy he says to me, 'Now, my good Mrs. Williams, I have come here for quiet,--for absolute quiet; and I do not want to see or hear of any one. Tell no tales about me, and leave me in peace; and then we shall get on together.' And it was more than I ventured to give you the hint, hearing him speak so positive; for he is a bit masterful, and no mistake." "Well, never mind; a clergyman never intrudes, and I will thank you to take Mr. Dancy my card," returned Archie, impatiently; but his look of assurance soon faded when Mrs. Williams returned with her lodger's compliments, and he was very much obliged to Mr. Drummond for his civility, but he did not wish to receive visitors. Phillis was a little contrary all the remainder of the day: she was not exactly cross,--all the Challoners were sweet-tempered,--but nothing quite suited her. Mrs. Challoner had proposed going that evening into the town with her youngest daughter to execute some commissions.