"Our engagement was broken off solely for lack of means," he continued. Her eyes dropped. "Now that that obstacle is removed I have come to ask you, to beg you most earnestly to renew it." "It is very good of you," she said almost inaudibly. "I appreciate your--kindness." He saw that she was going to refuse him. But he was prepared for that contingency. It was a natural feminine method of readjusting the balance between them. He would certainly give her the opportunity. He owed it to her. Besides, the refusal would not be final. He knew from her relations that she still loved him. "If your feeling towards me is unchanged will you marry me?" The door opened, and the footman announced "Mr. Thomson." The new curate came slowly into the room, his short-sighted eyes peering about him, a little faggot of papers girdled by an elastic band, clasped in his careful hand against his breast. Magdalen started violently, and Lord Lossiemouth experienced a furious exasperation. Magdalen mechanically introduced the two men to each other, and they all three sat down, with the same sudden automatic precision as when Bessie had been present. "The days are beginning to lengthen already," said Mr. Thomson. "I have noticed it, especially the last few days, and the rooks are clamourous--very clamourous." "It was to be expected," faltered Magdalen. "The accounts are, I am glad to say, in perfect order. I am proud to add, though I fear a statement so unusual may lay me open to a charge of romancing, that we have a small balance in hand." How he had looked forward to saying these words. With what a flash of surprised delight he had expected this astounding, this gratifying announcement would be received. He paused a moment to let his words sink in--evidently Miss Bellairs had not heard. "Three pounds five and nine," he said. "It is wonderful," said Magdalen emphatically. "Quite wonderful. I never heard of a boot-and-shoe club which was not in debt. Have you?" And she turned to Lord Lossiemouth. But Lord Lossiemouth's temper was absent. He found the situation intolerable. He only answered, "Never." "Bessie is waiting to hear all about it in the schoolroom," continued Magdalen. "I have asked her to go over the papers with you. She will be as surprised and delighted as I am. Shall we go and tell her?" And without waiting for an answer she rose and led the way to the schoolroom, followed by Mr. Thomson. Bessie was sitting alone there, staring in front of her, paralysed by Lord Lossiemouth's arrival, and indignant at the possibility that Magdalen might marry that "horrid old thing," who was not the least like the charming photograph of him in her sister's album. However, she grasped the situation, and after an imploring glance from Magdalen, grappled with all her might with the boot-and-shoe club.